Just loved that superb guitar of Zoots – Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band – the Trout Mask Replica/Lick My Decals Off Band. I saw that band in 1973 at the Rainbow. One of the most exciting gigs ever!
Captain Beefheart,Magic Band,Zoot Horn Rollo, Bill Harkleroad,lead guitar,guitarist,Trout Mask Replica,
Bill Harkleroad aka Zoot Horn Rollo is one of my heroes. I was fortunate enough to see the best band in the universe – Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band – a number of times back in the sixties and seventies. They were undoubtedly the greatest band that ever lived (and I’ve seen most of the biggest bands on the planet). Their interweaving rhythms, guitars and bass was the most complex and exciting sound to have been generated by any band. When that is coupled with Don Van Vliet’s (Captain Beefheart) incredible voice and poetry the result is in another planet.
Zoot was an amazing guitarist and remarkable individual. To see him play live in that band was a revelation.
This book is not a professionally written/ghost written book. It is not carefully crafted. It is Zoot reminiscing and talking about his experience in that band. I can imagine him talking into a tape-recorder with a friend. He saws he is not a writer, and he isn’t, but this is his story and recollections. I enjoyed it immensely.
Thanks Zoot. I loved your live performances and those brilliant albums you played on.
The Magic Band are still together with Drumbo, Rockette Morton and Denny Whalley. They are still brilliant and they are touring in November. Still one of the best bands around even without Don. What I would give to see Zoot do a guest appearance!
The good news is that I have today completed the first draft of the book. It is due out in July next year!
It presently weighs in at 230 pages but that might change.
I am about to embark on editing. I will be adding in snippets of information and altering parts. I will be shortening, lengthening and altering.
I will hunt out mistakes, add in facts, put my views, cite my experience and try to make it read smoothly.
I want it to be both definitive and fun.
The Captain was a man who deserves the best. I will do my utmost to deliver.
I’m now working on the photos before I start back in on the editing.
If anybody has photos that they would like to contribute then please contact me!
Thanks everybody!!
Bill Harkleroad aka Zoot Horn Rollo is one of my heroes. I was fortunate enough to see the best band in the universe – Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band – a number of times back in the sixties and seventies. They were undoubtedly the greatest band that ever lived (and I’ve seen most of the biggest bands on the planet). Their interweaving rhythms, guitars and bass was the most complex and exciting sound to have been generated by any band. When that is coupled with Don Van Vliet’s (Captain Beefheart) incredible voice and poetry the result is in another planet.
Zoot was an amazing guitarist and remarkable individual. To see him play live in that band was a revelation.
This book is not a professionally written/ghost written book. It is not carefully crafted. It is Zoot reminiscing and talking about his experience in that band. I can imagine him talking into a tape-recorder with a friend. He saws he is not a writer, and he isn’t, but this is his story and recollections. I enjoyed it immensely.
Thanks Zoot. I loved your live performances and those brilliant albums you played on.
The Magic Band are still together with Drumbo, Rockette Morton and Denny Whalley. They are still brilliant and they are touring in November. Still one of the best bands around even without Don. What I would give to see Zoot do a guest appearance!
I only saw him play twice but he blew my mind. That guitar sound was from a different planet.
I wish Zoot would come and play that long lunar note for me one more time. I’d die happy!
Captain Beefheart was the best band on the planet and Zoot the best guitarist (apart from Jimi). I saw them at the Rainbow in 1973 and they were amazing. So exciting!
You’re a genius Bill – where-ever you are!