New Wave Outpost Forum

A true innovator and one of the most influential figures in rock history has died at the age of 69.

The good Captain was a widely cited influence on a diverse range of New Wave and Post-Punk acts such as XTC, Minutemen, They Might Be Giants, Devo and The B-52s among many. Alongside the Velvet Underground, no act is more widely credited as an influence and shaped the face of modern rock like Captain Beefheart.

Farewell Captain Beehheart.

Indeed, he was one of my favorites from the 60's and 70's. The man made some of the strangest stuff put on vinyl and never looked back. He quit the biz when his stuff was only getting better and better and went into retirement to follow his other passion, painting. He wasn't about the money, he was about the creation. I wish more artists would follow his lead.

I just watched the 1997 BBC documentary on youtube. Amazing! I finally "get" Captain Beefheart. I also can see how the early B-52s and Devo captured his adventurous spirit.