22 thoughts on “RIP The Captain”

  1. It’s a sad day, Barry, but not entirely unexpected. Because of Don Van Vliet, there will always be some Beef in my heart…

  2. That’s one true original less in this world. I’m honoured to have been a fan, and happy for the work that he left. I wish he could have seen Bat Chain Puller. But I guess that was less important to him at this stage. Rest in peace.

  3. Damn and blast. I bought my first Beefheart album back in 1970 when I was thirteen (Strictly Personal) and he’s been with me ever since. Damn and blast.

  4. It’s a sad thing that Don died, but for a person with multiple sclerosis it can be a liberation. Let’s hope the Captain is now Absolutely Free.

  5. It seemed like there were more than the usual aging structural issues making me feel like crap this morning. Now I know. Loss. RIP.

  6. [quote comment=”19102″]It’s a sad thing that Don died, but for a person with multiple sclerosis it can be a liberation. Let’s hope the Captain is now Absolutely Free.[/quote]

    I know exactly what you mean, radio boy. I lost two cousins (Karen and Bob, brother and sister) to complications of multiple sclerosis. It’s a terrible thing to watch people you care for, once so healthy and full of verve, robbed piecemeal of their vitality, and eventually, their lives. So, when I heard Don had MS, I knew exactly what was in store for him as I’d seen the awful toll that MS takes. Still, I’d much prefer to remember the iconoclast who drew pictures of FZ as the devil during the Bongo Fury tour. What balls! What heart!

  7. iam sure he is some where in the universe crusing, in my imagination i see him with zappa on the sofa flying and visiting peoples minds.

  8. I just heard about his death (on Facebook, of all places). I didn’t see it in the news anywhere…
    I saw one show of the Bongo Fury tour (New Haven CT Coliseum, absolutely wretched acoustics). I remember Beefheart sitting on his heels, playing the harmonica. Before I had even heard the Bongo Fury album, people in my high school were going around quoting “Sam with the Showing Scalp Flat Top” (I thought they knew some really weird poetry…)
    After repeated listenings of all his music, I think that “Doc At The Radar Station” is the best; “Trout Mask Replica” still weirds me out.

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