In 1966, long before the original Hairspray, black and white teens danced together to the bass overdrive and deep croak of Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band. Today blues lovers, avant-gardists and fans of dada, surrealism and abstract expressionism mourn and celebrate the Captain, aka Don Van Vliet. If you don’t believe people jitterbuged to “Diddy Wah Diddy,” watch the clip. And thanks to Jim Macnie for bringing it to my attention.
American Bandstand loved Captain Beefheart
December 18, 2010 by
This was the first I knew of the good Captain’s passing. “My smile is stuck/ I cannot go back t` yer Frownland . . .”
HM: Ah yes, but remember, “there is no Santa Claus on the midnight train.”
RIp Don Van Vliet
Shout the Truth peacefully
……………… E-l-e-c-t-r-i-c-i-t-y
In my forthcoming column, I cite your blog as the first source for my learning of Capt. Beefheart’s passing, will send link when published in January.
As promised, url to my January column, citing you as source for this information. Best wishes for 2011.
http://www.louisvillemusicnews.net/webmanager/index.php?WEB_CAT_ID=50&storyid=6900&headline=Jazzin‘&issueid=263