News: Captain Beefheart
A handwritten poem from the sadly missed musician, written in 1975
Words Max Goldbart
Here’s a handwritten poem by the good Captain Beefheart, scrawled on the back of a tour poster in 1975 and given to music writer and label executive Bill Bentley.
Says Bill of the poem, received when he interviewed the Magic Band great after a Frank Zappa show in Austin, Texas: “…I asked Captain Beefheart to draw me a picture, since he was doodling as we spoke. He got a poster from another Armadillo show and on the back quickly wrote out this poem. The words flowed out of him spontaneously. He signed it and handed it to me, and then took it back. He added at the end, “Progress is Channel No. 5 on the rocks,” and then drew a foot around those words with notes circling it. He called it his “footnote.” As I got ready to leave, I started to fold the poster. He said very loudly, “No!” He took it from me and rolled it up before handing it back, and said “Some day you’ll thank me.” He didn’t want me to crease the poster, knowing it would adversely affect the value.”
Fancy getting hold of the poem? Tough! It’s just been auctioned off for an undisclosed fee via the Record Mecca website.
[Via Dangerous Minds]
