NEWS: Captain Beefheart Dies Aged 69

Don Van Vliet AKA Captain Beefheart has died at the age of 69, only a few weeks short of his 70th birthday.

The singer, songwriter and visual artist passed away on Friday 17th December, last week in hospital in California.

Van Vliet died after complications from multiple sclerosis.

A representative at New York City's Michael Werner Gallery, where Van Vliet's artwork was being displayed, confirmed the news.

As a musician he recorded with a number of rotating artists under the name Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band. His 1969 album 'Trout Mask Replica', which was produced by Frank Zappa, was arguably his most critically acclaimed.

His last album was 1982's 'Ice Cream For Crow' and, following his retirement from music, Van Vliet concentrated on his work as a visual artist.

Here is a video of Captain Beefheart performing Big Eyes Beans From Venus on French television in 1980.