Glen van Vliet
Glen van Vliet ([Stark, Neosho, Kansas, June 27, 1909 - Los Angeles, California, February 10, 1966) was the father of Don Van Vliet, A.K.A. Captain Beefheart, and the husband of Sue van Vliet. He was active as a truck driver.
In 1969, during the Trout Mask Replica sessions in Zappa's studio at his new home in 7885 Woodrow Wilson Drive, Zappa tried to relaunch his film project Captain Beefheart vs. The Grunt People, with Captain Beefheart and his mother, Sue van Vliet in starring roles. Since Beefheart's real-life father, Glen van Vliet had died in 1966, Howlin' Wolf was considered for the role of Beefheart's father. [1] The project came to a premature end after Beefheart and Zappa had a fall-out over the disappointing sales of Trout Mask Replica.
Frank Zappa about Glen van Vliet
From The Real Frank Zappa Book: "I spent more time with Don (Captain Beefheart) Van Vliet when I was in high school than after he got into 'show business.' He dropped out during his senior year, because his Dad, who was a Helms Bread truck driver, had a heart attack and 'Vliet' (as he was known then) took over his route for a while -- but most of the time he just stayed home from school. His girlfriend, Laurie, lived in the house with him, along with his Mom (Sue), his Dad (Glen), Aunt Ione and Uncle Alan. Granny Annie lived across the street."
