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.
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Patrick Moore is a freehand drawing artist and freelance music writer.
The India Independence Day Toronto celebrations have become the biggest event of the Indo-Canadian community
News East-West TORONTO, Aug 10: Top Canadian leaders, including Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, ministers and MPs, joined thousands of Indians in advance celebrations of India’s 66th Independence Day celebrations here on Saturday featuring cultural performances and a colourful parade in core downtown. Congratulating Indians at day-long Independence day celebrations at Yonge-Dundas Square, Premier Kathleen Wynne said, "It is a wonderful celebration and I wish you a safe and happy Independence Day." [caption id="attachment_84216" align="alignnone" width="640"]
India Consul General Preeti Saran and Panorama India Chair Jibanjit Tripathy (fifth from left) welcome the guests for India Day celebrations in Toronto on August 10.[/caption]
She praised the contribution of the Indo-Canadians for enriching Canada through their hard work and cultural diversity.
“You have strengthened our country through your hard work," the Premier said at the annual event organized by Panorama India – an umbrella organization of various Indian associations.
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Indian Consul General Preeti Saran.[/caption]
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India Independence Day gathering in Toronto.[/caption]
Highlighting deepening relations between India and the largest Canadian province, she said Ontario and India have a lot in common as both were models of democracy and multiculturalism.
Lauding the contribution made by the Indo-Canadians in strengthening these bilateral ties, the Premier said Ontario is “fortunate to have half a million people who trace their origin to India.’’
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ndian consul general Preeti Saran (middle) unveiling the Panorama India souvenir. To her right is Panorama Chair Jibanjit Tripathy. Suvarna Kulkarni, director of Panorama India, is seen on the right.[/caption]
She praised outgoing Indian consul general Preeti Saran for her contribution to strengthening bilateral ties between India and Ontario. “Preeti is one of the most gracious persons I have ever met,’’ Kathleen Wynne said.
Thanking the Premier, Preeti Saran called her the `dearest friend’ of India and said India and Ontario shared deep bonds of friendship and common values.
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Premier Kathleen Wynne with Consul General Preeti Saran, Consul D. Charandasi and Panorama India Chair Jibanjit Tripathy.[/caption]
Saran, who is leaving to take over as India’s ambassador to Vietnam, was wholesome in her praise of the Indo-Canadian community for their contribution in strengthening India-Canada relations.
“I had a pleasure working with the community…thank you for your immense support,’’ said the Indian Consul General.
She said the India Independence Day Toronto celebrations each year struck a chord in her and called her tenure as consul general in the city as `emotionally’ very satisfying.
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Premier Kathleen Wynne’s token of gesture for Consul General Preeti Saran.[/caption]
Welcoming the Premier, the Consul General, dignitaries and the huge gathering with Namaskar, Sat Sri Akal, Adaab, Vanakum and bienvenue, Panorama India Chair Jibanjit Tripathy said freedom remains the most cherished word in human history, and India’s freedom “remains the most cherished and recognized” event in world history. “As we continue to celebrate our independence, we remember those sacrificed their lives so that we could live a free nation,” said Tripathy, the spirit behind the India Independence Day Toronto celebrations.
He said Indo-Canadians are proud of their unique heritage and culture as well as being part of Canadian mosaic of multiculturalism. Today’ event, he said, is keeping with Panorama India’s mission to educate (others about India), celebrate (India’s diversity and rich heritage with others) and collaborate (with the mainstream).
Former Ontario minister Harinder Takhar congratulated the Indian community on India’s Independence Day and highlighted the role played by the outgoing consul general Preeti Saran in further deepening India-Canada ties.
“Preeti’s extra one and a half years were a bonus for us,’’ Takhar said amid laughter, referring to her four-and-a-half-year tenure in Toronto against the typical three-year assignments that Indian diplomats have enjoyed here.
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Tim Uppal, minister of state for multiculturalism, and Conservative leaders at India Day celebrations in Toronto on Saturday, August 10.[/caption]
In his speech, Tim Uppal, Canadian minister minister of state for multiculturalism, praised the immense contribution made Indo-Canadians to Canada.
Parliamentary secretary and senior-most Indo-Canadian MP Deepak Obhrai highlighted how India stood out in the world today for its vibrant democracy and economic growth and how it has become a role model for many countries since it began journey as an independent nation.
One of the high-profile community leaders at the India Independence Day Toronto celebrations, Senator Asha Seth read out Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s message of greetings for the Indo-Canadians.
“On August 15, 1947, the Indian national flag was raised for the first time and a new nation was born. Since that time, India has come into its own as a vibrant democracy and an emerging economic superpower, predicted to be the world’s third largest economy by 2050,’’ the Canadian prime minister said in his message.
“Canada stands ready to deepen our significant partnership with India in order to advance our common interests and to promote new opportunities for economic development and international trade for the benefit of both our peoples.’’
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Seniormost Indo-Canadian MP and parliamentary secretary Deepak Obhrai speaking at India Day celebrations in Toronto.[/caption]
The Canadian prime minister praised Panorama India, the umbrella body of various Indian organizations, for organizing India Day celebrations in Toronto.
“I would like to commend Panorama India for their hard work in organizing this event and for their commitment to fostering fellowship amongst Indo-Canadians in the GTA. You can be proud of your efforts to build a stronger community. Please accept my best wishes for a memorable celebration,’’ Prime Minister Harper said.
In his congratulation message read by MP John McCallum, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said, “Such festivities work to connect our Indian communities with all Canadians…I, and the Liberal Party of Canada, believe that this country is great not in spite of its diversity, but because of it, and these celebrations further enrich society by introducing people to Indian culture and traditions.”
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Mainu badi khushi hai ke main….,” Kirsty Duncan greets Indo-Canadians in her broken Hindi-Punjabi mix.[/caption]
Kirsty Duncan, MP from the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke North, won rounds of applause for delivering her small congratulatory speech in halting Hindi-Punjabi mixture.
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Ready trio for ceremonial welcome to the guests: Shalini Srivastava (right), Suvarna Kulkarni and Renuka Sharma (left)[/caption]
Earlier, the consul general unfurled the Indian national flag Tricolour and unveiled the Panorama India souvenir.
Among other prominent people who attended the opening ceremony were MPs Patrick Brown, Ted Opitz and Brad Butt; Amrit Mangat and Deepika Demerla (both Members of Provincial Parliament – MPPs – in Ontario); consuls D. Charandasi and Prit Pal Singh; Toronto Police Board chief Alok Mukherjee; Order-of-Canada Aditya Jha; Scotiabank multiculturalism director Pankaj Mehra; former senator Vim Kochhar; Lt Col (Hon) Hari Panday and retired soldiers of the Indian army living in the Greater Toronto Area.
After the opening ceremonies were over, a big India Independence Day Toronto Parade went around the downtown core, giving a glimpse of life in various Indian states. Decorated rickshaws and cultural troupes representing various Indian states added colour to the parade.
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Rickshaws as part of India Day parade in Toronto.[/caption]
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`O mera laung gawacha…’[/caption]
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Prichay performing at India Day celebrations in Toronto.[/caption]
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A Manipur dance group that performed at India Day celebrations for the first time.[/caption]
With the Independence Day parade winding off at about 1.30 PM, a pan-India cultural extravaganza was unleashed on the stage as artists depicting dance and music from various states performed non-stop till 8PM. Well-known Indo-Canadian Bollywood singer and music producer Prichay was the star of the evening.
Another highlight of the India Independence Day Toronto celebration was that for the time Manipur state from north-east India participated in its cultural and show. There were also two items by Sri Lankan Tamils from Toronto.
