Captain Beefheart Fantasy Fair Magic Mountain 1967

[sarjane62]

Yes, that's the show! Drummer John French describes the event in his book called BEEFHEART: Through the Eyes of Magic. The photographer did not take any photos of that occurring.

[underwwraps2]

Was this the show where Beefheart fell off stage onto the manager?

[flaxonx3]

Amazed to hear this festival predated Monterey by a week yet seems to have been wiped from the annals of documented rock history despite it's stellar line-up.

[HaxoAngmark]

Interesting to see the photos, but I can't agree that "Everyone should read Drumbo's book." I bought it and was extremely disappointed. French is a fine drummer, but a poor, untrained, unfocused, undisciplined writer. Way too many irrelevancies and digressions; could have been much more effective at much less than half the length. A competent editor was badly needed. Reading the book was like sifting through a huge sandbox to end up with only a few worthwhile nuggets.

[mautgolightly]

Thanks for this. Been searching for ANYTHING from that day and there is nothing except a very distorted film of the Doors. I was there. Yes, i was tripping...along with many others. What a week end! Wish there was more on this festival. I did manage to find the poster.

Oh..and Beefheart was outrageous!

[violetjm]

@mautgolightly - Must be good memories for you. Wish I had been there. Sarjane62 also posted other photos from this festival, as "San Francisco 1967 Byrds Jefferson Airplane, etc ..." If you have the time, maybe you'll watch it and identify some of the musicians. The guys from Captain Beefheart were identified, and some Byrds and Airplane, but many are unknown. If you know anyone from that other Sarjane62 video, please post a comment. Hard to find ANYTHING, as you said. Thanks so much!

[PolarSkua]

@mautgolightly Do you remember Canned Heat's performance from this festival? If so, I would be very interested to hear anything you have to say! Thanks.

[Honeysucklebommie]

Punchy number this one.

Electricity the only thing thats alive,invisible and will kill you.

[vootie99]

WHY Is this ID'd as "Fantasy Fair Magic Mountain 1967?" This is a studio cut from the first Beefheart album...

[sarjane62]

@vootie99

All the images here are from original 35mm film negatives and were taken at the 1967 outdoor concert in Marin County.

[vootie99]

@sarjane62 aha... now I understand... thanks...

[autodidactbreather]

that theremin is completely ILL!! Captain Beefheart was a genius in ways that most of us will never really understand... we're just scratching the surface of the man's artistry...

[icebirdz]

Great to see this posted THANKS!

Dapper guy -- beefheart back then....one of a kind.....

[MattHatter]

"Safe As Milk" one of the greatest albums of all time! I bought it a few months ago and lately haven't been able to stop playing it. Beefheart was truly a maverick and a musical genius.

[ThePnewsome]

Sure is a great loss and a end as ya say . shit my heart is sure heavy . What a shock ... R.I.P . Don . Damm if there is a paradise Don n Zappa are banging .

[sarjane62]

Thanks UglyMuggins.

[nubient]

RIP Captain

[festilina]

Just heard that the Captain has died. A great loss. He was a unique character and one of the greatest contributors to music we've ever had. A great musician, a truly creative genius. No one to touch him. No one to replace him. This is the end of a golden period.

RIP Captain. You will not be forgotten.

[Rotateitbaby]

@festilina I don't think anyone could have put that better. We should be thankful that he was able to grace us with his illustrious talent and creativity. He certainly will not be forgotten. Rest In Peace Van Vilet.

[bnaior]

Quite a find. I'm glad it's not 1967 anymore...but its great point of reference. Have also worked my way thru 'Thru the Eyes of Magic'. I'm working on a sci-fi story where 2 of the characters attend a 'Magic Band' reunion concert. All that sweat has done a lot for so many folks over the years. Ditto on the percussionosity...maybe sumday in Charlottesville....

[buska100]

Dig it. Great pics.

Cheers

[davidfuckinggogo]

Amazing shots !! These guys are slick !!

[yurtseed]

these are wonderful photos , thanks for posting, great to see john french commenting , nearly finished his brilliant book, LOVE IT .

[potrezeb1]

wonderful stuff .....thank you Sarjane62

[slimturnpike]

What is that high-pitched squealing, grunting thing? My ears stand up when I hear that sound. This time it sounds like it's for keeps.

[wailin1967]

@slimturnpike It's a theramin - probably most notably used on the Beach Boys 'Good Vibrations'

[drkanukie]

@slimturnpike theramin

[hssmrg]

Terrific! I have just finished John French's monumental book, but I never expected to see photos of this event. I didn't see the Magic Band until they came to England the following year. Mike G

[Wanderlustus]

Great audio, and nice images. Thankies.

[dantean]

WOW! Thanks for posting.

[sbilts]

Great photos of a great band, was a bit surprised to see Ry Cooder was playing an acoustic guitar though...the band look sharp...

[Kafoozalum]

@sarjane62

Fantastic Photos

[Kafoozalum]

Its fantastic seeing those crisp clear photos.

Well done!

[rubyeyednewt]

Superb photos! What a wonderful find. These have tremendous impact, especially having just read Drumbo's Beefheart book. Thanks very much for sharing

[joechill1]

Great photos! Thanks for posting!

[fireclownfish]

always nice to know what the bull got into, despite the bull. not like his afficianados steered clear! The best batch yet!

[HPSBENBENEK]

comfy little hippie venue - nice photoroonies - - funny, I've been a cordial fan all my life and never heard about Beefheart's LSD intake until recently. In line 2004 during an album signing I asked Ry Cooder to describe his Beefheart experiences...he looked up at the ceiling, cocked his head back, took a deep breath and moaned: "Jesuz, that's like trying to describe a hurricane...I mean, uh..." -  He wouldn't elaborate.

[jfrenchmusic]

Beefheart ( Van Vliet) walked off the stage right after the intro to the second song, having experienced some kind of LSD flashback. At 2:08, Ry Cooder is picture behind Jerry Handley watching Don walk off the stage. I'm the guy in the white suit playing drums.

[UncleWaldemar]

"Drumbo"! Fancy stumbling into you here - just finished reading your book, Beefheart: Through The Eyes Of Magic. A fascinating chronicle. Thank you for putting in the time and effort, and also for your great "chops" which I've enjoyed immensely for the past 40 years. P-K-Ro-Pically yours, Waldemar - Norway's second biggest CB fan (my brother is just very slightly ahead of me.)

[dantean]

jfrenchmusic You're a hero of mine. VERY cool white suit, by the way.

[drkanukie]

@jfrenchmusic thanks for the frame of reference - read about this event in your brilliant book, kind of a pivotal moment in your life. weird huh to see it here.

[rberbill]

@jfrenchmusic - Cool story. The way it has been retold to me (I wasn't there) is he had panic and stress issues and he was prone to beinga no show on occasion and had a diificult time performing. Not sure if that is accurate.

[gezunder]

@jfrenchmusic How you doing John. Love your playing.

[solargesture]

@jfrenchmusic great suit mr French. even greater drum playing. i strive to rock out looking sharp someday. as for now it's hard work and practice. rock on mr French

[wrayb]

Wow. What a Stumble! The Beefheart ones are unique but the other band shots are also priceless. This must have been a pro news photog. This stuff should be preserved for history.

[r3inr3in]

Okay, I see. So if you have the negs you know the order in wich they were taken. I'm interested in the order of the Beefheart-pics. I think the sequence start with the 16th picture, where drummer John French is adjusting the drum kit. (accoording his book Through the Eyes of magic). Sure, a great photographer!

[sarjane62]

I collect old photos and stumbled upon these little gems. There are no identifying marks on the negs. Unknown photographer. (Great photographer!)

[rollinred251]

Would love to buy a Set?

[gezunder]

@sarjane62 Brilliant job. Thankyou - love, Steve.

[r3inr3in]

This is amazing! Thanks for uploading. Did you make these pictures? Who is the photographer?

I think the 11th picture is the most dramatic one.