I realised I haven't done a post about Captain Beefheart, after he died nearly two days ago. Learning of his death really knocked me back, especially as it was Multiple Sclerosis that got him in the end and not the drugs.
I really couldn't believe it, after I'd just been discussing with a friend how I have Lick My Decals off, Baby on record, which is now seemingly impossible to purchase. Beefheart was such a ground-breaking musician and artist, merging genres such as blues, jazz and rock into his own, dadaist, poetic, avant-garde get-up.
Proving to be a HUGE influence on John Lydon, which is definitely present on PiL albums Metal Box and Flowers of Romance, Beefheart's controversial sound developed the foundations for punk, as well as many later experimental rock genres. (and of course, Blue Jeans and Moonbeams was greatly championed by Kate Bush).
In addition to collaborating with old school friend Frank Zappa on Willie the Pimp, Beefheart's legacy will live on, from allegedly locking the Magic Band in a room for weeks in order to record Trout Mask Replica, to apparently being bed-ridden from LSD, the Captain is still a leading genre inventor in my eyes and will always affect the style and sound of music to come.
So this is for you Beefheart
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