Where Yellow Turns
To Gold!
in the great music city
of Cleveland, Ohio
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The True Inside Story of Mab Zab LTD.
Mab Zab Ltd. Was founded in 1973 by Mick Butter (aka
Jim Butterfield) and Bryant Zowie (aka Bryan Gallagher).
Mick and Bryant were mere teenagers at the time, but their vision
was for a music and entertainment empire that would revolutionize the
world. That lofty goal has
been attained. The birth of
Mab Zab commemorates the founding of a musical band (called “Mab Zab”)
by the two young men. Mick
played guitar and Bryant played bass.
They realized that would need a drummer, so they invited the only
drummer they knew, Junior Hayes, to join the band.
Junior accepted, but never showed up for a rehearsal, and has
never attended a Mab Zab function.
Thus, Junior is considered a founding member of the musical band
Mab Zab, but not the world-famous entertainment conglomerate, Mab Zab
Ltd. The boys realized early on that the first thing that
an entertainment behemoth such as Mab Zab should do is throw big
parties, and bestow awards upon its members.
Thus was the birth of the annual Mab Zab Extravaganza and Awards
Ceremony. The Big Banana The Big Banana is the omnipotent leader of Mab Zab
Ltd. Though he has never
been photographed, or seen in public, he guides the central Mab Zab
leadership by directing all policy and corporate culture at Mab Zab Ltd. The Big Banana has homes in Cleveland, Florida,
Acapulco, Singapore and the French Riviera.
At the “ripe” old age of 48 (that’s 63.5 in people years) The BB
is careful to stay out of the cold, while constantly avoiding too much
sun exposure (bad for the peel).
Although he never appears in public, both Bryant Zowie and Mick
Butter meet with him regularly.
He annually reviews the nominees and winners for the Zabby Awards
with them. It is believed
that he has a special sensitivity to light because he has never been
seen sans sunglasses. Below
is an artist’s rendition of the Big Banana.
Extravaganzas Every February since 1976 Mab Zab Ltd. Has held an
Extravaganza and Awards ceremony, commemorating the 1973 founding.
The early Extravaganzas used the moniker “centennial” because the
whole country was Bicentennial-crazy in 1976.
Thus, the early 'ganzas were titled Tricentennial,
Quadcentennial, etc. The event is usually held on the Saturday of
Presidents’ Day weekend with a few notable exceptions as listed: On February 13th, if it is a Friday If it is a leap year, and February 29th is a Friday
or Saturday, then the Extravaganza is on the 29th On any other Friday or Saturday in February if The
Big Banana feels like it and announces it at least 30 days in advance The attendance at Extravaganzas has varied wildly
over the years, with some drawing as few as 15 guests, while others
(usually on landmark anniversaries such as 10 or 25 years) drawing over
100 attendees. Venues for the events have varied, usually based on the
current home location of Banana Records President Jim Butterfield.
Early Extravaganzas were always held at the childhood home of
Butterfield…..The Butter Mansion.
Most 'ganzas have been held in the Greater Cleveland, Ohio area.
Other sites have included: Cocoa Beach, FL and Hackettstown, NJ.
The festivities always include some musical
entertainment, mostly by Banana Records artists.
Some non-Banana musical acts have also performed at Extravaganzas
including The Pop Tarts, The Tree Toads, and Jimmy Armstrong (The Pony
Boys). Zabby Awards Each year awards are presented in various categories
(many musical) as voted-on by the members of Mab Zab in good-standing.
These categories were first selected by Mab Zab charter member
Terry Gallagher in 1976.
These categories have evolved slightly over the years, but most of
Terry’s original categories remain.
The Zabby Award for “Most Extravagant Lifestyle” is highly
coveted and has been won numerous times by some long-time Mab Zabbers.
The standard award MEL is supplemented by a special “Marble
Banana” that the winner may keep and display until the next
Extravaganza. The awards themselves vary from year-to-year.
Historically they have been designed by Bryant Zowie and his
beautiful wife, Leen. Below
are samples of the awards over the years.
Winners in each category are determined by popular
vote of Mab Zab members in good-standing.
In the early days, ballots were distributed to all members and
votes were tabulated by Mick and Bryant.
In recent years, some day-of-extravaganza voting was conducted,
and in some cases nobody was quite sure how the winners were determined.
The important thing is that The Big Banana himself audits all
Zabby voting and he deems the results “Well and Good” before a single
Zabby is awarded. Mab Zab Newsletter While most of the Mab Zab charter members were away
at college (~1975-1979) Jim Butterfield published a monthly newsletter
titled “The Mab Zab Newsletter” that was sent to all Mab Zabbers in good
standing. The newsletter
was distributed regularly until the early 1980s and over 50 editions
were published. Back in the
day it was considered a very high honor to have your picture on the
cover.
The Mab Zab Newsletter - you weren't anyone until you were
IN IT.
All Contents © Mab Zab Ltd.,
2023. Content may be reproduced or shared with permission only.
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