....dies after complications from multiple sclerosis
Link
....dies after complications from multiple sclerosis
Link
Rest in peace
Power is something that should be given to those who need it to serve and withheld from those who seek it to rule.
I had been waiting for this for the last 15 years, always wondered what his illness was.
I am now officially in mourning.
So sad, so sad, all my peers are dying around me with every passing year and against all odds I'm still here, quite odd.
The one single biggest musical influence in my life is no more, my sympathies to his wife Jan.
Well that totally SUX...though I can't say that I'm a fan from "way back", I certainly remember how I felt when FZ passed and I'm certain that our Flopps will feel a loss much the same way. RIP Captain Beefheart ...I'm drinking two beers right now, one for the artist and one for Flopps, may he get over the loss quickly and remember his fondest memories most.
Oh no, terribly sorry to step on your post Flopps.
CRUNCHIN FOR DAD & in Memory of our Friend Whipat
RIP. Another great artist leaves the stage . . .
It is harder and harder to make a case to a weary and dismayed population that the Western way of life as managed by the Anglosphere ought to be spread around the world at the point of a gun.
http://www.wrightfamilyhome.org/family.htm
I've been spending this evening viewing relevant stuff, smiling, crying, thinking.Originally Posted by Tuffies Son
Came across this TS, one of FZ's last interviews. What a man, I especially love his views on 'wanting to be remembered'.
"Bush, Reagan, they want to be remembered, I could care less"
Or similar words.
Much the same views as my own.
Beefheart & Zappa had a love/hate relationship but both influenced the other.
American Music. Superb.
Thank you so much for that post Flopps...what a profound and excellent bit!
"It's not important to even be remembered" FZ
I can only imagine how cool it must have been to see Captain Beefheart live, as I believe you did (many times, perhaps). I remember seeing FZ play "Nanook rubs it" (you know, with the vigorous circular motion) and I couldn't imagine how he could get his fingers to play like that. He had me hooked & I enjoyed every show I ever saw. Remember those special moments and keep them dear...for you.
I'm sorry to hear this. My condolences, Tony. I've only heard the one song (which is pretty funky and good), but I know this guy was one of your favourites.
Now I'm going to have to go on a youtube cruise to know more of Captain Beefheart.
You know I'm right there with ya G...if Flopps loves it, ya better believe I'm going to pay attention. He has a...gift for knowing the difference between shit and Shinola. I like that.
I've never been a big fan of bluesy stuff (which is not to say I don't like ANY of it, that would be impossible) but this one is superb. (and what a "freak" he is... and I mean that in a good way)
There's lots of him on youtube and I've sampled some entertaining songs.
RIP Capt'n, I liked a lot of his stuff.
Damn, I thought y'all knew . . . take a listen.
YouTube - Vib Ribbon - Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band, 'The Floppy Boot Stomp'
Cheers Flopps - tip one back for me bro . . .
Nice to see some input here, The Captain's recordings veered from bluesy to commercial to totally off the wall.
I liked all those flavours but I've always, ever since 1969, found his most famous album Trout Mask Replica difficult to listen through in one sitting.
Not any more though, it took about 30 years but eventually all of it clicked.
Matt Groerning, Simpsons creator, is a Beefheart fan and rates Trout Mask Replica as his favourite all time album.
It will leave a lot of people bemused though, perhaps even cold.
How I discovered Beefheart, if anyone's interested...
I left school after six years in secondary education in 1968 and in Autumn started my first job as a sales processing clerk at Freemans mail order company at Clapham.
Whilst working there I met a fella doing the same job as me who happened to be a British Ambassador's son and lived at Queens Gate, Knightsbridge, which is a bit posh. Why he was working at Freemans I'll never know I can only assume his daddy was incorrupt and thus had no contacts willing to do favours.
Robert (for that was his name) had waist length hair, was 6' 2" and was as passionate about music as myself. He lent me two albums: 'Safe As Milk' by Don and 'I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die' by Country Joe and The Fish.
Those two albums kinda turned my life around, it was a revelation to this 17 year old.
Just before Christmas I was on the concourse at waterloo East railway station and was browsing vinyl in W H Smiths and came across 'Safe As Milk' so I bought it.
Some months later I bought Strictly Personal and insisted on playing it at Parties which usually led to me being tied up and dumped in the garden until I promised to stay away from the record player.
I only ever saw Don perform twice, supporting Pink Floyd at Knebworth around '75 or '76 and at The Venue, Victoria, I think '82. I regret to this day I didn't see him perform more often, as I certainly had the oppurtunities.
I now have probably around 95% (don't have all the compilations) of the Captain's catalogue and he gets aired weekly at Chez Flops.
The last I saw of Robert The Ambassador's son he was selling clothes in Carnaby Street around 1972, haven't seen him since.
Thank you for allowing me to reminisce.
I'd never heard the man before. He's definitely the kind of thing that, to me anyway, sounds truly odd but somehow intriguing. I keep going back and listening to more.
Poignant tribute from John French (The drummer who spent the most time with the Magic Band, Don's backing group):
Watch your topknot, and keep your eye to the skyline
Later, before we played Knebworth Festival in 1975, I became musical director of the band and helped get a set list together for his re-appearance after the Tragic Band tour. He had received a lot of criticism and bad reviews and this had been his first chance to redeem himself. After a successful concert, I stood in the hotel lobby registering for my room and felt a warm affectionate hug from behind. I thought, from the tenderness, that it was a woman, but when I turned, it was Van Vliet. There was moisture in his eyes. “Thank you, man” was all he said, and walked away. After days of forcing him practically at gunpoint to review his lyrics, it was a welcome acknowledgement. He had done well, though relying heavily upon cue cards written meticulously by Jan.
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