There is another sad loss in the world of music today, folks. Don Van Vliet, aka “Captain Beefhart” died today in California due to multiple sclerosis. Before Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Black Sabbath, and other rock groups in the 70’s, it was Captain Beefhart that started it all. Captain Beefhart did it all. He sang, he wrote his own songs, played his own instruments, a poet, a painter, and he was even a film director.

He never played the guitar, but he did play harmonica, saxophone, clarinet, flute, and other instruments. Beefhart grew up listening to blues and jazz music. Which is where he got to meet guitar icon, Frank Zappa. Him and Frank became best friends, and they started to play music together in bands before they were famous. Frank Zappa and Beefhart together made a movie titled, “Captain Beefhart vs. the Grunt People” which is where he got his name from. Later, Beefhart formed his own band, “Captain Beefhart and the Magic Band”, and they got a record deal. In all, the band made 12 albums in their career. They are known for songs such as “Electricity”, “Safe as Milk”, “Bat Chain Puller”, “Ice Cream For Crow” and many more hits.

It is also widely known, that Robert Plant always said in his interviews, it was Captain Beefhart that got Robert into singing and rock n’ roll. Captain Beefhart was a hero and a huge influence to Robert Plant. Can you tell? Led Zeppelin borrowed a lot from Captain Beefhart’s music.

In the early 90’s, Beefhart was forced to retire from music due to being paralyzed on a wheel chair and suffering from multiple sclerosis. He’s been battling multiple sclerosis since then. Captain Beefhart was only, 67 years old. Died young, gone too soon. RIP Captain and thanks for the excellent music.

Kev