A QUICK GLOSSARY

All of Beefhearts musicians worked under pseudonyms given to them by the man himself. I’ve tried as best as I can to explain who is who in the text but here’s a handy list in case. This isn’t supposed to be definitive – more a guide to the people mentioned in the text from the era that Bill was in the band and what studio albums they played on as a time guide.

The best guide to the ever changing Magic Band line ups can be found here – http://www.freewebs.com/teejo/crew/crew.html

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART – Don Van Vliet (vocals, harmonica)

ZOOT HORN ROLLO – Bill Harkleroad (guitar – Trout Mask, Decals, Spotlight Kid, Clear Spot, Unconditionally Guaranteed)

DRUMBO – John French (drums – Safe As Milk, Strictly Personal, Trout Mask, Decals, Spotlight Kid)

ROCKETTE MORTON – Mark Boston (bass – Trout Mask, Decals, Spotlight Kid, Unconditionally Guaranteed, guitar on Clear Spot)

ANTENNAE JIMMY SEMENS – Jeff Cotton (guitar – Strictly Personal, Trout Mask)

ED MARIMBA – Art Tripp (marimba, percussion and other instruments on Decals, Spotlight Kid, main drummer on Clear Spot and Unconditionally Guaranteed)

OREJON – Roy Estrada (bass on Clear Spot)

MAGIC MARKER – Gary Marker (bass on Sugar N Spikes, Moonlight On Vermont from Trout Mask)

WINGED EEL FINGERLING – Elliott Ingber (guest guitar on The Spotlight Kid and slide guitar in various live line-ups of the Magic Band)

ALEX SNOUFFER– Alex St Claire (guitar – Safe As Milk, Strictly Personal, Unconditionally Guaranteed)