Jim Sherwood, Saxophonist in Zappa’s Mothers of Invention, Dies at 69

The original saxophonist in Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention, Jim Sherwood, died on Christmas day.

Sherwood, also called “Motorhead” by band mates, was a classically trained musician, who played baritone and tenor saxophone. Sherwood laid down the percussion and vocals to Mothers of Invention’s first psychedelic records, including Freak Out! and Cruising with Ruben & the Jets.

In 1968, Zappa commented about Sherwood to Rolling Stone Magazine, saying…

“Euclid James ‘Motorhead’ Sherwood I’ve known for 12 years. We were in high school in Lancaster together. He used to play baritone sax in the Omens. He has the ability to perform a dance known as the bug, which resembles an epileptic fit. He’s one of those guys you say, “I know this guy who’s really weird and I want to show him to you.” He was our equipment handler for a while and when we started the atrocities we started handing him our instruments to see what would happen. He played things more imaginative than the proficient musicians could lay down. It was just him against the machine in his mouth, a saxophone. He is also very proficient at dolls and visual aids.”

Cause of death has yet to be determined.

Check out Jim “Motorhead” Sherwood in some songs from Mothers of Invention’s Freak Out!

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