Frank Zappa »
1958 Graduation photo
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
1969 Captain Beefheart’s wedding by Mike Bugbee
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
1975 Bloomington Illinois with Frank Zappa
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
A Study of Captain Beefheart by Patrick Carr
“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 Evening With Frank Zappa & Captain Beefheart
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
Art Tripp writes about Don
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
Beefheart’s Boogie by Andrew Lycet
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
Bongo Fury by Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart discography
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
Bongo Fury in El Paso
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
Boston Music Hall 27/04/1975 (Late Show) 200 Years Special
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
Captain Beefheart Gaining International Acclaim – for Painting by John Rogers
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
El Paso Or Die
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
Frank Zappa discussing Trout Mask Replica 1969
From 1969 with Don, possibly in London. Hear it!
Frank Zappa Strasse
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
Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart and the Secret History of Maximalism by Michel Delville and Andrew Norris
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
Frank Zappa, Don Van Vliet and George Duke Lecture 1975
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
Hot Beef Injection
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
Hot Rats by Frank Zappa discography
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
Leon Rubenhold remembers 1966
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
Man With The Woman Head lyrics
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