This night thread is dedicated to Don Van Vliet, who was born on this day in 1941. As Captain Beefheart, he was one of the most influential American musicians of the 1960s and 1970s. He was childhood friends with Frank Zappa, with whom he developed a life-long love-hate relationship. After two decades in the spotlight as an avant-garde musician, Van Vliet retired from performing to devote himself to painting. He passed age 69 in 2010.

Have a fun night, everyone!