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Don Van Vliet (, born Don Glen Vliet; January 15, 1941 – December 17, 2010) was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and visual artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. He conducted a rotating ensemble called the Magic Band, with whom he recorded 13 studio albums between 1964 and 1982. His music blended elements of blues, free jazz, rock, and avant-garde composition with idiosyncratic rhythms, absurdist wordplay, and his wide vocal range. Known for his enigmatic persona, Beefheart frequently constructed myths about his life and was known to exercise an almost dictatorial control over his supporting musicians. Although he achieved little commercial success, he sustained a cult following as a "highly significant" and "incalculable" influence on an array of new wave, punk, and experimental rock artists.

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Born	Don Glen Vliet 15 January 1941 Glendale, California
Died	17 December 2010 (aged 69) Arcata, California
Zodiac	Capricorn
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Frank Zappa · Associate · 1940-1993 · American musician edit info

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Don Van Vliet has also been romantically linked to:

Pamela Des Barres 1948- American rock and roll groupie, writer, musician, and actress info edit view couple »

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Pamela Des Barres

American rock and roll groupie, writer, musician, and actress

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