Avant-garde rock legend and visual artist Don Van Vliet, who performed under the name Captain Beefheart, passed away today at age 69. Read the full post.
Dec 17
2010
04:45 PM ET
Captain Beefheart, a.k.a. Don Van Vliet, dies at 69
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So I just read every anti and pro Beefheart comment here. I found the Captain in the late 86 as I was born in 72. But he was quickly introduced to my vinyl collection, hard to do at a time when the cd and cassette was dominate and I was making 3 bucks an hour as a dishwasher. But I had the vinyl of the Captain, Velvet Underground and Joy Division so I was a happy LSD loving teenager in Savannah. Again, I seriously read every comment here, every one of them. Here is something that all of you long time fans(like me) could do since a few of you were so poignant to point out that you would never be able to afford one of his paintings now(By the way I said the same thing about any artwork by Kurt Vonnegut, I have one of his drawings hanging in my office now, so you will still be able to get one)but, since there are so many fans and a few haters and even one poor soul raised on manufactured Disney music like Bieber and such(poor kids today) HERE is something YOU FANS could do on behalf of the Captain and people like myself…DONATE MONEY TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR MS!!! national ms society org.Seriously, our medication costs over 4000.00 a month and we need a cure. So in the name of The Captain, please go and donate to the MS society. As a Beefheart fan and MS patient, I thank all of you.
After hearing the news, I played several albums, ending up with the Live set from London 1974. It ends with “Peaches.” After leaving the stage, the audience yells for “more”. I cried because there is no more.
You got that right, bro !
He would whistle the song “More”
fromthe film Mondo Cane.
I saw Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band in Cincinnati. Thre horn players plyed a weird jazz arrangement. Anyone who saw his show was taken back by the twisted melodies and unusual rhythms of his music. His deep voice and imagitive lyrics were timeless. He was a creative genius in many art forms. He had warts like most of us, but the body of work was pure.
Did any of you see him in Pittsburgh between ’70 and ’72?
Don is dead. I bet no one in his homeland understood his work of art for real. Where marks like rock, jazz, alternative, etc command on people’s mind, who cares about music? No fellas, those awful instruments used for sexual rushes won’t stain a bit of don’s image.
1981…The Golden Bear in Huntington Beach…I’ll never forget! Rip Don
Bye bye my Captain!
Don enjoyed the Black Sea, blue whales, and the character of “Solozzo the Turk” (Al Lettieri) from Godfather I.
I have listened and loved the music and art created by Don forhis entire career. I had the privilege to meet don and Jan after the U.K 1974 Tour.Don has had a massive influence on music and how it’s created. I will miss him dearly..deep condolences to Janet his loyal wife.
My Bass player turned me on to Zappa and Beefheart when I, a tender teen, learned what alter-native really means. The character and creative qualities of our music came out of the door on the other side and life has never been the same! (No Beefheart-Zappa)rehab needed either, gifts from geniuses, not replicas. No X-Hippie here, had long hair only to cover my red neck. Just Acse
I had the enormous pleasure of hearing Don and the Magic Band at the Troubador club in L.A., then at their next show, (I think in Laguna Beach), back in the early seventies.
They were, hands down, the greatest band I have ever heard, before or since. As exciting a live act as the original Who, but playing music the likes of which will not likely be heard again. Absolutely astounding.
A fond farewell and aloha from Hawaii to the great Don Van Vliet.
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