Peter's music has been heard on hundreds of radio stations and has been on SiriusXM rotation for over a decade. As a multi-award winning artist, Peter's music has also topped Billboard's Classical and Crossover charts.
For Captain Beefheart, a maverick-artist-musician, who was not just a complicated man but highly demanding and by most accounts very difficult to deal with. It was appropriate that Beefheart's Magic Band was to prominently feature a bassist as accomplished, bold and adventurous as Mark Boston, a.k.a Rockette Morton.
Born on July 14, 1949, Mark began life in the small town of Salem, Illinois before his family moved out to Lancaster, California when he was 13. With a bassist and steel player for a father, Mark gained a great appreciation for country and bluegrass along with the R&B and rock’n’roll that was on the rise. Within a year of the Boston clan moving out to Lancaster, Mark befriended a young guitarist by the name of Bill Harkleroad.
At a time when the bass guitar was seen as the dummy’s instrument, Mark left quite an impression on Bill with his talent and equipment, leading to the two joining forces to form BC And The Cavemen. With Mark’s mother sewing some outfits for them, the band developed a decent reputation, and the two would also play in a band with Jeff Cotton and John French known as Blues In A Bottle. And then a local hero came calling. Or perhaps screaming and howling!
In that same Lancaster scene, Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band were making a big splash as a top flight blues rock outfit, with 'Safe As Milk' having made a strong impression and 'Strictly Personal' being a strong record as well. But even with a sound that was speaking to people, one that perhaps would have been a more pragmatic one as far as a career goes, Don Van Vliet just wasn’t meant for conventional norms.
The Captain had all these ideas, ideas far too out for many, including early members. He needed new musicians, younger and more impressionable ones that wouldn’t object to his ideas. Already having John and Jeff in the band, now 'Drumbo' and Antennae Jimmy Semens, he then recruited Bill, dubbed Zoot Horn Rollo. And on bass, he found Mark Boston, who took the name Rockette Morton due to his love of outer space. And the classic Magic Band was born.
Trout Mask Replica (TMR) wasn’t an easy album to make. Yet even with all the bizarre ideas and the difficulty in preparing those ideas into music, Mark was a total champ through it all. The Beefheart sound is one of great dichotomy, and Mark can capture all of it. He’s so tight and precise, and yet there’s this raw grit and dirt. He’s highly intelligent and sophisticated in his playing, and yet there remains this childlike sense of wonder and curiosity.
He takes after all the great traditional American music, yet out into a whole other realm of time and space. The bass traditionally serves the role of grounding the harmony while locking in with the drums to provide a foundation, yet Mark’s playing often serves as another melody line in the music. In a lot of ways, he’s like a third guitarist that just happens to be playing bass.
The TMR on its own is a legacy few can compete with, and yet Mark contributed to more classic records like "Lick My Decals Off, Baby", "The Spotlight Kid", and "Clear Spot". There on Decals, you get the equivalent of Godfather II. With Mother Art Tripp on marimba and drums rather Jeff on guitar, you get an album that captures a great deal of TMR's brilliance while being brilliant in its own unique way.
Then you get to 'The Spotlight Kid', with bass godliness on cuts like “When It Blows Its Stack”, resulting in a bass solo that often opened shows, yet Mark proves himself just as talented on traditional in-the-pocket styles as demonstrated on cuts like “I’m Gonna Booglarize You Baby”. And that thing about bassists being failed guitarists? In the 'Clear Spot', with Mark taking guitar and the rhythm section now being a mini Mothers reunion of Art and Roy Estrada, yet nobody missed a beat. Throughout the record, Bill and Mark’s kinship really shines, their weaving right there with what Bill and Jeff had done, or what was done with Alex St Clair early on.
Of course, dealing with Don was quite a task of its own, so it’s inevitable that Mark and the others would all end up departing by 1974. He and Bill soon formed a group of their own called Mallard. For two albums, the first with Art and having some writing help from John French 'Drumbo', Mallard showed itself a pretty decent blues rock outfit. And giving that it was Mark who finally had a chance to create something that was truly his own rather than helping some achieve their vision, it’s understandably the work that he takes pride in. And over time, he’d end up making a solo record and create some cool artwork of his own, as well as performing with 'Drumbo' in the reformed Magic Band, allowing the music to live and breathe on stage again.
If you’re a Beefheart fan, how can you not love Rockette Morton? Not only a uniquely talented bass player but such a great stage presence full of joy, along with a lovably quirky personality and such a sweet guy. Easily one of my favorites from Magic Band members, you can’t help but smile when thinking about Mark. He’s been through some rough weather, including his health scares, and yet he’s still the same Mark we’ve known and loved all the years.
Happy birthday Mark! Thank you for all you have given us and look forward to more.
___________________
Patrick Moore is a freehand drawing artist and freelance music writer.
News East-West
TORONTO: In a way, Canada Day on July 1 is what August 15 is to India. It is time for celebrations. And it is time for toasting success and success stories.
We, in the Toronto area, know a very successful turbaned face that often pops up in ads in major papers. With his index finger raised, this gentleman announces himself to be the officially anointed Super Fan of the city-based NBA team Toronto Raptors.
DON'T MISS: How Nav Bhatia became a superfan
It is none other than Nav Bhatia, the top Indian-born car dealer here.
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Nav Bhatia in a city bus ad[/caption]
In fact, he is among the biggest dealers in Ontario province and among the top four-five in Canada.
``I am proud to say that we are also among the top three or four service providers in Canada...we are known for commitment and client allegiance,’’ says Bhatia sitting in his busy Mississauga Hyundai Superstore.
[caption id="attachment_19461" align="alignnone" width="640"]
Super Man, Super Fan[/caption]
Indeed, this 60-year-old Sikh, who came to Canada from India in 1984 with a few dollars, is known among Indo-Canadian and mainstream communities for his steadfast commitment to clients and friends.
Among his friends are celebrities, leaders and big basketball players of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
``People come first for me. I value associations and friendships and that is the reason I am successful. I have known former BlackBerry co-CEO Jim Balsillie for years. We are great friends. This boy Peter Russell who is top Canadian comedian-actor is very close to me,’’ he says, pointing to a photo of Indo-Canadian comedian Peter Russell on his office wall.
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Nav Bhatia[/caption]
Then he explains how his association with Toronto Raptors - the city-based team of the National Basket Association (NBA) has got him officially designated as Super Fan. Because of his unique status, he says, he has become the most famous Indian face on the most-watched NBA games in North America.
``As I have watched over 500 games, they have given me the status of Super Fan. During Vaisakhi and Diwali, I buy 3,000 tickets for NBA games for over $300,000 and give them to Sikhs and non-Sikh children so that they can enjoy matches. The idea is make the mainstream in North America aware about turbans and my Indian identity. The idea is to integrate my Indian community with the mainstream,’’ says Bhatia.
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Can you tell who is the boss?[/caption]
The multimillionaire Sikh says he also plans to sponsor the Canadian basketball Olympic team. ``Right now, Canada is very low on the Olympic basketball table. But within the next few years, I want them to win the Olympic medal. I am roping in basketball stars to train our Olympic team. And don’t forget that we are Canada’s top car dealership when it comes to raising funds for charities.’’
According to Bhatia,``Bridge-building with the mainstream is the road to success, and this is what I am doing.’’
And he has his reasons to.
``Something happened in 1998. I was walking into a Bell cellphone repair centre when a gentleman - who was talking on the phone - looked at me and said loudly: `Honey, I have to hang up now as my cab is here.‘ This man thought that all turbaned guys are cabbies. I wanted do change stereotype by telling the mainstream who we are.’’
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Bhatia is workaholic.[/caption]
He also recalled the discrimination he faced when he landed in Canada. ``I was a guy with a degree in mechanical engineering from California State University. But nobody would give me a job because of my turban. It was so bad back in those days.’’
But thankfully, a Chinese car dealer gave him a break as salesman. ``I was desperate so succeed that I sold 127 cars within three months. And the Chinese gentleman rewarded with a promotion as a manager. I always tell new immigrants that you have to work twice as hard to succeed, and that’s what I did. I am on the job from 8 am to 11 am.’’
And so impressed was Hyundai with his commitment that they made him the manager of a failing dealership to turn it around.
Within a few years, he not only turned it around but also bought it in 1989. Over the years, he has gone to buy more dealership and become one the top dealers in Canada.
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Nav Bhatia watching an NBA game in the company of Canadian rapper-actor Drake.[/caption]
Interestingly, Bhatia is also the man behind introducing Bollywood in a big way in Canada. Beginning with Hum Saath Saath Hain in 1999, he would bring newly released Bollywood films to Toronto and screen them at multiple theatres.
``We also brought many top-notch Bollywood stars - the Big B Amitabh Bachchan, A.R. Rehman, Shahrukh, Aamir , Akshay and others to perform before mainstream audiences. This helped promote Indian culture and identity. Promoting my roots and culture remains my aim,’’ he says.
But more than his success, Bhatia is known for standing by his community, his people and his friends.
And he is not like so many other rich, pompous Indians here who speak with forked tongues and have zero record of helping fellow immigrants. Bhatia is genuine and down to earth, say his long-time colleagues. Others tell you how he has helped many fellow immigrants get their footing in Canada.
READ ALSO: How immigrant doctor Birinder Singh Ahluwalia broke the ceiling in Canada
madhu: hello sir ..
sat sree akal
i am 60 yrs woman from india i want to shift to canada...can i get some work so i can live there..ple reply zaroor kare han bhi na bhi.
mail id hai
[email protected]
love spells: Hi,I check your blog named "How Nav Bhatia became a Canadian super success story" daily.Your humoristic style is witty, keep it up! And you can look our website about love spells.
Yousif: Good job I am Immigerant I will be start small business ,then to be wealthy in Canadá we have to work smart ,last week I was in your dealr ver y nice place i love it
Geoffrey: I was at the Raptors game an Nav you took time to take pictures with everyone my son included.
You make me proud as an immigrant. There is no better example of the Toronto mosaic that you paint
Keep up the good work
muhammed gupta: very very very very proud of you nav. we used to go to the same college my brother. good day, sir. can i get some raptors tickets pls?
muhammed: hi
Mohammed: Good story, I'm sure he worked hard. But please don't put any Indian culture into the mainstream. This is Canada, leave it as is thank you.
Jatinser kaur: U hv son.wht is his age I want to marry my daughter.no dowry.very good looking n talented.
HawtDawg Bob: Nav there sadly not very many people on this earth like you. You are a human that we should all aspire to be like. Thank you for all of the goodness you both create and spread. Like you, I still believe that the word of the mouth is a promise you make and keep. Thank you!
Bubba Fucic: Ummmmm,,Does Russel Peters have a cousin or?? thats a comedian as well;) Cant seem to find him anywhere,but then there's not that many 7~11's in the Shwa
Ray: Nice article. Don't understand at the end why there is a bigoted slam on other Indians being bigoted and selfish. Here is this guy who says he (Sihk) was a minority in India, yet speaks to building the image of Indians (big range of people and languages) in general as well as the understanding if guys in turbans. The brief dig on Indians by the author doesn't fit this article. It would be like ending an article on an NBA player by saying "He's not like all those other black people."
Vishal Rajput: Yeah Ashok very true...if u have time I would like speak to u my email [email protected]
Sundeep Achreja: Congrats Nav Bhatia on proving that Indians are smart and successful in America and Canada! My name is Sundeep Achreja. I would love to be a part of your successful team.
parmjeet Reen: Hi Nav
This is to congratulate you that you have good team working for you, we were new immigrants when we approached your dealership for a new car, your flexible policies helped us get our first car,so essential to connect to a new country
Regards
parmjeet
Jennifer Gopinath: Congratulations to yet another "Canadian Desi". I am proud of your accomplishments & we are all proud of you. (My good friend's brotehr -in-law)! Way to go Navji!!!!
Best wishes, jennifer gopinath
anup bhatia: Dear Nav he is my first cousin and when i read about him i feel so proud about the time we spent in my aunts home in mehrauli green park hauz khas . You have gone a long way Billa bhaaji you can call me +91 9769691885 if you ever read thsi message
anup mumbai india
Jasjit Singh Jaaj, Dubai: Proud of u Nav jio.I always call u when I reach Toronto and again call to say Bye before I leave. This one sided affair will carry on from my side--u bet.God Bless u.
GURBAJ SINGH: Very good for Indian
Ashok Bhargava, Vancouver: Dear Nav - we are all so proud of you. May the sun shine on you, always.
Hemant M Shah (Winnipeg Manitoba): Congrats to Shri Bhatiaji.
Way to go..keep it up .. 
