Genius drummer - he also transcribed almost all of Captain Beefheart’s musical ideas during the Trout Mask Replica era to the band, no easy task. John French is a genius in his own right. Love him. His drumming on Safe as Milk and Strictly Personal also blows my mind.

This guy is truly one of the most original drummers I've ever heard. His parts are so unusual. Being a Magic Band member that's not much of a surprise, but still...

This clip provided a breakthrough for me in my understanding (or lack thereof) of how this music came to be. Don had managed to assemble this bunch of teen-aged musicians who had what it took to make this music he thought might be possible possible. But it was a stretch - and the basic set-up might fall apart at any moment, if he couldn't keep it together through further manipulation. The irony, which John points out here, is that those musicians had come to him. They were there because they were already convinced that they wanted more than anything to be in on whatever was about to happen. There were on Don's team. The further irony, though, is that if they'd all somehow managed a hippie cum-by-ah group-hug moment - and all realized that they were on the same team - Trout Mask Replica would have been a casualty. In his book (I read it last night), Bill Harkleroad describes the Trout Mask sound (on two separate pages) as "anxious shrapnel" and "tortured metal." It was a struggle for all concerned. In retrospect, both Bill and John find it hard to believe that they didn't just tell Don to get bent so they could proceed with making music - engaging their considerable talents in an un-impinged-upon way. Both those guys were tasked with being the band leader and musical translator (John for Trout Mask, and Bill for Decals), and both later realized that when Don pulled them into the closet to whistle the base part for the new song, and then they had to scramble to get it down, they each had opportunities there for input - even if it was just to make obvious corrections. Neither did, though - because each recognized that even though they couldn't help hating the guy the whole time, they recognized that he actually deserved to be in the driver's seat.

But they are the Magic Band !! ....with pain comes gain !! Thank you for the gain !! 😁❤

that's It?!?!? MORE!!!!!!

John and the rest of the band had it rough, I know. And though talented musicians, without meeting Don would have mostly ended up in long forgotten west coast bands or the like. As it is, this music, and by association them, will still be talked about in 100 years. I'd say it was worth it.

" Don't you know, they're going to be looking for you, and asking you about this one day? We are doing something nobody else has ever done."

Right - I'm off. To buy this book.

He separated us because he was afraid we would turn on him but the truth is exactly the opposite we were very supportive of him

love the EQ

A short series of disconnected questions

He broke off a broomstick and started going come on come on guys don't let him get away and he convinced me that I was wrong that I was being selfish That I had Missed something

Shouldn’t he be wearing underwear on his head?