The Magic Band

The Magic Band was the group that backed Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet). Guitarist Alex St. Clair put it together in the Lancaster and Los Angeles area of California as a blues-rock band, and it grew into the vehicle for Beefheart's polyrhythmic, blues-based rock. The band is known above all for Trout Mask Replica (1969), along with Safe as Milk (1967) and Clear Spot (1972). The lineup changed often. Its members included John "Drumbo" French, Bill Harkleroad (Zoot Horn Rollo), Mark Boston (Rockette Morton), Jerry Handley, Art Tripp, Elliot Ingber and Denny Walley.