DECEMBER 10, 1971 – Playing the first of two nights at London’s Rainbow Theatre, in England, Frank Zappa was pushed off stage by a fan’s jealous boyfriend Trevor Howell. Zappa fell onto the concrete-floored orchestra pit – the band thought Zappa had been killed. He suffered serious fractures, head trauma and injuries to his back, leg, and neck, as well as a crushed larynx, which ultimately caused his voice to drop a third after healing. This accident resulted in him using a wheelchair for an extended period, forcing him off the road for over half a year.
