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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I hope the Captain has finally found his Clear Spot. He did change the way i looked at music, paving the way for appreciating acts like Nurse with Wound, and Foetus, and so many others. the Captain was always there and i will always have him in my player! Rest In Peace, Don Van Vliet!
There are few people in American music that can be called truly original. Like his sometime-pal and music mate Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart carved a whole unique path that remains almost copy-proof. He was like rock’s equivalent of a fashion designer. And we were all the better for it. Sail on, good Captain.
I photographed and hungout with Don in the early 70′s in Europe. He was a way ahead of his time, in both music and art. Even Zappa didn’t understand Don. Farewell my friend, my Captain.
Very sad news. I wake up to Ella Guru every morning. The loss of a musical genius.
Shedding a tin teardrop. RIP Don
RIP Don Vliet, Lancaster couldn’t hold you. You created your own reality, but at what a cost in ashtray hearts. I guess a carrot is as close as a rabbit gets to a diamond.
Truly sad news. I never got to meet the man, but his influence on me went way beyond the music.
RIP I’ll see you on the other side now.
On to the next mad dimension, thanks for everything Captain Beefheart ! Signed Poofters Froth, Wy-o-min.
This sucks SO MUCH…what a tremendous, awful loss.
such a talented chap.my condolences to his family
john
QEPD, Capitán
Desde un Chile que te conoce desde hace muy poco
RIP, Captain
From Chile, where you’re still being discovered by many people
Don Van Vliet was a master songwriter and music artist. The Magic Band had some of the best guitarists…it’s a shame he never got the recognition he deserved….
Webcor. Webcor.
Trout Mask was played in it’s entirety on the day it was released on WFMU. Heard every note…High School would have been all pain if it weren’t for The Blimp and my best friend…and his badminton cape.
@Penguin
Agreed, Captain Don Beefheart struggled throughout the 70s even while Zappa thrived. Through his visual art , he gained more success. His Trout Mask Replica remains dear to me & is loved/appreciated by local college students/friends I know as well.