There’s so many things to feel and see while you’re awake…

Don Van Vliet / Captain BeefheartCombining elements of free jazz, blues and rock, Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band produced what is commonly regarded by critics and fans as one of rock’s few truly original bodies of work.

Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart) retired from the music industry after 1982’s Ice Cream For Crow album to concentrate on his primary love – paint.

The Radar Station is a purely fan-run site which aims to document every twist and turn in the tale of this unique individual.

Header photograph copyright Anton Corbijn, used with kind permission.

Don Van Vliet: 1941-2010 – tributes and fond farewells

Recent blog posts

By:
On:
In: Blog, Tributes
With: 0 Comments

Back in 2015 Robyn Hitchcock performed the whole of the Clear Spot album live at various UK venues – read about that here. On Friday 29th August 2025 he will be performing the Safe As Milk album live at The Chapel, San Francisco. A second set will include a number of other Beefheart songs from the later albums. At the moment this appears to be the only performance before Robyn heads off to perform Dylan’s John Wesley Harding album at several US venues. Along with Robyn will be some ‘special guests’ (although others, currently unknown,  are promised): Chuck Prophet Kelley Stoltz Blag Dahlia (The Dwarves)Read More →

By:
On:
In: Blog, Music, Tributes
With: 1 Comment

The Radar Station’s favourite Beefheart tribute band, Orange Claw Hammer, have a couple of gigs coming up soon. The band will be presenting their jazz inflected take on many Beefheart classics at this year’s Edinburgh Festival under the banner Sugar n’ Spikes and all things Beefheart. They will be performing at Bannerman’s in Edinburgh on Saturday 9th and Saturday 16th August 2025. Tickets are available in advance form the Fringe Box Office or online at www.edfringe.com Related posts: Orange Claw Hammer – new CD & live dates Orange Claw Hammer live Orange Claw Hammer gigs coming up New Beef Dreams! by Orange Claw HammerRead More →

By:
On:
In: Audio interviews, Blog
With: 0 Comments

Interview by Tom Dyer of Green Monkey Records on Kaos Radio. Bill discusses his time with the Magic Band, Mallard and what happened afterwards including his solo recordings, his guitars and his health. Related posts: 2023 : Progcast interview with Bill Harkleroad and Art Tripp 2017 : Samuel Andreyev interviews Bill Harkleroad 1999 : Bill Harkleroad interview Bill Harkleroad aka Zoot Horn RolloRead More →