A lot of great people were born on January 15. Martin Luther King, Jr. comes to mind. So does Grover Lowdermilk-- a member of the infamous Chicago Black Sox and owner of the greatest name in baseball history.But the name that's most synonymous with this date in my mind is Captain Beefheart-- a singer, composer, artist and harmonica player extraordinaire. When I finally get around to ranking the San Fernando Valley's all-time best contributions to culture at large, Captain Beefheart is going to be on that list.
I can still remember the first time I heard Trout Mask Replica when it came out in June 1969. As those first crashing chords pummeled through the hi-fi, it was like being transported to a magical world where the lava lamps glowed the color of mud, and when the birds opened their beaks to chirp, experimental noise-rock came out instead. It was incredible-- enough to make you no longer care that the tabs of acid you bought on Vineland Avenue turned out to be Guatemalan postage stamps.
Although it would be 8 more years before I left Earth for the Lost Moon of Jupiter, I'd like to think that in some small way, Captain Beefheart inspired that journey.
And if not... well I do know his name inspired me to enter a Slim Jim-eating contest later that summer.
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