The Magic Band

The Magic Band
The Magic Band at a reunion show in Manchester, England in 2014
Background information
Origin	California, USA
Genres	Blues rock, avant-rock
Years active	1964–1982 2003–2017[1]
Labels	A&M, ABC, ATP Recordings, Buddah, Blue Thumb, Mercury, Pye, Reprise, Straight, Virgin
Past members	See members

The Magic Band was the backing band of American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Captain Beefheart between 1967 and 1982. Originally Beefheart had simply been the lead singer of the group, formed by guitarist Alex St. Clair, but 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. Longtime members during the band's heyday included drummer/arranger John French (a.k.a. Drumbo), guitarist Bill Harkleroad (a.k.a. Zoot Horn Rollo), bassist/guitarist Mark Boston (a.k.a. Rockette Morton), percussionist/keyboardist Art Tripp (a.k.a. Ed Marimba), guitarist Jeff Cotton (a.k.a. Antennae Jimmy Semens), and guitarist Elliot Ingber (a.k.a. Winged Eel Fingerling). Ex-members of the Magic Band formed the short-lived group Mallard in 1974.^[2] The Magic Band reformed in 2003, without Beefheart with artists like guitarist and bassist Eric Klerks.