Obviously, it didn’t stop there. I wound up with all of the Captain’s albums, including two bootlegs, and a video. I even got to see him in concert three times. "The Old Fart..." has become one of my favourite songs. It’s what my grandmother called my grandfather, so there’s a sentimental attachment. What can I say?

The high point of any of the concerts was when the Captain performed "The Old Fart..." during a concert in Detroit after Shiny Beast came out. Naturally, I can’t remember the name of the hall. Many people in the audience were shouting out requests, and I was no exception. It had reached a point where the people who were with me were threatening me with great bodily harm if I didn’t stop with my loud requests when the Captain picked up a large blue book, and he and the band performed my song.

Two years later, when Doc at the Radar Station was released, The Captain was performing at Harpo’s, also in Detroit. Both Moris Tepper and Midnight Hatsize Snyder had broken strings on both of their guitars. When Snyder’s second guitar became disabled, his entire expression changed. Up to that point, he had been very animated. He very deliberately took the broken string, wound in into a circle about ten inches or so in diameter, and flung it Frisbee-style into the audience. I had stopped my incessant pounding on the table and had my hands folded in front of me. I never felt a thing as the string landed across my folded hands. I saw it moments later when I happened to look in that direction during the break in the action while the guitars were being restrung. I still have that string somewhere. The band played Dr. Dark and Tepper played "One Red Rose That I Mean" once one of the guitars was ready.

I’ve done all that I can to turn the rest of my friends and acquaintances on to the Captain, with little to show for my efforts. My mother, who would listen to ANYTHING said that it was a shame that the Captain couldn’t accept the art scholarship because you can’t put a statue on the turntable. This was a woman who bought her own Muddy Waters records after I introduced her to him, and was caught playing my sister’s Jethro Tull albums. I have made lots of tapes for people, but usually get little reaction. But I’m not giving up.

Presently, I have just discovered the Internet, having been hooked up a little less than two months ago. I have been more than amazed by what is available here about the Captain. I have often visited this site as well as Home Page Replica and Electricity. I have also subscribed to the alt.fan.captainbeefheart newsgroup. It has been almost as much fun as listening to the music.