Adios to one of the most unique talents to come out of the 60s music scene.  Don Van Vliet aka Captain Beefheart died on December 18, of MS.  Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa were collaborators from the moment they met each other in high school in Lancaster, CA in the early 60s.  Blessed with extraordinary and edgy musical talent, neither Frank nor Don suffered from great commercial potential, but both cut wide swaths of influence.  Don walked away from the music business in the 80s, returning to his early interest in art.  He was financially more successful with his painting than with his music, and his last years were spent productively.  Link to his gallery:  The Captain Beefheart Radar Station.

A great obituary from Richard Cromelin for the Los Angeles Times.