POP/ROCK - Nov. 8, 1991

Zappa Ill: Frank Zappa’s family announced Thursday in New York that the musician is ill with prostate cancer and could not attend a belated 50th birthday tribute beginning Thursday night at the Ritz. “He is fighting (the cancer) successfully,” said his daughter, Moon. “There are occasional periods where he’s not feeling as well. Unfortunately, this is one.” Until now, Zappa and his aides would not respond to questions about the musician’s illness.