On January 26, 1971, Richard Einhorn interviewed Don Van Vliet -- aka Captain Beefheart -- in a motel room in New York, for radio station WFMU. Also present for the conversation were Mark Boston ("Rockette Morton"), Art Tripp ("Ed Marimba"), and manager Grant Gibbs. Einhorn, who has since gone on to become a composer of some renown, was nineteen years old at the time. 

In 2001 Einhorn unearthed the tape while digging through his archives, and generously made CDs of the interview available to members of The Fire Party, the internet Captain Beefheart discussion list (http://www.beefheart.com/community/fire-party-discussion-list/). The discs did not circulate widely, however, so I asked him for permission to make the recording available again. He agreed, with the proviso that I "please be sure to spread it far and wide." Thanks to Soundcloud, I can honor that request.

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Since my original posting, I’ve unearthed a letter from Mr. Einhorn about his experience. Here is an excerpt:

“At the time I was a dj for WFMU—FM, a 'progressive radio station' in New Jersey that pioneered the 'free form format'. I had been a Beefheart fan for several years and when concerts were announced for early '71 in the city, the station arranged for me and another staffer (I forget whom) to interview him.

Based on info from the timeline website (my tape boxes just say 'beefheart interview'), the interview took place on January 26, 1971 in a Holiday Inn in Manhattan. The site said that the hotel was on the east side, but that may be wrong. According to my recollection, most likely it was the Holiday Inn in the west 50's on Eighth Avenue, the scene somewhat later on of the capture of the fugitive radical Angela Davis.

Perhaps the most interesting thing from my perspective (and the reason I dug it out) is than Don seems very generous, if somewhat paternalistic, towards the band's contributions and throughout the interview stresses their autonomy, their musicianship and their personal musical growth. This appears to contradict Bill Harkleroad's memoir. When I read it, I wanted to check if my recollection was right. (I suspect that Bill is accurate about the lack of formal credit and also 'eyeball to eyeball acknowledgement' but had no idea how much Beefheart praised the band during at least this interview. This is not to say that he doesn't deserve more credit. If Bill was the man doing most of the arranging/ rehearsing, he has been woefully under—appreciated and underpaid. Nevertheless, the genius behind the music is, to my ears, obviously Don).

A little bit about the New York shows. According to the timeline, they took place at 'Ungano's' in New York and there were two shows (I may be wrong but I think the club was actually called Ungaro's). My distinct recollection is that in fact there were four shows, two a night. I recall going to all four and meeting Jan and Don briefly after the last set of day 2 (which was probably after our interview on the 26th). I don't recall the lost instrument disaster, but I do remember seeing Ornette at one of the shows. More importantly, I remember that the group played so well that I was in tears. Apparently Gary Lucas was there too, I didn't know him then, but I can corroborate his perception of Harkleroad. He was simply awesome. As was Don. As were they all.”

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To learn more about Mr. Einhorn's music, visit his web site at www.richardeinhorn.com where you'll find much information about his prodigious output, including music samples. To read Einhorn's touching eulogy for Don Van Vliet, visit http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/in-memoriam-don-vliet-by-tristero.html. 

Obtain the file here: http://bit.ly/1Km08PD

Captain Beefheart Interview by Richard Einhorn for WFMU, January 26, 1971

Brian 'Ben' Mackenzie

"Brian 'Ben' Mackenzie (AKA Aneuon Shadielf, King of the Sylphs) has been actively interested in ancient and modern spiritual practices since his early teens (he was fascinated with Norse and Egyptian mythology as a tot, and shop-lifted a pack of tarot cards in public school). He was initiated into Tantric Buddhism when he was eighteen, at which time he had already been practicing mantra meditation and hatha yoga for one year under the instruction of "qualified" teachers. He has been blessed with teachings from such notable Lamas as Sogyal Rinpoche, Namkai Norbu, and the Twelfth Tai Situ-pa, and has received Milarepa, Medicine Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and other empowerments. While currently having the view that "truth is a pathless land," Brian has found much of value in Eastern and Western techniques of insight and self-development which he is eager to share with anyone sincerely interested. He is particularly keen on breathing, mantra and ecstatic dance, and following the commandment 'Thou shalt fall in love AT LEAST three times a day.'

Besides Rebalancing Integrative Bodywork (which Brian has been certified to practice since 1993) and various forms of meditation, Brian has received formal instruction in the following healing arts: Therapeutic Touch (Level 1), Reiki (levels I and II), Jin Shin Do (Basic), and Process-Oriented Psychotherapy (ongoing, since 1995). Brian has been a peer health educator and community organizer for many years, and has presented on his work to international audiences in Canada and overseas. He has also travelled to numerous intentional communities and spiritual retreat centres in North America, Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. He is an alumni of Starwood Festivals 13-15.

He lives with his Anam Cara (life partner) Kenn 'Snail' Quayle (Queen of the Gnomes) in Gibsons, at the foot of Mount Elphinstone, on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada, where they enjoy having an authentic 'wishing well' and lots of lovely flora and fauna in their faerie sanctuary."

Marius (not the Vampire) on drums, Joe "The Peoples Duke" Vita on Cajon, rhythm guitar, backing vocals, and videographer, Neme "The Maestro" Cava on lead rhythm guitar, Eric "Fingers" Librea on Bass, local legend Russ "The Strata-Master" Humphrey on lead guitar, and legendary front man and outlaw poet, Paul "P-Diddy" Gorman on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and harp.  Who's Amos?  Who the Frank knows?  Some say he's a 6'6" Filipino who knows karate (and I mean the real shit), others say he's got one of the sweetest turn around jumpers since Moses....who really knows...
70's tribute band, will only cover an artist once...really an honor for the artist to be chosen.....Bad Aces......

Composer, musical director and co-creator of Glass Eye Shadow Pictures, a shadow performance company.

Host of WGXC 90.1-FM's "Snackpoint Charlie"
https://wavefarm.org/radio/wgxc/schedule/zabnt9

Captain Beefheart Interview by Richard Einhorn for WFMU, January 26, 1971

Hell's Donut House