# The Magic Band > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/The_Magic_Band > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/The_Magic_Band.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_Band > Source revision: 1343749508 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Captain Beefheart's backing band}} {{Infobox musical artist | background = group_or_band | name = The Magic Band | image = The Magic Band @ Band On The Wall, Manchester 29-5-2014 (14121740677).jpg | image_size = 250px | image_upright = | landscape = | alt = | caption = The Magic Band at a reunion show in [Manchester](/source/Manchester), England, in 2014 | alias = | origin = [Lancaster](/source/Lancaster%2C_California), [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles), [California](/source/California), United States | genre = {{hlist|[Blues-rock](/source/Blues-rock)|[protopunk](/source/protopunk) (early)|[rhythm and blues](/source/rhythm_and_blues)|[garage rock](/source/garage_rock)|[experimental rock](/source/experimental_rock)|[art rock](/source/art_rock)|[psychedelic rock](/source/psychedelic_rock)}} | works = | years_active = {{Start date|1964}}–{{End date|1982}}
{{Start date|2003}}–{{End date|2017}} {{Cite web|url=http://www.beefheart.com/the-magic-band-farewell-tour-2017/|title = The Magic Band Farewell Tour 2017 – Captain Beefheart Radar Station}} | label = {{hlist|[A&M](/source/A%26M_Records)|[ABC](/source/ABC_Records)|[ATP Recordings](/source/ATP_Recordings)|[Buddah](/source/Buddah_Records)|[Blue Thumb](/source/Blue_Thumb_Records)|[Mercury](/source/Mercury_Records)|[Pye](/source/Pye_Records)|[Reprise](/source/Reprise_Records)|[Straight](/source/Straight_Records)|[Virgin](/source/Virgin_Records)}} | publishers = | spinoffs = | spinoff_of = | current_members = | past_members = See [members](/source/The_Magic_Band) | awards = | website = | module = | module2 = | module3 = }} '''The Magic Band''' was the [backing band](/source/backing_band) of American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist [Captain Beefheart](/source/Captain_Beefheart) between 1967 and 1982. The band was formed by guitarist [Alex St. Clair](/source/Alex_St._Clair) with Beefheart as the lead singer; eventually, they morphed into a backing band for him. The rotating lineup featured dozens of performers, many of whom became known by nicknames given to them by Beefheart. In 1974, several members left to form the short-lived group [Mallard](/source/Mallard_(band)).{{cite book|title=[The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music](/source/Encyclopedia_of_Popular_Music)|editor=[Colin Larkin](/source/Colin_Larkin_(writer))|publisher=[Guinness Publishing](/source/Guinness_Publishing)|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|page=1595}} In 2003, the Magic Band reformed without Beefheart, who died in 2010, and continued until 2017. ==Origins== The members of the original Magic Band had come together in 1964. At this time [Don Van Vliet](/source/Don_Van_Vliet) (later 'Captain Beefheart') was the lead singer of the group, which had been brought together by guitarist and former classmate [Alex St. Clair](/source/Alex_St._Clair). As in many emerging groups in California at the time, there were elements of [psychedelia](/source/Psychedelic_music) and the foundations of contemporary [hippie](/source/hippie) counterculture. In this early incarnation they were a [blues-rock](/source/blues-rock) outfit.{{cite web |last1=Ankeny |first1=Jason |title=Captain Beefheart – Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/captain-beefheart-mn0000988638 |website=AllMusic |access-date=21 November 2022}} The group was promoted as "Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band", on the premise that Captain Beefheart had "magic powers" and, upon drinking a [Pepsi](/source/Pepsi), could summon up "His Magic Band" to appear and perform behind him.Courtier, Kevin. ''Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica (33{{fraction|1|3}})'', p. 32, London: Continuum Press (2007) The strands of this logic emanated from Vliet's Beefheart persona having been "written in" as a character in a "teenage operetta" that friend [Frank Zappa](/source/Frank_Zappa) had formulated,{{cite web | url=http://www.beefheart.com/zigzag/gruntpeople/index.html | title=Captain Beefheart vs. the Grunt People | access-date=March 17, 2007 | publisher=The Captain Beefheart Radar Station | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407111704/http://www.beefheart.com/zigzag/gruntpeople/index.html | archive-date=April 7, 2007 | df=mdy-all }} along with Van Vliet's renowned "Pepsi moods" with his mother Willie Sue and his generally spoilt teenage demeanor. The name "His Magic Band" changed to "the Magic Band" in 1972. The group played numerous car-club dances and [juke joint](/source/juke_joint) gigs, and won the [Battle of the Bands](/source/Battle_of_the_Bands) at the Teenage Fair, an annual event held at the [Hollywood Palladium](/source/Hollywood_Palladium) in the 1960s.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bzj_AgAAQBAJ&q=magic+band+wins+teenage+fair+hollywood+palladium&pg=PT121|title=Beefheart: Through The Eyes of Magic|last=French|first=John "Drumbo"|date=2010-01-11|publisher=Proper Music Publishing|isbn=9780956121240|language=en}} In late 1965, with Leonard Grant as their manager, the group landed a contract to record two singles with [A&M Records](/source/A%26M_Records). Musical relationships had also been struck with members of [Rising Sons](/source/Rising_Sons), who would later feature in the band's recordings. Working with young producer [David Gates](/source/David_Gates) opened up horizons for Vliet's skills as a poet-cum-lyricist, with his "Who Do You Think You're Fooling" on the flip side of the band's first single, a cover of the [Ellas McDaniel](/source/Ellas_McDaniel)/[Willie Dixon](/source/Willie_Dixon)-penned hit "[Diddy Wah Diddy](/source/Diddy_Wah_Diddy)". Fate and circumstance, not for the first time, would befall the band's success upon its release – which coincided with a singles cover of the same song by [the Remains](/source/The_Remains_(band)).{{cite web| url= http://www.discogs.com/Captain-Beefheart-His-Magic-Band-Diddy-Wah-Diddy/master/184483 |title=Beefheart vs The Remains |work=Discogs.com |access-date=July 18, 2011}} The A&M deal also brought some contention between members of the band, who were torn between being an experimental "pop" group and a purist blues band. The initial line-up of the Magic Band that entered the studio for the A&M recordings was not that which emerged by the second release, "Moonchild", also backed by a Vliet-penned number, "Frying Pan". The original Magic Band was primarily a [rhythm and blues](/source/rhythm_and_blues) band, led by St. Clair, along with Doug Moon (guitar), Jerry Handley (bass), and Vic Mortenson (drums), the last being rotated with and finally replaced by Paul "P.G." Blakely. For the first A&M recording, Mortenson had been called up for [active service](/source/Active_duty) and St. Clairstood in on drums, with a recently recruited Richard Hepner taking up the guitar role. By the time the single was aired on a pop television show, P.G. Blakely was back in the drum seat. He then left for a career in television and was replaced by [John French](/source/John_French_(musician)) by the time the band cut their first album, as the first release on the new [Buddah Records](/source/Buddah_Records) label. A 12-inch vinyl 45 rpm mono EP/mono mini-cassette tape was released in 1987, with the four tracks of the two singles, plus "Here I Am, I Always Am" as a fifth previously unreleased song. This release was titled ''The Legendary A&M Sessions'', with a red-marbled cover and (later) members Moon, Blakely, Vliet, St. Clair and Handley seated in a "temperance dance band" photo-pose. Personnel in the Magic Band for Beefheart's first album, ''Safe as Milk'', were Alex St. Clair, Jerry Handley and John French. Earlier meetings with the Rising Sons had secured them the guitar and arranging skills of [Ry Cooder](/source/Ry_Cooder), which also brought about input from [Taj Mahal](/source/Taj_Mahal_(musician)) on percussion, and guitar work from Cooder's brother-in-law [Russ Titelman](/source/Russ_Titelman). Further guests to this line-up included [Milt Holland](/source/Milt_Holland) on percussion and the all-important and controversial [theremin](/source/theremin) work on "[Electricity](/source/Electricity_(Captain_Beefheart_song))" by [Samuel Hoffman](/source/Samuel_Hoffman). It was perhaps this track, above the others, which caused A&M to view the band as "unsuitable" for their label with music that was seen as weird and too psychedelic for popular consumption. A&M dropped them and the album was recorded for [Buddah Records](/source/Buddah_Records), with the band signed to [Kama Sutra Records](/source/Kama_Sutra_Records). Most of the tracks on this album were co-written with Van Vliet by [Herb Bermann](/source/Herb_Bermann), whom Vliet initially met at a bar gig near Lancaster.{{cite web |first=Graham |last=Johnston |url=http://www.beefheart.com/datharp/herb1.htm |title=The Captain Beefheart Radar Station – Herb Bermann interview pt 1 |work=Beefheart.com |access-date=February 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020115103/http://www.beefheart.com/datharp/herb1.htm |archive-date=October 20, 2008 }} Bermann would later write for [Neil Young](/source/Neil_Young) and script an early [Spielberg](/source/Steven_Spielberg)-directed television medical drama. [Gary "Magic" Marker](/source/Gary_Marker) (the "Magic" added by Beefheart) was involved in early session work for this release, with an unfulfilled suggestion that Marker might produce the album.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Captain-Beefheart-His-Magic-Band-Grow-Fins-Rarities-1965-1982/release/819304 |title=''Grow Fins'' CD box set booklet p.38 [also in vinyl set booklet]. |work=Discogs.com |date=April 3, 2009 |access-date=July 18, 2011}} Marker would later lay down two uncredited bass tracks for ''Trout Mask Replica'' before being replaced by [Mark Boston](/source/Rockette_Morton). French worked on five more Beefheart albums, while St. Clair worked with Beefheart on and off on three more albums. [Bill Harkleroad](/source/Zoot_Horn_Rollo) joined the Magic Band as guitarist for ''Trout Mask Replica'' and stayed with Beefheart through May 1974. ==Relationship with Beefheart== While appearing humorous and kind-hearted in public, by all accounts Van Vliet was a severe taskmaster who abused his musicians verbally and physically. Vliet once told drummer John French he had been diagnosed as a [paranoid schizophrenic](/source/paranoid_schizophrenic) and thus he would see nonexistent conspiracies that explained this behaviour.{{cite web|author=teejo |url=http://www.freewebs.com/teejo/argue/johndress.html |title=Don't argue the Captain |work=Freewebs.com |access-date=July 18, 2011}} The band members were reportedly paid little or nothing. French recalled that the musicians' contract with Van Vliet's company stipulated that Van Vliet and the managers were paid from gross proceeds before expenses, then expenses were paid, then the band members evenly split any remaining funds—in effect making band members liable for all expenses. As a result, French was paid nothing at all for a 33-city US tour in 1971 and a total of $78 for a tour of Europe and the US in late 1975. In his 2010 memoir ''Beefheart: Through The Eyes of Magic'' French recounted being "...{{nbsp}}screamed at, beaten up, drugged, ridiculed, humiliated, arrested, starved, stolen from, and thrown down a half-flight of stairs by his employer".[http://www.diskant.net/features/john-drumbo-french-through-the-eyes-of-magic-review-and-interview/ "John "Drumbo" French: Through The Eyes Of Magic review and interview"] diskant.net. Retrieved April 7, 2010. The musicians also resented Van Vliet for taking complete credit for composition and arranging when the musicians themselves pieced together most of the songs from taped fragments or impressionistic directions such as "Play it like a bat being dragged out of oil and it's trying to survive, but it's dying from asphyxiation."{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=axuUrjcnX5sC&q=1844494128|title=Captain Beefheart|publisher=Omnibus Press|last=Barnes |first=Mike|year=2000|isbn=1844494128 |page=59}} John French summarized the disagreement over composing and arranging credits metaphorically:{{harvnb|Barnes|2001|pp=815–816}}{{fails verification|date=March 2025}} {{blockquote|If Van Vliet built a house like he wrote music, the methodology would go something like this ... The house is sketched on the back of a [Denny's](/source/Denny's) placemat in such an odd fashion that when he presents it to the contractor without plans or research, the contractor says "This structure is going to be hard to build, it's going to be tough to make it safe and stable because it is so unique in design." Van Vliet then yells at the contractor and intimidates him into doing the job anyway. The contractor builds the home, figuring out all the intricacies involved in structural integrity himself because whenever he approaches Van Vliet, he finds that he seems completely unable to comprehend technical problems and just yells, ''"Quit asking me about this stuff and build the damned house."''...When the house is finished no one gets paid, and Van Vliet has a [housewarming party](/source/housewarming_party), invites none of the builders and tells the guests he built the whole thing himself.}} Most of the group quit after the recording of ''[Unconditionally Guaranteed](/source/Unconditionally_Guaranteed)'' in 1974, owing to years of allegedly abusive treatment by Beefheart, lack of compensation, and dissatisfaction with his new crossover direction. Beefheart's subsequent recordings in the late 1970s would enlist a new cast of younger musicians under the Magic Band heading. ==Reunion== Receiving only a "grumpy" reception from Van Vliet, the Magic Band re-formed in 2003 with [John French](/source/John_French_(musician)) on drums, lead vocals and harmonica, [Gary Lucas](/source/Gary_Lucas) and [Denny Walley](/source/Denny_Walley) on guitars, [Rockette Morton](/source/Rockette_Morton) on bass, and [Robert Williams](/source/Robert_Williams_(drummer)) on drums for the vocal numbers. The impetus came from [Matt Groening](/source/Matt_Groening), who wanted them to play at the [All Tomorrows Parties festival](/source/All_Tomorrows_Parties_festival), which he was curating. For their subsequent European tour, Williams left and was replaced by Michael Traylor. [John Peel](/source/John_Peel) was initially skeptical about the re-formed Magic Band. However, after he aired a live recording of the band playing at the 2003 All Tomorrow's Parties (ATP) festival on his radio show, he was at a loss for words and had to put on another record to regain his composure. In 2004 the band did a live session for him at his home "Peel Acres".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/sessions/2000s/2004/ |title=Radio 1 – Keeping It Peel – Sessions – 2004 |publisher=BBC |access-date=February 11, 2010}} They played over 30 shows throughout the United Kingdom and Europe, and one in the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.beefheart.com/blog/2006/09/magic-memories.html |title=Captain Beefheart Up Sifter: Magic memories |work=Beefheart.com |access-date=February 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817131033/http://www.beefheart.com/blog/2006/09/magic-memories.html |archive-date=August 17, 2009 }} They also released two albums: ''Back to the Front'' (on the London-based [ATP Recordings](/source/ATP_Recordings), 2003) and the live album ''21st Century Mirror Men'' (2005). The group disbanded in 2006 but re-formed in 2011, with Lucas and Traylor replaced by Eric Klerks and Craig Bunch respectively, to play at ATP once again. which was due to take place in November.{{cite web|url=http://www.atpfestival.com/events/jeffmangum.php |title=ATP curated by Jeff Mangum |work=Atpfestival.com |access-date=July 18, 2011}} The festival was postponed until the following March but they honored the other UK and Ireland dates which had been booked to coincide with it, the new line-up being dubbed "The Best Batch Yet". They returned to play the rescheduled ATP and more UK gigs in March 2012, followed by a European tour in September and October. They toured Europe again in 2013 and 2014. The re-formed band's repertoire was initially drawn mainly from the ''[Clear Spot](/source/Clear_Spot)'' and ''[Trout Mask Replica](/source/Trout_Mask_Replica)'' albums, with some of the latter's songs performed as instrumentals, allowing the intricacy of the instrumental parts to be heard, where they had previously been obscured by Beefheart's vocals. During subsequent tours the setlist was expanded to include a more representative selection of Beefheart's repertoire. French described the set as "a play which should be rolled out from time to time". ==Members== {{div col}} ===Original run=== ====Classic era==== * [Alex St. Clair](/source/Alex_St._Clair) – guitar, drums, musical director {{small|(1964–68; 1972–74; died 2006)}} * Jerry Handley – bass {{small|(1964–68)}} * [John French](/source/John_French_(musician)) (Drumbo) – drums, vocals, guitar, musical director {{small|(1966–69; 1970–71; 1975–76; 1977; 1980)}} * [Jeff Cotton](/source/Jeff_Cotton) (Antennae Jimmy Semens) – guitar, slide guitar, vocals {{small|(1967–69)}} * [Bill Harkleroad](/source/Zoot_Horn_Rollo) (Zoot Horn Rollo) – guitar, slide guitar, musical director {{small|(1968–74)}} * [Mark Boston](/source/Rockette_Morton) (Rockette Morton) – bass, guitar {{small|(1968–74)}} * [Victor Hayden](/source/The_Mascara_Snake) (The Mascara Snake) – bass clarinet {{small|(1968–69; died 2018)}} * [Art Tripp](/source/Art_Tripp) (Ed Marimba) – drums, marimba, percussion, piano, harpsichord {{small|(1969–74; session guest:1969, 1978)}} * [Elliot Ingber](/source/Elliot_Ingber) (Winged Eel Fingerling) – guitar {{small|(1970–71; 1971–72; 1974–76; died 2025)}} * [Roy Estrada](/source/Roy_Estrada) (Oréjon) – bass {{small|(1972–73; session guest:1969; died 2025)}} ====Others==== * Doug Moon – guitar {{small|(1964–67; session guest:1969)}} * Paul G. Blakely – drums {{small|(1964–65; 1966; died 1995)}} * Vic Mortenson – drums {{small|(1965)}} * Richard Hepner – guitar {{small|(1965–66)}} * [Ry Cooder](/source/Ry_Cooder) – guitar, slide guitar {{small|(1967)}} * Gerry McGee – guitar, slide guitar {{small|(1967; died 2019)}} * [Gary "Magic" Marker](/source/Gary_Marker) – bass {{small|(1968; died 2015)}} * Jeff Burchell – drums {{small|(1969)}} * [Bruce Fowler](/source/Bruce_Fowler) (Fossil) – trombone, air bass {{small|(1975–76; 1978–80)}} * Greg Davidson (Ella Guru) – guitar, slide guitar {{small|(1975)}} * [Jimmy Carl Black](/source/Jimmy_Carl_Black) (Indian Ink) – drums, percussion {{small|(1975; session guest:1969; died 2008)}} * [Denny Walley](/source/Denny_Walley) (Feelers Rebo) – guitar, slide guitar, accordion {{small|(1975–78)}} * [Jeff Moris Tepper](/source/Moris_Tepper) (White Jew) – guitar, slide guitar {{small|(1976–82)}} * John Thomas – keyboards {{small|(1976)}} * [Eric Drew Feldman](/source/Eric_Drew_Feldman) (Black Jew Kittaboo) – bass, keyboards {{small|(1976–81; session guest:1982)}} * Gary Jaye – drums {{small|(1976–77; died 2011)}} * [Robert Williams](/source/Robert_Williams_(drummer)) (Wait For Me) – drums, percussion {{small|(1977–81)}} * Richard Redus (Mercury Josef) – guitar, slide guitar {{small|(1978–79)}} * Richard Snyder (Brave Midnight Hat Size) – guitar, slide guitar, bass, marimba, viola {{small|(1980–82)}} * [Gary Lucas](/source/Gary_Lucas) – guitar, slide guitar {{small|(1980–82)}} * [Cliff Martinez](/source/Cliff_Martinez) – drums, percussion, glass washboard {{small|(1981–82)}} ===Reunion era=== ====Current==== * [John French](/source/John_French_(musician)) – drums, vocals, saxophone, guitar, harmonica {{small|(1966–69; 1970–71; 1975–76; 1977; 1980; 2003–2017)}} * [Mark Boston](/source/Rockette_Morton) – bass, guitar {{small|(1968–74; 2003–2017)}} * Eric Klerks – guitar, bass, [iPad](/source/iPad) {{small|(2009–2017)}} * Andrew Niven – drums {{small|(2013–2017)}} * Max Kutner – guitar {{small|(2014–2017)}} * Jonathan Sindleman – keyboards {{small|(2016–2017){{Cite web|url=http://www.beefheart.com/the-magic-band-farewell-tour-2017/|title = The Magic Band Farewell Tour 2017 – Captain Beefheart Radar Station}}}} ====Past==== * [Denny Walley](/source/Denny_Walley) – guitar, slide guitar, accordion {{small|(1975–78; 2003–14)}} * [Robert Williams](/source/Robert_Williams_(drummer)) – drums, percussion {{small|(1977–81; 2003)}} * [Gary Lucas](/source/Gary_Lucas) –guitar, slide guitar {{small|(1980–82; 2003–09)}} * Michael Traylor – drums {{small|(2003–09)}} * Craig Bunch – drums {{small|(2009–13)}} * Brian Havey – keyboards {{small|(2016)}} {{div col end}} ===Classic era (1964-82)=== {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:120 bottom:90 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/09/1964 till:31/12/1982 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:5 start:1965 ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1965 Colors = id:Vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals id:harm value:lavender legend:Harmonica id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:Keyboards value:purple legend:Keyboards id:Percussion value:claret legend:Percussion id:Woodwinds value:tan2 legend:Woodwinds id:Horns value:skyblue legend:Horns id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album id:Bars value:gray(0.95) BackgroundColors = bars:bars LineData = layer:back color:studio at:25/06/1967 at:15/10/1968 at:16/06/1969 at:15/12/1970 at:15/04/1971 at:15/01/1972 at:15/10/1972 at:15/04/1974 at:15/11/1974 at:15/10/1978 at:15/08/1980 at:15/09/1982 BarData = bar:Vliet text:"Don Van Vliet" bar:Clair text:"Alex St. Clair" bar:Moon text:"Doug Moon" bar:Hepner text:"Richard Hepner" bar:Gates text:"David Gates" bar:Cooder text:"Ry Cooder" bar:McGee text:"Gerry McGee" bar:Cotton text:"Jeff Cotton" bar:Harkleroad text:"Bill Harkleroad" bar:Underwood text:"Ian Underwood" bar:EIngber text:"Elliot Ingber" bar:Smith text:"Dean Smith" bar:Fuscaldo text:"Fuzzy Fuscaldo" bar:Davidson text:"Greg Davidson" bar:Walley text:"Denny Walley" bar:Tepper text:"Jeff Moris Tepper" bar:Redus text:"Richard Redus" bar:Snyder text:"Richard Snyder" bar:Lucas text:"Gary Lucas" bar:Handley text:"Jerry Handley" bar:Marker text:"Gary Marker" bar:Boston text:"Mark Boston" bar:Estrada text:"Roy Estrada" bar:Uhrig text:"Paul Uhrig" bar:IIngber text:"Ira Ingber" bar:Fowler text:"Bruce Fowler" bar:Feldman text:"Eric Drew Feldman" bar:Grasso text:"Tom Grasso" bar:Smotherman text:"Michael Smotherman" bar:Gibbons text:"Mark Gibbons" bar:Thomas text:"John Thomas" bar:Blakely text:"PG Blakely" bar:Mortenson text:"Vic Mortenson" bar:French text:"John French" bar:Burchell text:"Jeff Burchell" bar:Tripp text:"Art Tripp" bar:Grimes text:"Ty Grimes" bar:Pello text:"Gene Pello" bar:Black text:"Jimmy Carl Black" bar:Jaye text:"Gary Jaye" bar:Williams text:"Robert Williams" bar:Martinez text:"Cliff Martinez" bar:Hayden text:"Victor Hayden" bar:Simmons text:"Del Simmons" PlotData= width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,–4) bar:Vliet from:01/09/1964 till:01/09/1974 color:Vocals bar:Vliet from:01/06/1975 till:01/08/1982 color:Vocals bar:Vliet from:01/09/1964 till:01/09/1974 color:Harm width:3 bar:Vliet from:01/06/1975 till:01/08/1982 color:Harm width:3 bar:Vliet from:01/08/1967 till:01/09/1974 color:Woodwinds width:7 bar:Vliet from:01/06/1975 till:01/08/1982 color:Woodwinds width:7 bar:Clair from:01/09/1964 till:15/01/1966 color:Guitar bar:Clair from:15/01/1966 till:15/06/1966 color:Drums bar:Clair from:15/06/1966 till:01/06/1968 color:Guitar bar:Clair from:02/01/1973 till:15/03/1974 color:Guitar bar:Clair from:01/04/1967 till:11/06/1967 color:Bass width:3 bar:Moon from:01/09/1964 till:01/04/1967 color:Guitar bar:Hepner from:15/01/1966 till:15/03/1966 color:Guitar bar:Gates from:15/05/1966 till:15/06/1966 color:Guitar bar:Gates from:15/05/1966 till:15/06/1966 color:Keyboards width:3 bar:Cooder from:01/04/1967 till:11/06/1967 color:Guitar bar:Cooder from:01/04/1967 till:11/06/1967 color:Bass width:3 bar:McGee from:11/06/1967 till:01/08/1967 color:Guitar bar:Cotton from:01/08/1967 till:01/10/1969 color:Guitar bar:Cotton from:01/08/1967 till:01/10/1969 color:Vocals width:3 bar:Harkleroad from:01/06/1968 till:15/03/1974 color:Guitar bar:Underwood from:01/11/1969 till:15/11/1969 color:Guitar bar:EIngber from:01/10/1970 till:03/02/1971 color:Guitar bar:EIngber from:01/09/1971 till:01/07/1972 color:Guitar bar:EIngber from:01/06/1975 till:01/02/1976 color:Guitar bar:Smith from:15/03/1974 till:01/11/1974 color:Guitar bar:Fuscaldo from:15/03/1974 till:01/10/1974 color:Guitar bar:Davidson from:01/06/1975 till:01/08/1975 color:Guitar bar:Walley from:01/08/1975 till:01/06/1978 color:Guitar bar:Tepper from:01/02/1976 till:01/08/1982 color:Guitar bar:Redus from:01/06/1978 till:01/01/1979 color:Guitar bar:Redus from:01/06/1978 till:01/01/1979 color:Bass width:3 bar:Snyder from:01/10/1980 till:01/03/1982 color:Guitar bar:Snyder from:01/10/1980 till:01/03/1982 color:Bass width:3 bar:Snyder from:30/01/1981 till:01/08/1982 color:Bass bar:Lucas from:01/10/1980 till:01/08/1982 color:Guitar bar:Handley from:01/09/1964 till:01/08/1968 color:Bass bar:Marker from:01/08/1968 till:01/09/1968 color:Bass bar:Boston from:01/09/1968 till:01/03/1972 color:Bass bar:Boston from:01/03/1972 till:01/10/1973 color:Guitar bar:Boston from:01/10/1973 till:15/03/1974 color:Bass bar:Boston from:01/11/1969 till:01/03/1972 color:Guitar width:3 bar:Boston from:01/03/1972 till:01/10/1973 color:Bass width:3 bar:Boston from:01/10/1973 till:15/03/1974 color:Guitar width:3 bar:Estrada from:01/03/1972 till:01/10/1973 color:Bass bar:Uhrig from:15/03/1974 till:01/10/1974 color:Bass bar:IIngber from:01/10/1974 till:01/11/1974 color:Bass bar:Fowler from:01/06/1975 till:01/02/1976 color:Bass bar:Fowler from:01/06/1975 till:01/02/1976 color:Horns width:3 bar:Fowler from:15/03/1978 till:01/10/1980 color:Horns bar:Fowler from:15/03/1978 till:01/10/1980 color:Bass width:3 bar:Feldman from:01/05/1976 till:30/01/1981 color:Bass bar:Feldman from:01/05/1976 till:30/01/1981 color:Keyboards width:3 bar:Blakely from:01/09/1964 till:01/04/1965 color:Drums bar:Mortenson from:01/04/1965 till:01/05/1965 color:Drums bar:Blakely from:01/05/1965 till:01/11/1965 color:Drums bar:Mortenson from:01/11/1965 till:15/01/1966 color:Drums bar:Blakely from:15/06/1966 till:15/10/1966 color:Drums bar:French from:15/10/1966 till:01/10/1969 color:Drums bar:French from:15/10/1966 till:01/10/1969 color:Vocals width:3 bar:French from:01/08/1968 till:01/10/1969 color:Percussion width:7 bar:Burchell from:01/10/1969 till:15/11/1969 color:Drums bar:Burchell from:01/10/1969 till:15/11/1969 color:Percussion width:3 bar:Tripp from:15/11/1969 till:01/04/1970 color:Drums bar:Tripp from:15/11/1969 till:01/04/1970 color:Percussion width:3 bar:French from:01/04/1970 till:01/09/1971 color:Drums bar:French from:01/04/1970 till:01/09/1971 color:Vocals width:3 bar:French from:01/04/1970 till:01/09/1971 color:Percussion width:7 bar:Tripp from:01/04/1970 till:01/09/1971 color:Percussion bar:Tripp from:01/04/1970 till:01/09/1971 color:Drums width:3 bar:Tripp from:01/05/1971 till:01/09/1971 color:Keyboards width:7 bar:Tripp from:01/09/1971 till:15/03/1974 color:Drums bar:Tripp from:01/09/1971 till:15/03/1974 color:Percussion width:3 bar:Grimes from:15/03/1974 till:01/10/1974 color:Drums bar:Grimes from:01/10/1974 till:01/11/1974 color:Percussion bar:Grimes from:01/10/1974 till:01/11/1974 color:Drums width:3 bar:Pello from:01/10/1974 till:01/11/1974 color:Drums bar:French from:01/06/1975 till:01/05/1976 color:Drums bar:French from:01/06/1975 till:01/05/1976 color:Vocals width:3 bar:French from:01/06/1975 till:01/05/1976 color:Percussion width:5 bar:French from:01/06/1975 till:01/05/1976 color:Guitar width:7 bar:Black from:01/06/1975 till:01/08/1975 color:Percussion width:3 bar:Black from:01/06/1975 till:01/08/1975 color:Drums bar:Jaye from:01/05/1976 till:01/07/1977 color:Drums bar:Jaye from:01/05/1976 till:01/07/1977 color:Percussion width:3 bar:French from:01/07/1977 till:01/08/1977 color:Drums bar:French from:01/07/1977 till:01/08/1977 color:Vocals width:3 bar:French from:01/07/1977 till:01/08/1977 color:Percussion width:7 bar:Williams from:01/08/1977 till:30/01/1981 color:Drums bar:Williams from:01/08/1977 till:30/01/1981 color:Percussion width:3 bar:French from:01/01/1980 till:01/10/1980 color:Guitar bar:French from:01/01/1980 till:01/10/1980 color:Vocals width:3 bar:French from:01/01/1980 till:01/10/1980 color:Percussion width:5 bar:French from:01/01/1980 till:01/10/1980 color:Bass width:7 bar:Martinez from:30/01/1981 till:01/08/1982 color:Drums bar:Martinez from:30/01/1981 till:01/08/1982 color:Percussion width:3 bar:Grasso from:01/10/1969 till:15/10/1969 color:Keyboards bar:Smotherman from:15/03/1974 till:01/11/1974 color:Keyboards bar:Gibbons from:01/10/1974 till:01/11/1974 color:Keyboards bar:Thomas from:01/02/1976 till:01/05/1976 color:Keyboards bar:Hayden from:01/09/1968 till:28/10/1969 color:Woodwinds bar:Simmons from:15/03/1974 till:01/10/1974 color:Woodwinds bar:Simmons from:15/03/1974 till:01/10/1974 color:Horns width:3 }} ===Reunion era (2003-17)=== {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:120 bottom:90 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2003 till:12/31/2017 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:5 start:2003 ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:2003 Colors = id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals,_saxophone,_harmonica id:Guitars value:green legend:Guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Keyboards value:purple legend:Keyboards id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:Percussion value:claret legend:Percussion id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album id:Bars value:gray(0.95) BackgroundColors = bars:bars LineData = layer:back color:studio at:07/08/2003 at:09/12/2005 BarData = bar:Drumbo text:"John French" bar:Walley text:"Denny Walley" bar:Gary text:"Gary Lucas" bar:Klerks text:"Eric Klerks" bar:Kutner text:"Max Kutner" bar:Boston text:"Mark Boston" bar:Havey text:"Brian Havey" bar:Sindleman text:"Jonathan Sindleman" bar:Williams text:"Robert Williams" bar:Traylor text:"Michael Traylor" bar:Bunch text:"Craig Bunch" bar:Niven text:"Andrew Niven" PlotData= width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,–4) bar:Drumbo from:start till:end color:Vocals bar:Drumbo from:start till:end color:Drums width:7 bar:Drumbo from:start till:end color:Guitars width:3 bar:Walley from:start till:06/01/2014 color:Guitars bar:Walley from:start till:06/01/2014 color:Keyboards width:3 bar:Gary from:start till:06/01/2009 color:Guitars bar:Klerks from:06/01/2009 till:end color:Guitars bar:Klerks from:06/01/2009 till:end color:Bass width:3 bar:Kutner from:06/01/2014 till:end color:Guitars bar:Boston from:start till:end color:Bass bar:Boston from:start till:end color:Guitars width:3 bar:Havey from:01/01/2016 till:06/01/2016 color:Keyboards bar:Sindleman from:06/01/2016 till:end color:Keyboards bar:Williams from:start till:06/01/2003 color:Drums bar:Williams from:start till:06/01/2003 color:Percussion width:3 bar:Traylor from:06/01/2003 till:06/01/2009 color:Drums bar:Traylor from:06/01/2003 till:06/01/2009 color:Percussion width:3 bar:Bunch from:06/01/2009 till:06/01/2013 color:Drums bar:Bunch from:06/01/2009 till:06/01/2013 color:Percussion width:3 bar:Niven from:06/01/2013 till:end color:Drums bar:Niven from:06/01/2013 till:end color:Percussion width:3 }} ==Discography== {{Main|Captain Beefheart discography}} With Captain Beefheart: {| style="width:100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" |- valign="top" |style="width:50%"| * ''[Safe as Milk](/source/Safe_as_Milk)'' (1967) * ''[Mirror Man](/source/Mirror_Man_(Captain_Beefheart_album))'' (1967, released 1971) * ''[Strictly Personal](/source/Strictly_Personal)'' (1968) * ''[Trout Mask Replica](/source/Trout_Mask_Replica)'' (1969) * ''[Lick My Decals Off, Baby](/source/Lick_My_Decals_Off%2C_Baby)'' (1970) * ''[The Spotlight Kid](/source/The_Spotlight_Kid)'' (1972, credited to Beefheart solely) * ''[Clear Spot](/source/Clear_Spot)'' (1972) |style="width:50%"| * ''[Unconditionally Guaranteed](/source/Unconditionally_Guaranteed)'' (1974) * ''[Bluejeans & Moonbeams](/source/Bluejeans_%26_Moonbeams)'' (1974) * ''[Bat Chain Puller](/source/Bat_Chain_Puller)'' (1976, released 2012) * ''[Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)](/source/Shiny_Beast_(Bat_Chain_Puller))'' (1978) * ''[Doc at the Radar Station](/source/Doc_at_the_Radar_Station)'' (1980) * ''[Ice Cream for Crow](/source/Ice_Cream_for_Crow)'' (1982) |} The Magic Band solo: * ''[Back to the Front](/source/Back_to_the_Front)'' (2003) * ''21st Century Mirror Men'' (2005) == References == {{Reflist}} ==External links== *{{AllMusic}} *{{Discogs artist}} *{{MusicBrainz artist}} {{Captain Beefheart}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Magic Band, The}} Category:Captain Beefheart Category:Rock music groups from California Category:American art rock groups Category:American blues rock musical groups Category:American experimental rock groups Category:Surrealist groups Category:ATP Recordings artists Category:Proper Records artists Category:Virgin Records artists Category:Dandelion Records artists Category:Let Them Eat Vinyl artists Category:Musical groups established in 1964 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1981 Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2003 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2017 Category:1964 establishments in California Category:1981 disestablishments in California Category:2003 establishments in California Category:2017 disestablishments in California --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Magic Band](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_Band) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_Band?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.