"We're having a good time here!" Perkins exclaimed.
Board members satisfied themselves that the statue would call for limited maintenance and that Zappa was a true cultural native son.
"He's part of a rich history of musicians from Baltimore, some of whom the general public doesn't know about," panelist Steve Ziger said.
Ziger suggested making the monument part of a collection of similarly themed sculptures. Others suggested the cultural corridor near the Washington Monument, green space near the Baltimore Museum of Art and the North Station Arts District as possible sites. Panelists also supported the idea of a commemorative concert when the statue is unveiled.
As the credits on the film rolled, and the general applause died down, Paukstys and his interpreter, Arturas Baublys, who return to Lithuania today, said they could have the already completed statue packed and ready for shipping within 10 days.
"The only risk I see in Baltimore," Baublys said, "is the seagulls. That could be a problem. Otherwise, we couldn't be more thrilled."
jonathan.pitts@baltsun.com
Zappa timeline
1940: Frank Vincent Zappa is born in Baltimore on Dec. 21.
1964: The first edition of Zappa's long-running group, the Mothers - later the Mothers of Invention - performs in California.
1973: Over-nite Sensation by the Mothers becomes one of Zappa's most popular albums.
1974: Apostrophe becomes Zappa's second consecutive gold album.
1981: Zappa releases four albums on one day, May 11 - Tinseltown Rebellion, Shut Up `N Play Yer Guitar, Shut Up `N Play Yer Guitar Some More and Return of the Son of Shut Up `N Play Yer Guitar.
1982: "Valley Girl," co-written by Zappa and his daughter Moon Unit, enters the Top 40 and later peaks at No. 2.
1985: Frank Zappa testifies before a Senate committee against efforts by the Parents Music Resource Center, co-founded by Tipper Gore, to have warning labels placed on albums marketed to children.
1988: The album Jazz from Hell wins Zappa a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental.
1993: Frank Zappa, 52, dies of prostate cancer on Dec. 4.
1995: Frank Zappa is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for a recording career that included 60 albums.
Source: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
