Captain Beefheart, R.I.P.

George Grand
George Grand Posts: 12,258
edited April 2011 in Music & Movies
If you knew, this is heart-breaking. I was fortunate enough to catch four of his shows from 1972-1977. A true original if there ever was one. His bands were nothing short of every laudatory adjective that there is.
Post edited by George Grand on
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited December 2010
    RIP Mr Van Vliet,, Click Clack.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,985
    edited December 2010
    Who is he???

    RIP..

    Edit: I am shocked I don't remember him, as much of the classic rock I have grown up with. I just don't remember him at all.
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited December 2010
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    Who is he???

    RIP..

    Edit: I am shocked I don't remember him, as much of the classic rock I have grown up with. I just don't remember him at all.

    The last thing he was, "Classic Rock". Go back to sleep.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,985
    edited December 2010
    George Grand wrote: »
    The last thing he was, "Classic Rock". Go back to sleep.


    I'm trying, with this cold it's hard to sleep.
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  • wayne3burk
    wayne3burk Posts: 939
    edited December 2010
    My brother had a copy of Trout Mask Replica back in '74 - can't say that i actually "got it"...

    but i don't get everything anyways.
    Yamaha RX-V2700, EMI 711As (front), RCA K-16 (rear), Magnavox Console (Center & TV Stand), Sony SMP-N200 media streamer, Dual 1249 TT =--- Sharp Aquas 60" LCD tellie
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited December 2010
    Man, I have been trying to "get" parts of TMR since 1969! Start with something not so heavily encoded, like Clear Spot, or his debut album, Safe As Milk. That one is from the mid 60's, with a great band, including Ry Cooder on some parts.

    The best radar in the world couldn't pick him up if that's what he wanted.
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,357
    edited December 2010
    I never saw him perform, but he was avante garde to say the least. Enjoyed his music and I'm sad he is gone at such a young age (69). MS got him, a terrible disease. RIP!
    Carl

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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited December 2010
    I was very aware of his music because a good friend of mine was a fan. I never really "got" it. He was evidently very talented and an artist both musically and visually. We need more artists in this world...and hopefully there is someone out there to take his place. I probably won't "get" it either.

    R.I.P. Capt.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,085
    edited December 2010
    Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles, The Big Lebowski. Great song.
    RIP.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited December 2010
    I saw him opening for John McGoughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra in 1971 at Winterland. I had taken Windowpane and was just coming on. I don't remember too much other than I was amazed and aghast. All in all, quite a show. I remember the bass player wore what looked like the top of a rocket ship for a hat. There seemed to be plenty of profound and inciteful posturing going on as well. J Mc and the MO had just released their 2nd album which blew the top off of jazz/rock fusion at that point. Jan Hammer played keyboard. It was quite a night. I was 19...good times :eek:

    RIP Captain B

    Combo rig:

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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited December 2010
    She stuck out her tongue and the fun begun...

    RIP.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
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    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
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    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited December 2010
    My friends all thought I'd lost my mind when I started listening to Beefheart.Who knows,maybe I did.
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • cristo
    cristo Posts: 231
    edited December 2010
    Very sorry to hear that he's gone. I have almost all of his stuff on vinyl, and was just listening
    to them a few months ago.
    cristo

    NAD C 545BEE cd player, Philips AF877 turntable / Shure V15V-MR with JICO SAS stylus,
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    (with Sonicraft/Solen/Mills crossover rebuild)
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited December 2010
    My first exposure to Cap'n Beefheart and his magical band was in Atlanta,,they opened for Jethro Tull's "Aqualung tour" at the municiapal auditorium,,a couple of songs that are etched in my brain are "Click Clack,,and Alice in Blunderland",I must be getting old,as I really yearn for those days. RIP Cap'n.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited December 2010
    RIP Cap'n Beefheart! One of those bands that I just never took the time to explore, or try to "get" their music. So much music, too little time!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited December 2010
    Zappa and The Captain are jammin' in heaven. RIP to you both.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited December 2010
    +1, if you were into Zappa you knew who the Captain was!

    Tool...it's OK...you're too young for this. Might want to listen to some Captain B. I've certainly learned about a lot of artists I've never heard of in your posts. Works both ways--generation-wise.

    RIP...CAPTAIN!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited December 2010
    Captain Beefheart and His Lost Planet Airmen!!! RIP Sir!!! You put on some great shows.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited December 2010
    The Cap'n in Atlanta--1972,, I was in error,,it was the "Thick as a Brick" tour with Tull,,not Aqualung which was earlier.I have very fond memories of them them,,such good times.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited December 2010
    I always regretted missing Tull's Thick as a Brick tour. It was my favorite Tull album though I did enjoy Passion Play nearly as much. I caught Tull pre Aqualung at the Fillmore West in the late 60s and again after PP in the mid 70s...just missed the concerts I really wanted to see.

    BTW there was a legendary gross out contest onstage between Beefheart and Zappa in LA when they shared a bill. I'm not sure if it was urban legend or not, but it was repeated as gospel. The climax, supposedly, was that one of them shat onstage...you don't want to know what the other did to top it. Can't remember which was which and now, in retrospect, highly doubt it (especially knowing more about Zappa in later years), but it was an entertaining story.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited December 2010
    Ron Temple wrote: »
    I always regretted missing Tull's Thick as a Brick tour. It was my favorite Tull album though I did enjoy Passion Play nearly as much. I caught Tull pre Aqualung at the Fillmore West in the late 60s and again after PP in the mid 70s...just missed the concerts I really wanted to see.

    BTW there was a legendary gross out contest onstage between Beefheart and Zappa in LA when they shared a bill. I'm not sure if it was urban legend or not, but it was repeated as gospel. The climax, supposedly, was that one of them shat onstage...you don't want to know what the other did to top it. Can't remember which was which and now, in retrospect, highly doubt it (especially knowing more about Zappa in later years), but it was an entertaining story.

    I believe that is an urban legend Ron as that same story circulated with some minor changes in the Philly area many, many moons ago.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited December 2010
    What a weirdo.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited December 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Captain Beefheart and His Lost Planet Airmen!!! RIP Sir!!! You put on some great shows.

    Sorry guy,that was Commander Cody!!
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited December 2010
    decal wrote: »
    Sorry guy,that was Commander Cody!!

    Here I sit,all alone with a broken heart,,I just took two bennies,,and my semi truck won't start.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited December 2010
    decal wrote: »
    Sorry guy,that was Commander Cody!!

    Yep you are correct sir!:redface::redface::redface: I had the Captain, Commander Cody, Hot Tuna, Mandrill, Seatrain, Dr. John etc lumped into the same category. Unique, interesting but not for everyone!

    Thanks for the correction.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited December 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Yep you are correct sir!:redface::redface::redface: I had the Captain, Commander Cody, Hot Tuna, Mandrill, Seatrain, Dr. John etc lumped into the same category. Unique, interesting but not for everyone!

    Thanks for the correction.

    Couldn't edit in time; it's a b$tch getting old all memories seem to merge together!:eek:
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  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,878
    edited December 2010
    Ron Temple wrote: »
    I saw him opening for John McGoughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra in 1971 at Winterland. I had taken Windowpane and was just coming on. I don't remember too much other than I was amazed and aghast. All in all, quite a show. I remember the bass player wore what looked like the top of a rocket ship for a hat. There seemed to be plenty of profound and inciteful posturing going on as well. J Mc and the MO had just released their 2nd album which blew the top off of jazz/rock fusion at that point. Jan Hammer played keyboard. It was quite a night. I was 19...good times :eek:

    RIP Captain B

    I missed him at Winterland by one year. :frown:

    Mention "Beefheart" and "China Pig" popped into my brain ... the Captain was definitely a true artist, marching to his own drummer.
    Trying to figure out how you could "define" his music is almost impossible: R&B, tempered by jazz (that's right, I said "jazz": not musically, but the "where's this tune going" factor), a couple of sprinkles of rock, mixed in a big bowl labelled "The 60's".
    ....and that 'description' completely blows, and .... that's a good thing. You can't fit Captain Beefheart in one jar labelled .... anything.

    Times being different in the music "industry" now, the powers that be would definitely have a heck of a time trying to find the right "demographic" to "market" the Captain to; they sure as heck wouldn't be able to get him to change to fit a certain "demographic". Not a chance in hell.

    There's a 6-part documentary that can be seen on YouTube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M5YE_a4B1U&feature=related

    RIP, Captain Beefheart (have some fun up there with Zappa)
    Sal Palooza
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited December 2010
    mrbigbluelight wrote: »
    I missed him at Winterland by one year. :frown:

    Mention "Beefheart" and "China Pig" popped into my brain ... the Captain was definitely a true artist, marching to his own drummer.
    Trying to figure out how you could "define" his music is almost impossible: R&B, tempered by jazz (that's right, I said "jazz": not musically, but the "where's this tune going" factor), a couple of sprinkles of rock, mixed in a big bowl labelled "The 60's".
    ....and that 'description' completely blows, and .... that's a good thing. You can't fit Captain Beefheart in one jar labelled .... anything.

    Times being different in the music "industry" now, the powers that be would definitely have a heck of a time trying to find the right "demographic" to "market" the Captain to; they sure as heck wouldn't be able to get him to change to fit a certain "demographic". Not a chance in hell.

    There's a 6-part documentary that can be seen on YouTube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M5YE_a4B1U&feature=related

    RIP, Captain Beefheart (have some fun up there with Zappa)

    Rick you hit that nail right on the head!!!
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  • scottyboy76
    scottyboy76 Posts: 2,905
    edited December 2010
    thats the only song that i am sure i ever heard by this guy, on the radio in the 90s, i didnt get out of the truck till it was over, im glad i didnt.

    anybody know where i can hear little feat live, let it roll.

    heard it once on sat radio, some sort of rockstar hosted show, tried searches on internet, nothing.

    title of song, especially near end is fitting.
    humpty dumpty was pushed
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  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,878
    edited December 2010
    Always like to look through the site, www.archive.org, for stuff that you normally don't find elsewhere.

    Captain Beefheart has some presence there :smile: ; some of it is by tribute bands :frown: but in true Beefheat synergy (IMO), they are bands with names like, "The Hicks of Deviation" and "Acid Mothers Temple".

    Somehow, I don't think the Captain would mind so much. :smile:

    http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=beefheart%20AND%20mediatype%3Aaudio
    Sal Palooza
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