The Captain is Dead

Don Van Vliet, who became a rock legend as Captain Beefheart, died yesterday Dec. 17 at 69 from complications from multiple sclerosis in California. His passing was announced by the New York-based Michael Werner Gallery, which represented his work as a painter.
Van Vliet leaves behind a wife, Jan. The two were married for more than 40 years.
His Trout Mask Replica was number 58 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
He was a friend of Frank Zappa (both were born in Lancaster, California) and sparsely collaborated with him. Beefheart's music was a powerful mix of rock, blues, psichedelia, free-jazz and avant-garde.
Read about him on Rolling Stones. 
R.i.P. Captain...