Artist page · 04/07/2026

Captain Beefheart

GlendaleBorn in 1941Blues20 vinyl albums
Captain Beefheart, aka Don Van Vliet, emerged from Glendale, California. Combining blues, psychedelic rock, and experimental sounds, active mainly 1960s to early 1980s, alongside the Magic Band.
20Albums on Vinyles.com
1288Discogs releases
174kLast.fm listeners

About

Captain Beefheart, Pioneering avant-garde blues and psychedelic rock from 1960s America.

Over 20 vinyl releases including rare compilations; prices range €2 to €60, with audiophile 180g editions prized by collectors.

Captain Beefheart crafted a unique blend of rock, blues, and experimental music marked by avant-garde structures and surreal lyrics. His discography comprises more than 20 vinyl records, including studio albums, live recordings, and compilations, released on labels like Scorpio, Ozit, and Reprise. Collector interest is sustained by multiple pressings, colored vinyl editions, and 180-gram audiophile LPs. Noteworthy are releases such as "Dust Sucker" (2007 UK reissue), "Clear Spot" (1972), and "The Spotlight Kid" (1972), which showcase his diverse approach to songwriting and production.

Vinyles.com tracks real-time market prices, revealing fluctuations from affordable vintage original pressings to higher-priced limited editions.

Discography

Captain Beefheart — Discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Live At Knebworth Park Saturday 5th July, 1975Dandelion Records · 2016
2016
Live At Knebworth Park Saturday 5th July, 1975
Vinyl, LP, Album, Record Store Day
Live
Somewhere Over DetroitLet Them Eat Vinyl · 2015
2015
Somewhere Over Detroit
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Somewhere Over ParisLet Them Eat Vinyl · 2015
2015
Somewhere Over Paris
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Bat Chain PullerVAULTernative Records · 2012
2012
Bat Chain Puller
CD, Album
Studio
It Comes To You In A Plain Brown WrapperSundazed Music · 2008
2008
It Comes To You In A Plain Brown Wrapper
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Railroadism (Captain Beefheart And His Magic Bands Live In The USA 72-81)Viper · 2003
2003
Railroadism (Captain Beefheart And His Magic Bands Live In The USA 72-81)
CD, Album
Live
Dust SuckerMilksafe Productions · 2002
2002
Dust Sucker
CD, Album
Studio
I'm Going To Do What I Wanna Do (Live At My Father's Place 1978)Rhino Handmade · 2000
2000
I'm Going To Do What I Wanna Do (Live At My Father's Place 1978)
CD, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered
Live
Grow Fins: Rarities (1965-1982)Revenant · 1999
1999
Grow Fins: Rarities (1965-1982)
CD, Enhanced, Box Set, Album
Studio
London 1974Movieplay Gold · 1994
1994
London 1974
CD, Album
Studio
Ice Cream For CrowVirgin · 1982
1982
Ice Cream For Crow
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Doc At The Radar StationVirgin · 1980
1980
Doc At The Radar Station
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)Warner Bros. Records · 1978
1978
Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Bluejeans & MoonbeamsVirgin · 1974
1974
Bluejeans & Moonbeams
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Unconditionally GuaranteedMercury · 1974
1974
Unconditionally Guaranteed
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Clear SpotReprise Records · 1972
1972
Clear Spot
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
The Spotlight KidReprise Records · 1972
1972
The Spotlight Kid
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Mirror ManBuddah Records · 1971
1971
Mirror Man
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Lick My Decals Off, BabyStraight · 1970
1970
Lick My Decals Off, Baby
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Trout Mask ReplicaStraight · 1969
1969
Trout Mask Replica
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Strictly PersonalBlue Thumb Records · 1968
1968
Strictly Personal
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Safe As MilkBuddah Records · 1967
1967
Safe As Milk
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Captain Beefheart's career.

01
I'm Glad
·
02
Zig Zag Wanderer
·
03
Her Eyes Are a Blue Million Miles
Her Eyes Are a Blue Million Miles
Clear Spot · 1972
04
Sure 'Nuff 'n' Yes, I Do
·
05
Frownland
·
06
Electricity
·
07
Dropout Boogie
·
08
Abba Zaba
·

The essentials

The 3 Captain Beefheart albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 2007
LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered
Dust Sucker

A 2007 UK limited edition compilation showcasing rare tracks and unreleased material, valued for its extensive 19-track listing.

19 tracksLimited edition, numberedLP formatReleased on Ozit-Morpheus Records
#2 · 1974
LP, Album, Promo, Stereo
Bluejeans & Moonbeams

Released in 1974 on Mercury in the US, this record is noted for its blues rock style and nine-track vinyl promo editions.

9 tracksPromo stereo pressingUS Mercury labelVinyl LP
#3 · 1972
LP, Album, Stereo
The Spotlight Kid

1972 stereo LP from Reprise Records featuring avant-garde blues rock across ten tracks, widely available on vinyl collectors’ markets.

10 tracksStereo pressingReprise RecordsVinyl LP

Go further

Artists similar to Captain Beefheart

Artists who share part of Captain Beefheart's musical DNA.

Collectors

For vinyl die-hards

The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.

Market values (source: Discogs)

For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.

Dust Sucker
Master release · LP · 2002
Market position i
21,68 €
Min price 19 €Max price 24 €
Average price 21,68 €
Only 38 copies for sale on Discogs
64 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Bluejeans & Moonbeams
Master release · LP · 1974
Market position i
19,63 €
Min price 2 €Max price 29 €
Average price 19,63 €
Only 16 copies for sale on Discogs
517 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
The Spotlight Kid
Master release · LP · 1972
Market position i
16,54 €
Min price 15 €Max price 18 €
Average price 16,54 €
Only 26 copies for sale on Discogs
485 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Clear Spot
Master release · LP · 1972
Market position i
24,41 €
Min price 12 €Max price 60 €
Average price 24,41 €
Only 79 copies for sale on Discogs
731 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Mirror Man
Master release · LP · 1971
Market position i
29,41 €
Min price 22 €Max price 93 €
Average price 29,41 €
Only 7 copies for sale on Discogs
541 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Lick My Decals Off, Baby
Master release · LP · 1970
Market position i
21,65 €
Min price 13 €Max price 48 €
Average price 21,65 €
Only 38 copies for sale on Discogs
805 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)

Notable pressings & editions

AlbumEdition Country · Year Matrix Market tension Value
Dust SuckerLP, Album, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue
Ozit Records UK · 2008 OZITLP 8006 🔥 Standard edition
64 want · 395 have · ratio 0,2
19,00 €
Dust SuckerLP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered
Ozit-Morpheus Records UK · 2007 LP8006 Original pressing
64 want · 395 have · ratio 0,2
24,36 €
Bluejeans & MoonbeamsLP, Album
Mercury US · 1974 SRM 1-1018, SRM-1-1018 🔥 Standard edition
517 want · 1 542 have · ratio 0,3
2,18 €
Bluejeans & MoonbeamsLP, Album, Promo, Stereo
Mercury US · 1974 SRM 1-1018, SRM-1-1018 Original pressing
517 want · 1 542 have · ratio 0,3
24,36 €
Clear SpotLP, Album
Reprise Records Australia · 1972 MS 2115 🔥 Standard edition
731 want · 1 776 have · ratio 0,4
59,70 €
Clear SpotLP, Album
Reprise Records Canada · 1972 MS 2115 Original pressing
731 want · 1 776 have · ratio 0,4
32,19 €
The Spotlight KidLP, Album
Reprise Records Canada · 1972 MS 2050, 2050 🔥 Standard edition
485 want · 2 369 have · ratio 0,2
16,54 €
The Spotlight KidLP, Album
Reprise Records US · 1972 MS 2050 Original pressing
485 want · 2 369 have · ratio 0,2
18,46 €

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Captain Beefheart

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

Captain Beefheart’s music blends avant-garde innovation with deep blues roots.
— Analysis of stylistic elements
01Album

Dust Sucker's 2007 Original Release

Originally released in the UK by Ozit-Morpheus Records in 2007 as a limited edition numbered LP, "Dust Sucker" compiles rare and unreleased tracks across 19 songs, sought after by collectors.

2007UK
02Pressing

1974 Mercury Promo Pressings of Bluejeans & Moonbeams

The album "Bluejeans & Moonbeams" was issued in the US on Mercury in 1974, with promo stereo pressings bearing cat no. SRM 1-1018, varying in availability and price between €2 and €29.

1974US
03Album

"The Spotlight Kid" In Stereo

"The Spotlight Kid" was released in stereo in 1972 on Reprise Records, comprising 10 tracks blending blues rock and avant-garde styles, frequented in US and Canadian pressings.

1972US / Canada
04Pressing

"Clear Spot" Various Pressings in 1972

"Clear Spot" appeared in 1972 widely on Reprise Records, with notable Canadian and Australian pressings exhibiting a price range up to €60 and 12 tracks including "Her Eyes Are My Only House Unless It Rains."

1972Canada / Australia

Records by Captain Beefheart

See all

FAQ

FAQ: Captain Beefheart on physical formats

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

What are Captain Beefheart's main musical genres?

His music spans blues, psychedelic rock, experimental rock, and avant-garde, blending traditional and experimental styles.

Which Captain Beefheart albums are must-haves on vinyl?

Essential vinyl albums include "Dust Sucker," "Bluejeans & Moonbeams," and "The Spotlight Kid," notable for their diverse styles and multiple pressings.

Are there audiophile vinyl editions of Captain Beefheart's work?

Yes, releases like "Clear Spot" and "Safe As Milk" have audiophile 180g vinyl editions favored by collectors.

Where was Captain Beefheart from?

He was from Glendale, California, United States, active mainly from the mid-1960s to early 1980s.

Can I find rare Captain Beefheart pressings in France?

Some pressings do circulate among European collectors; however, many original pressings were mainly released in the US and UK.

What is the price range for Captain Beefheart vinyl today?

Prices vary widely; vintage originals can be affordable, while limited editions and audiophile pressings range from about €20 to over €60.

How many tracks are on the album 'Dust Sucker'?

"Dust Sucker" contains 19 tracks, combining studio cuts and rare material across its LP format.

What makes 'The Spotlight Kid' notable on vinyl?

Its stereo mix, comprehensive 10-track listing, and availability in US and Canadian pressings make it a sought-after vinyl for fans.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 04/07/2026