RIP, Captain Beefheart

MusicDecember 2010 • Views: 19,962

One of my real musical heroes has passed away. There was never anything like Captain Beefheart’s fractured, joyously surreal, deeply weird musical vision, and he’ll be missed: Captain Beefheart Dead At Age 69.

Don Van Vliet, who became a rock legend as Captain Beefheart, died today from complications from multiple sclerosis in California. His passing was announced by the New York-based Michael Werner Gallery, which represented his work as a painter.

His Trout Mask Replica was Number 58 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

In memory of the Captain, here’s an excellent BBC documentary from 1997 in a 6 part playlist.

youtube.com

Jump to bottom

47 comments

webevintage Fri, Dec 17, 2010 3:48:18pm

Saw that on FaceBook and I haz a sad....

jamesfirecat Fri, Dec 17, 2010 3:51:03pm

Too many... we're having too many of these death threads....

(Not that I object to them, I'm just saddened that so many great men and women seem to be dieing so close together)

Jeff In Ohio Fri, Dec 17, 2010 3:53:11pm

All you ever do is blabber n smoke...

...fuck.

bratwurst Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:06:18pm

I would like to paraphrase an anecdote told about the good Captain by the late Herbie Cohen, one time manager of Frank Zappa. When Beefheart was recording for Zappa's label, Cohen was getting invoices for the various expenses involved. One that caught his attention was for 16 sleigh bells. As there were only 5 men in the band at that time, Cohen figured if each band member held a sleigh bell in each hand that meant only 10 sleigh bells were required. What did Beefheart intend to do with the other six?

"We'll overdub them!"

RIP. Thanks for the unforgettable music.

wrenchwench Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:23:51pm

Cool, part two started seamlessly, right when Ry Cooder steps in!

nines09 Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:24:27pm

One of a kind and a kind seldom seen anymore. Big Eyed Beans from Venus Baby.

albusteve Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:28:31pm

complications from MS...very sad....he was a zany, good guy, having fun with music...an icon

albusteve Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:29:06pm

re: #5 wrenchwench

Cool, part two started seamlessly, right when Ry Cooder steps in!

COODER!
none better

steve_davis Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:33:40pm

Listening to one of the Zappa documentaries on NetFlix, apparently the reason that famous Zappa-produced Beefheart album sounds like the vocals are out-of-sync is because the Captain didn't like wearing the cans while he sang, so he'd take them off and just listen to the sound of the group coming through the glass partition they were using to isolate the vocals :-) Sounds like he would have been just a real joy for a studio engineer to work with.

Flounder Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:40:29pm

It's terrible to see anyone so ravaged by disease. My condolences.

APox Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:43:17pm

[Link: www.cnn.com...]

Hugo Chavez given 18 months to "rule by decree" due to massive flooding, so he could "manage" better.

Hitler was given 12 months to rule by decree to manage in case of a disaster, I think it was a fire.

I'll be shocked to see how this turns out!

Oh, and Iran is giving them missiles, neat!

William of Orange Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:47:09pm

I must say the whiole phenomenon of Captain Beefheart went past me. I didn't have a clue what music he made so I had to scour Youtube to get myself aquainted. Forgive me, I was born too late.

MS is a damn nasty disease. His suffering is over. We have to be thankful for that I think.

jerk Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:52:01pm

Very sad indeed. Was a genius in every sense of the word. Though he has been out of the public eye for quite some time now, it is still very devastating as I am a big fan of his work. I'd say the last time I felt like this was when Syd Barrett finally passed. Beefheart shaped so much of the alternative rock of the nineties, especially the RHCP (listen to "Give it Away").

Flounder Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:52:22pm

I don't get the censor thing, did I hear that right?

wrenchwench Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:54:06pm

re: #9 steve_davis

Listening to one of the Zappa documentaries on NetFlix, apparently the reason that famous Zappa-produced Beefheart album sounds like the vocals are out-of-sync is because the Captain didn't like wearing the cans while he sang, so he'd take them off and just listen to the sound of the group coming through the glass partition they were using to isolate the vocals :-) Sounds like he would have been just a real joy for a studio engineer to work with.

The video has Frank telling that himself. (I think I'm in Part 5.)

Ojoe Fri, Dec 17, 2010 4:56:41pm

Tropical hot dog night

Except was that Commander Cody?

albusteve Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:06:23pm

I knew nothing of his artwork...not that I'm impressed with his stuff...brings to mind Grace Slick or Ron Wood's work, which I do like very much...interesting

Killgore Trout Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:07:38pm

re: #17 albusteve

I knew nothing of his artwork...not that I'm impressed with his stuff...brings to mind Grace Slick or Ron Wood's work, which I do like very much...interesting

How are you feeling. I haven't seen you in a few days and was starting to get worried.

albusteve Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:10:11pm

re: #18 Killgore Trout

How are you feeling. I haven't seen you in a few days and was starting to get worried.

much better lately...pain is under control and I'm rapidly healing again...got my fingers crossed that this is the last time around, so I'm gonna rally and hope for the best...thanks

Killgore Trout Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:10:56pm

re: #19 albusteve

Good news.

albusteve Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:12:24pm

hypnotic beat brings on a catatonic state....so there

albusteve Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:13:56pm

re: #20 Killgore Trout

Good news.

yeah, I have my wound care handled at home now by an RN....much less stress dealing with constant trips to the hospital....I just sit back and she takes care of me....nice

Aceofwhat? Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:15:51pm

re: #22 albusteve

yeah, I have my wound care handled at home now by an RN...much less stress dealing with constant trips to the hospital...I just sit back and she takes care of me...nice

as long as she keeps the sponge warm/

Killgore Trout Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:16:43pm

re: #22 albusteve

Are you adjusting ok? Getting around a bit and getting chores done, etc?

albusteve Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:24:34pm

re: #24 Killgore Trout

Are you adjusting ok? Getting around a bit and getting chores done, etc?

as best I can...my sister was just passed through a few days ago, and the bunkhouse is sparkling....she's a neat freak, but I do what I can...the smallest stuff is hard to do, like taking out the garbage....seems like it takes all day, and it's hard to cook, maybe the biggest hurdle....but I can crap, bathe, and dress easy enough....I miss being outdoors more, that's why I moved to NM...I can drive, but not too far and that's huge

albusteve Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:25:03pm

re: #23 Aceofwhat?

as long as she keeps the sponge warm/

brick

steve_davis Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:33:22pm

re: #15 wrenchwench

Very cool, wrenchwrench! David Crosby once said that those who remember the 60's weren't really there. I was 5 in 1970, so it's kind of cool to know that I remember as much of the 60's as Crosby does....

Stanghazi Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:37:03pm

re: #19 albusteve

much better lately...pain is under control and I'm rapidly healing again...got my fingers crossed that this is the last time around, so I'm gonna rally and hope for the best...thanks

I gotta hit and run, but am really glad to hear this Steve.

b_sharp Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:37:32pm

re: #25 albusteve

as best I can...my sister was just passed through a few days ago, and the bunkhouse is sparkling...she's a neat freak, but I do what I can...the smallest stuff is hard to do, like taking out the garbage...seems like it takes all day, and it's hard to cook, maybe the biggest hurdle...but I can crap, bathe, and dress easy enough...I miss being outdoors more, that's why I moved to NM...I can drive, but not too far and that's huge

Patience my friend, you'll adapt and those abilities will return. You're a tough old coot.

b_sharp Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:38:53pm

re: #27 steve_davis

Very cool, wrenchwrench! David Crosby once said that those who remember the 60's weren't really there. I was 5 in 1970, so it's kind of cool to know that I remember as much of the 60's as Crosby does...

I remember the '60s well enough, it's the '70s I have trouble with.

Talking Point Detective Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:41:12pm

That sucks. Trout Mask Replica is a masterpiece.

albusteve Fri, Dec 17, 2010 5:42:38pm

re: #28 Stanley Sea

I gotta hit and run, but am really glad to hear this Steve.

thank you, I appreciate it

simoom Fri, Dec 17, 2010 6:04:14pm

Sen. Bob Corker & Sen. Lindsay Grahm, "If you bring DADT & the Dream Act up for a a cloture vote, you'll be 'poisoning the well', and we'll walk away from START":

[Link: wonkroom.thinkprogress.org...]

Sen. Bob Corker: What’s happened is it’s poisoning the well on this debate, on something that’s very, very important….I’m just hoping that saner minds will prevail and that these issues that have been brought forth that are absolutely partisan, political, issues, brought forth to basically accommodate activist groups around this country. I’m hoping that those will be taken down or else I don’t think the future of the START treaty over the next several days is going to be successful, based on what I’m watching.

---

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) tells Politico's Manu Raju that he may vote against START because of DADT:
Sen. Graham may vote against START, saying DREAM/DADT push has "poisoned the well." "The lame-duck is beginning to smell up the place."

Is this the new talking point that's replaced, "the Senate is shut down until we resolving tax cuts first"? That even bringing legislation up for a cloture vote that has majority support in both the congress & the country is "poisoning the well" so thoroughly that Senators will not vote for a critical treaty they'd otherwise support?

jamesfirecat Fri, Dec 17, 2010 6:06:19pm

re: #33 simoom

Sen. Bob Corker & Sen. Lindsay Grahm, "If you bring DADT & the Dream Act up for a a cloture vote, you'll be 'poisoning the well', and we'll walk away from START":

[Link: wonkroom.thinkprogress.org...]

---

Is this the new talking point that's replaced, "the Senate is shut down until we resolving tax cuts first"? That even bringing legislation up for a cloture vote that has majority support in both the congress & the country is "poisoning the well" so thoroughly that Senators will not vote for a critical treaty they'd otherwise support?

Ah Lindsay you always were the Senate's biggest mirage of Bipartisanship don't ever change you crazy bastard...

//Just get voted out of office soon....

Charles Johnson Fri, Dec 17, 2010 6:07:02pm

re: #33 simoom

They are very, very afraid of teh ghey.

Charles Johnson Fri, Dec 17, 2010 6:07:37pm

The GOP is more afraid of homosexuals than they are of nuclear war.

jamesfirecat Fri, Dec 17, 2010 6:08:38pm

re: #36 Charles

The GOP is more afraid of homosexuals than they are of nuclear war.

Somebody needs to make an image/video of a rainbow mushroom cloud...

KingKenrod Fri, Dec 17, 2010 6:10:20pm

re: #33 simoom

Sen. Bob Corker & Sen. Lindsay Grahm, "If you bring DADT & the Dream Act up for a a cloture vote, you'll be 'poisoning the well', and we'll walk away from START":

[Link: wonkroom.thinkprogress.org...]

---

Is this the new talking point that's replaced, "the Senate is shut down until we resolving tax cuts first"? That even bringing legislation up for a cloture vote that has majority support in both the congress & the country is "poisoning the well" so thoroughly that Senators will not vote for a critical treaty they'd otherwise support?

The GOP got their tax deal, so they should stick to their word and stop whining. I think Reid has the votes on both issues anyway.

webevintage Fri, Dec 17, 2010 6:11:37pm

re: #38 KingKenrod

The GOP got their tax deal, so they should stick to their word and stop whining. I think Reid has the votes on both issues anyway.

If only the Republicans could be shamed, but really they don't give a shit....

webevintage Fri, Dec 17, 2010 6:13:08pm

BTW.
This cool thing.

Youtube Video

If I traveled at all this iPhone app would make me want to actually buy an iPhone....

How long before we have a Universal Translator?

simoom Fri, Dec 17, 2010 6:19:39pm

re: #38 KingKenrod

The GOP got their tax deal, so they should stick to their word and stop whining. I think Reid has the votes on both issues anyway.

Yup, I think they're coming over the weekend. The Dems are down one cloture vote because Senator Ron Wyden is getting preventative surgery for prostate cancer (which was detected early so hopefully he'll now be fine).

What would be nice is if one of his colleagues from the other side of the aisle could do him a solid and vote for cloture in his stead. They could even announce on the floor that while they don't support the bills, they're voting by proxy for him as a signal of congressional solidarity -- score some good karma in the process. Actually, in the case of DADT one of his fellow Dems could fill that role... Joe Manchin could use it as an excuse to vote the right way on it...

Velvet Elvis Fri, Dec 17, 2010 6:37:36pm

Well I know what I'm going to be sitting up listening to tonight.

I downloaded a bunch of really high quality live Beefheart bootlegs off the net recently. I've not even listened to them all yet.

teleskiguy Fri, Dec 17, 2010 6:50:26pm

I just only started listening to the man's music when my father bought his greatest hits CD by EMI. I love "Willie The Pimp"! I heard it when I was 18 and loved his scowl and the twenny dollah bills and floozies in the lobby! What joy his music is indeed!

I watched the documentary too. His paintings are really cool, I never knew he did that for years.

R.I.P. Don Van Vliet, Captain Beefheart himself.

Talking Point Detective Fri, Dec 17, 2010 7:47:53pm

A squid eating dough in a polyethylene bag is fast and bulbous.

I had completely forgotten about that line. Brings back some great memories.

teleskiguy Fri, Dec 17, 2010 10:12:26pm

Somebody's Had Too Much To Think

A Case Of The Punks

-You Used Me Like An Ashtray Heart

Egregious Philbin Fri, Dec 17, 2010 11:19:32pm

Another member of the Zappasphere is gone.

A real original, a true artist, sucks that the world is without a Captain Beefhears.

Slap Mon, Dec 20, 2010 8:27:44am

......

I just heard today.

I had come to terms with his absence from music; it made me a little sad that he made a far, far better living from his painting than he ever did with music.

Coming to terms with his absence from the material world is going to be a bit different.

I saw the last Magic Band, just after Brave Midnight Hat Size Snyder had joined up, at the (sadly-departed) Bayou in DC. One of my top five concert experiences, EVER. A friend was early in line that night; the club had recently re-waxed the floors, and when Don and the band emerged after soundcheck, he was muttering "bugspray, bugspray, bugspray....". Incredible gig, it was.

His was a singular mind. Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) broke the code for me, and suddenly all his work made sense (well, except for those Mercury albums -- ) His idiosyncratic genius really never stood a chance at mass acceptance; his music still stands as among the most unique and fascinating I've ever listened to. His view of the world was decidedly skewed, yet there was an almost childlike quality to the way his consciousness filtered things. And no lyricist in rock/popular music has ever been as Cubist and Joycean as he.

One of my favorite bits of his wordplay, The Man With the Woman Head:

The man with the woman head
Polynesian wallpaper made the face stand out,
a mixture of Oriental and early vaudeville jazz poofter,
forming a hard, beetle-like triangular chin much like a praying mantis.
Smoky razor-cut, low on the ear neck profile.
The face the color of a nicotine-stained hand.
Dark circles collected under the wrinkled, folded eyes,
map-like from too much turquoise eyepaint.
He showed his old tongue through ill-fitting wooden teeth,
stained from too much opium, chipped from the years.
The feet, brown wrinkles above straw loafers.
A piece of cocoanut in a pink seashell caught the tongue
and knotted into thin white strings.
Charcoal grey Eisenhower jacket zipped and tucked into a lotus green ascot.
A coil of ashes collected on the white-on-yellow dacs.
Four slender bones with rings and nails
endured the weight of a hard fast black rubber cigarette holder.
I could just make out Ace as he carried the tray and mouthed,
"You cheap son of a bitch"
as a straw fell out of a Coke, cartwheeled into the gutter.
So this was a drive-in restaurant in Hollywood,
So this was a drive-in restaurant in Hollywood,
So this was a drive-in restaurant in Hollywood.

RIP, indeed, Mr. Van Vliet. The world's chaos is a bit less amusing without you.

Spy Mode Auto

This article has been archived.
Comments are closed.

Jump to top

RIP, Captain Beefheart

► LGF Headlines

► Top 10 Comments

► Bottom Comments

► Recent Comments

► Tools/Info

► Tag Cloud