Yes, it’s real. This is the graduation photograph listed for one Don Vliet in the high school yearbook at Antelope Valley High School, Lancaster, CA. HavingRead More
My first meeting with Don Van Vliet–whom I’ll just refer to as Beefheart–came on a rainy night about 12 hours before his wedding. It was NovemberRead More
This photo was taken and very kindly sent to me by John Petraitis who was at a Frank Zappa gig in Bloomington Illinois when Captain BeefheartRead More
“New York is a slow turtle with diarrhea” says Captain Beefheart, alias the Spotlight Kid, alias Don Van Vliet. The Anderson Theatre is in that areaRead More
An amazing collection of rarities put together as a syndicated radio show by Zappa in 1975. It was broadcast on KWST and WLIR – and possibly others. DonRead More
In 1984 Don and I had renewed our friendship for many years in north California after we’d both left the music biz. Our homes were onlyRead More
WHAT DOES one say to a man who, at the age of three, used to talk with lions inside their cages? How does one cope withRead More
Track list Debra Kadabra Carolina Hard-Core Ecstasy Sam With The Showing Scalp Flat Top Poofter’s Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead 200 Years Old Cucamonga Advance Romance ManRead More
Song list Disc 1 County Coliseum, El Paso, 23 May 1975 Presentation Bongo Fury Initial Apostrophe band introduction Stinkfoot I`m Not Satisfied Carolina Hard-core Ecstasy VelvetRead More
Song List Side A Poofters Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead (200 Years Special) 3:10 George Duke’s Incredible Show (Improvisation) 5:50 Willie The Pimp 9:23 Side B TheRead More
A long time ago, in an artistic dimension somewhere in another galaxy called the 1960s, there emerged an unlikely musical hero, name of Captain Beefheart. AtRead More
Song list Disc 1 County Coliseum, El Paso, 23 May 1975 Introduction Improvisation Apostrophe Stinkfoot I`m Not Satisfied Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy Velvet Sunrise Pound for aRead More
From 1969 with Don, possibly in London. Hear it!
According to Gary Lucas in a 1996 interview for Seconds magazine, Frank Zappa and Don Van Vliet’s last meeting was embarassing and distressing. Frank owned theRead More
Published by Salt Publishing, September 2005 Salt Studies in Contemporary Literature and Culture Paperback and Hardback Publisher’s blurb A comparative account of the musical and culturalRead More
This lecture took place at the Gifford Auditorium, Syracuse, 23rd April 1975. Don is fairly quiet throughout the lecture; when asked a direct question he givesRead More
The back cover of this single CD says: Frank HOT Rats Zappa and Captain BEEFheart INJECT their thoughts and songs in this classic 1975 WLIR radio broadcast ThisRead More
Track list Peaches En Regalia Willie The Pimp Son Of Mr. Green Genes Little Umbrellas The Gumbo Variations It Must Be A Camel Recording details DateRead More
After I’d posted Leon Rubenhold’s story about the time he played with Captain Beefheart (see the entry for 07 December here), Leon sent another mail detailingRead More
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-likeRead More