BEEFHEART: THROUGH THE EYES OF MAGIC by John "Drumbo" french

As an obsessive Zappa fan since age 12, it was inevitable that I would have a few words to say after reading this Captain Beefheart biography. It's honestly one of the most unique Rock biographies I've ever read, and I've been through quite a few. Close to 900 pages, with the tiniest print you can imagine, this could have easily been two or three books. Long story short, if you can believe what you read here, the Captain had more in common with Jim Jones than he ever did with his old high school buddy Frank Zappa. Apparently being a member of the Magic Band was a pretty harrowing experience. Especially back in the early daze. If you’ve ever read anything about Zappa you know he never comes out smelling like a rose. The fact that he finally does here speaks volumes about just how difficult it must have been to be involved in any way with Don Van Vliet. The author, former Magic Band drummer John French, goes into laborious detail and also provides corroborating interviews with surviving members of the Captain's band.  So it’s both credible and incredible. This thing really tested my patience, I gotta be honest. But it's a wealth of information and an absolute goldmine for Beefheart fans. A little repetitive. And Drumbo is no Hemingway. But this vivid and visceral thing put me right inside Beefheart’s weird world. A brutally bumpy ride, destination unknown. A singular reading experience suitable to this singular artist. If the words Safe As Milk, or Trout Mask Replica mean anything to you, you’ll want to read this. ~ Ric Hickey, July 21, 2025