Jeff Cotton
Encyclopedia
Jeff Cotton is an American
rock guitarist
, known for his work as a member of Captain Beefheart
's Magic Band. Cotton first came to attention as guitar
ist with Merrell and the Exiles
, who had a few local hits in 1964 in the Los Angeles
area. He subsequently joined Blues in a Bottle, which also featured future Magic Band members Mark Boston, Bill Harkleroad
and John French
. He was recruited into the Magic Band in 1968 as a replacement for Ry Cooder
.
Cotton contributed unique and challenging slide guitar to live performances, Strictly Personal
, Mirror Man and Trout Mask Replica
; for which he was renamed Antennae Jimmy Semens.
He left the Magic Band in 1970 after being attacked by temporary drummer Jeff Bruschell during a group "talk" and having ribs broken. But this was probably just the final straw
, having experienced the reclusive 8 months of rehearsals for Trout Mask Replica
during which Beefheart experimented on the group members with sleep deprivation, food deprivation, and physical violence in an attempt to break their mental state down.
He renewed his professional relationship with Merrell Fankhauser
(of The Exiles) in a band called MU. Despite two critically acclaimed albums there was no commercial success, and he retired from the music business in 1975 to study the Christian Ministry
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, known for his work as a member of Captain Beefheart
Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet January 15, 1941 December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12...
's Magic Band. Cotton first came to attention as guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist with Merrell and the Exiles
Merrell Fankhauser
Merrell Wayne Fankhauser is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who was most active in the 1960s and 1970s with bands including the Impacts, Merrell & the Exiles, HMS Bounty, Fankhauser-Cassidy Band, and MU...
, who had a few local hits in 1964 in the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
area. He subsequently joined Blues in a Bottle, which also featured future Magic Band members Mark Boston, Bill Harkleroad
Bill Harkleroad
Bill Harkleroad, known professionally as Zoot Horn Rollo , is an American guitarist. He is best known for his work with Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band...
and John French
John French (musician)
John "Drumbo" French is an American drummer and musician. He played on Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica and on various other Beefheart recordings: Beefheart dubbed him "Drumbo"...
. He was recruited into the Magic Band in 1968 as a replacement for Ry Cooder
Ry Cooder
Ryland Peter "Ry" Cooder is an American guitarist, singer and composer. He is known for his slide guitar work, his interest in roots music from the United States, and, more recently, his collaborations with traditional musicians from many countries.His solo work has been eclectic, encompassing...
.
Cotton contributed unique and challenging slide guitar to live performances, Strictly Personal
Strictly Personal
-Personnel:*Don Van Vliet - vocals, harmonica*Alex St. Clair - guitar*Jeff Cotton - guitar*Jerry Handley - bass guitar*John French - drums-External links:* at the Captain Beefheart Radar Station....
, Mirror Man and Trout Mask Replica
Trout Mask Replica
Trout Mask Replica is the third album by Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band, released in June 1969. Produced by Beefheart's friend and former schoolmate Frank Zappa, it was originally released as a double album on Zappa's Straight Records label...
; for which he was renamed Antennae Jimmy Semens.
He left the Magic Band in 1970 after being attacked by temporary drummer Jeff Bruschell during a group "talk" and having ribs broken. But this was probably just the final straw
Final Straw
UK re-release bonus tracks*The AOL sessions feature frontman Gary Lightbody & lead guitarist Nathan Connolly being interviewed, and performing an acoustic rendition of "Run".*The dualdisc version does not include the UK bonus tracks....
, having experienced the reclusive 8 months of rehearsals for Trout Mask Replica
Trout Mask Replica
Trout Mask Replica is the third album by Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band, released in June 1969. Produced by Beefheart's friend and former schoolmate Frank Zappa, it was originally released as a double album on Zappa's Straight Records label...
during which Beefheart experimented on the group members with sleep deprivation, food deprivation, and physical violence in an attempt to break their mental state down.
He renewed his professional relationship with Merrell Fankhauser
Merrell Fankhauser
Merrell Wayne Fankhauser is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who was most active in the 1960s and 1970s with bands including the Impacts, Merrell & the Exiles, HMS Bounty, Fankhauser-Cassidy Band, and MU...
(of The Exiles) in a band called MU. Despite two critically acclaimed albums there was no commercial success, and he retired from the music business in 1975 to study the Christian Ministry
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
.