ROCKETTE MORTON - this from the Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band facebook page

 Nice entry on one of my very favourite bass players bar none . . . . . . Mark Boston

Rockette Morton, Drumbo, Zoot Horn Rollo, Antennae Jimmy Semens and The Captain!

Mark Boston aka Rockette Morton on joining Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band in late 1968: 

'From the get-go, I had to start learning that really complicated, bizarre music. But I recognized it as a true art form. And I really wanted to be a part of it. That's why I stuck with it, even though it could get unbearable, some of the crap we had to go through with Don. I wouldn't call it mind control. He was just domineering, and everything had to be his way.

But he was right-on. Everything he did was creative. I even helped him with some of his paintings -- mixing the paints, keeping the brushes clean, and changing the easel. He would go out to the yard and do a bunch of new ones.

When we were practicing, John (French) took over as musical director. Don would ramble on the piano for hours, and John would stand over him with a notepad. Don always came up with interesting patterns and rhythms, and John would sit there and jot it down, because he was good at music notation. He had to sit down and teach the parts to each one of us. Then we would practice on our own. We had a little shed out back for a laundry room, and we would take turns going there to practice. Then we would all come together and try to play the songs.'

'Wisdom from a Beefheart bassist'.

Mark Boston aka Rockette Morton Interview by Austin Woods

(December 2023)

'Perfect Sound Forever recently spoke to him about recording Trout Mask Replica, as well as his time in Mallard (a short-lived group made up of former Magic Band members), and his own solo work.' 

Mark Boston: 

"Anybody that's got a chance to do something different from everybody else -- do it. Work at it. It takes a lot of work, and you've got to be determined. But I think music is a good thing. The gift of humanity is art... (Art) is the universe expressing itself. That's the way I see it."

Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band - Facebook page

Rockette Morton is FURIOUS!!