American musician and artist Don Van Vliet, best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart, has died aged 69.
Van Vliet was born in Glendale, California and in his formative years quickly developed his lifelong interest in art, music and sculpture. In the 1950s he joined Antelope Valley High School where he met Frank Zappa. The pair bonded over their love of jazz, blues and R&B and began working on a movie script and formed a band named Soots. Vliet was duly inspired and, buoyed by the discovery of his Howlin' Wolf style growl, adopted the Captain Beefheart moniker and formed the Magic Band in 1964.
The group signed to A&M in 1965 and released two singles the following year - a cover of Bo Diddley's Diddy Wah Diddy and the David Gates penned Moonchild. John Peel, soon to become their most fervent supporter, recalls seeing the band for the first time at L.A.'s Whiskey A-Go-Go: "It was like hearing Elvis for the first time," he said. "I reeled out into the Hollywood night knowing that nothing would ever be the same again."
Trout Mask Replica - a double album recorded in one six-hour session - was released on Zappa's Straight label in the summer of '69 and is seen by many as his defining work. It reached number 21 on the UK chart. Speaking about the making of the LP, Beefheart said: "I don't like hypnotics. I want things to change like the patterns and shadows that fall from the sun."
Van Vliet would continue to record under the name of Captain Beefheart with members of the Magic Band until 1982, when he devoted his time entirely to art and sculpture following the advice of the New York art dealer Michael Werner that he would never be taken seriously as a painter unless he gave up music. Eventually he was unable to paint after developing multiple sclerosis and passed away due to complications from the disease on 17 December 2010.
Van Vliet's wide cult appeal never quite translated into commercial sales, but his avant-garde rock, blues and jazz stylings had an immeasurable effect on other musicians. Artists including Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Franz Ferdinand, Oasis, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and The White Stripes are among those who have cited him as an influence.
Van Vliet is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, Jan Van Vliet.
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Van Vliet's wide cult appeal never quite translated into commercial sales, but his avant-garde rock, blues and jazz stylings had an immeasurable effect on other musicians. Artists including Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Franz Ferdinand, Oasis, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and The White Stripes are among those who have cited him as an influence.
Van Vliet is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, Jan Van Vliet.
Read more tributes
