It was reported today on Zappateers that original Mothers of Invention/Rhinocheros/Tim Buckley and 60s session drummer Billy Mundi passed away 29th March 2014. He was 71. After the 70s, Billy went away from the music scene, and kept a private life, but according to those who were still in touch with him, he was diabetic and he had a leg amputated for this, even though he was still playing on a special set. According to his profile page on Zappa's United-Mutations website, at one point, Billy was writing a book about his carreer, which was to be called "Sideman". Unfortunately, to my knowledge, it never came out. If you like the swing/jazzier stuff on the early Mothers of Invention albums... well, that was Billy. I always prefeered the way Mundi handled the drums on "King Kong" than Tripp. He gave the song a jazzier feel, which made it sound more majestic. He plays on "Absolutely Free" (the left-panned drums), most of "We're Only In It For The Money" (the original non-overdubbed version) and on some of "Uncle Meat". This page here lists all of Billy's credited performances. If you click on the link, you can also see pictures of Billy 10 years ago.
IIRC, I saw Mr. Mundi backing up Geoff Muldaur @ Amazingrace in Evanston, IL in 1976, opening for Leon Redbone. A great evening. RIP.
