Rockette Morton on:
[Wikipedia]
[Google]
[Amazon]
Rockette Morton (born Mark Boston; July 14, 1949 in
In the book ''Lunar Notes: Zoot Horn Rollo's Captain Beefheart Experience'', guitarist Bill Harkleroad details some of the tensions that arose between Beefheart and members of the band. These tensions led to a split in 1974, when Rockette Morton left to form Mallard with bandmates John French, Bill Harkleroad, and Art Tripp. Mallard released two albums, '' Mallard'' (1975) and ''In A Different Climate'' (1976). Following the band's demise, Morton continued performing in various groups as guitarist and bassist.
Morton released a solo album, ''Love Space'', in 2003, about which he wrote: "If you enjoy listening to this music even half as much as I enjoyed recording it, I did my job." It was recorded at his music studio in Aiken, South Carolina.
Prior to the album's release he was featured in an article in the music magazine ''Stomp & Stammer'' (October 2002), titled "The Ring of Rockette Morton", in which he self-identified as "a space nut" and being "pro-space". He was 52 years old at the time and was living in a mobile home, decorated with alien and rocket ship models.
In 2003 Morton and other former members of
Extensive Biographical InformationRockette Morton
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morton, Rockette 1949 births Living people People from Salem, Illinois American rock bass guitarists American male bass guitarists The Magic Band members American rock guitarists Rhythm guitarists 20th-century American guitarists Nicknames Nicknames in music
Salem, Illinois
Salem is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,485 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Salem is located at (38.6282, -88.9482).
According to the 2010 census, Salem has a total area of , of w ...
) is an American musician, best known as a bassist and guitarist for Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band
The Magic Band was the backing band of American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Captain Beefheart between 1967 and 1982. The rotating lineup featured dozens of performers, many of whom became known by nicknames given to them by Beefhe ...
in the 1960s and 1970s.
Career
In 1963, after moving to Lancaster,California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
, Boston joined up with future Magic Band
The 6-meter band is the lowest portion of the very high frequency (VHF) radio spectrum internationally allocated to amateur radio use. The term refers to the average signal wavelength of 6 meters.
Although located in the lower portion of t ...
member Bill Harkleroad (aka Zoot Horn Rollo) in a band named B.C. & the Cavemen.
He was given the nickname "Rockette Morton" by Captain Beefheart after becoming a member of the Magic Band. Morton played on five of Beefheart's albums: ''Trout Mask Replica
''Trout Mask Replica'' is the third studio album by the American band Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band, released as a double album on June 16, 1969, by Straight Records. The music was composed by Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) and arrange ...
'' (produced by Frank Zappa in 1969), '' Lick My Decals Off Baby'' (1970), '' The Spotlight Kid'' (1972), '' Clear Spot'' (1972) and ''Unconditionally Guaranteed
''Unconditionally Guaranteed'' is the eighth LP by Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, originally released in 1974. It was recorded at Hollywood Sound, Los Angeles.
Upon release it was criticised for being too commercial; even so, it failed to ...
'' (1974). He originally played bass, but switched to rhythm guitar after former Little Feat bassist Roy Estrada
Roy Estrada (also known as "Roy Ralph Moleman Guacamole Guadalupe Hidalgo Estrada" and "Orejón"; born April 17, 1943) is an American former musician and convicted sex offender. He is best known for his bass guitar work with Frank Zappa and the ...
joined the band.
In the book ''Lunar Notes: Zoot Horn Rollo's Captain Beefheart Experience'', guitarist Bill Harkleroad details some of the tensions that arose between Beefheart and members of the band. These tensions led to a split in 1974, when Rockette Morton left to form Mallard with bandmates John French, Bill Harkleroad, and Art Tripp. Mallard released two albums, '' Mallard'' (1975) and ''In A Different Climate'' (1976). Following the band's demise, Morton continued performing in various groups as guitarist and bassist.
Morton released a solo album, ''Love Space'', in 2003, about which he wrote: "If you enjoy listening to this music even half as much as I enjoyed recording it, I did my job." It was recorded at his music studio in Aiken, South Carolina.
Prior to the album's release he was featured in an article in the music magazine ''Stomp & Stammer'' (October 2002), titled "The Ring of Rockette Morton", in which he self-identified as "a space nut" and being "pro-space". He was 52 years old at the time and was living in a mobile home, decorated with alien and rocket ship models.
In 2003 Morton and other former members of the Magic Band
The Magic Band was the backing band of American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Captain Beefheart between 1967 and 1982. The rotating lineup featured dozens of performers, many of whom became known by nicknames given to them by Beefhe ...
regrouped and embarked on a world tour, performing Captain Beefheart's music. They have continued to tour regularly as the Magic Band since then.
Discography
Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band
*''Trout Mask Replica
''Trout Mask Replica'' is the third studio album by the American band Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band, released as a double album on June 16, 1969, by Straight Records. The music was composed by Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) and arrange ...
'' (1969)
*'' Lick My Decals Off, Baby'' (1970)
*'' The Spotlight Kid'' (1972)
*'' Clear Spot'' (1972)
*''Unconditionally Guaranteed
''Unconditionally Guaranteed'' is the eighth LP by Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, originally released in 1974. It was recorded at Hollywood Sound, Los Angeles.
Upon release it was criticised for being too commercial; even so, it failed to ...
'' (1974)
Mallard
*'' Mallard'' *'' In a Different Climate''Solo
*'' Love Space (2003)''Guest appearances
*Ant-Bee
Ant-Bee (stage-name for Billy James) is an American experimental musician and writer. In his musical work, he is a psychedelic era revivalist, working with members of The Mothers of Invention; the original members of the Alice Cooper (band), Alic ...
: ''Electronic Church Muzik
''Electronic Church Muzik'' is the fourth Album#Studio album, studio album by Ant-Bee, released on February 28, 2011 by Barking Moondog Records. Recorded over the course of several years, it features musical contributions from members of Alice Coo ...
'' (Barking Moondog, 2011)
Further reading
* Harkleroad, Bill (1998). ''Lunar Notes: Zoot Horn Rollo's Captain Beefheart Experience''. Interlink Publishing. .References
External links
Extensive Biographical Information
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morton, Rockette 1949 births Living people People from Salem, Illinois American rock bass guitarists American male bass guitarists The Magic Band members American rock guitarists Rhythm guitarists 20th-century American guitarists Nicknames Nicknames in music