The desperately sad news has just started to circulate in the last hour that Don Van Vliet AKA Captain Beefheart has died.

He was just a month shy of his seventieth birthday. Between 1966 and 1982 the albums he recorded with the Magic Band, including his debut Safe As Milk, his personal favourite Lick My Decals Off, Baby and Trout Mask Replica -the latter being widely regarded as the most far-out rock record ever to be released – ensured that his place in musical history was ensured.

There will be a more detailed piece here tomorrow, but for now, treasure these.

Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band -‘Moonlight On Vermont.’ mp3

Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band -‘Big Eyes Beans From Venus.’ mp3

…and the title track from his last album: