Dancing Madly Backwards (On A Sea Of Air)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with the cosmic sounds of Dancing Madly Backwards (On A Sea Of Air) by Captain Beyond, spinning on THE ZOO! This track, the opener from their 1972 self-titled debut, is a wild ride through heavy prog and space rock. One juicy piece of trivia comes from a 1999 tribute album, Thousand Days of Yesterday, where the band Pentagram covered this song, proving its lasting influence in the rock world. Fans on Reddit have called the album a "masterpiece," with one user sharing a hilarious story about buying the LP and being so obsessed with the first side—kicked off by this track—that they waited six months to flip it, only to be blown away again. Another fan recalled catching Captain Beyond live in 1975 at The Flying Dutchman in South Carolina, describing the performance of this song as "fantastic" while admitting they were distracted by a date during the show!

Interestingly, the song’s title pops up in the lyrics of the album’s third track, Myopic Void, tying the medley together in a trippy, interconnected way. The track’s raw energy and complex structure, blending hard rock with jazz and Latin influences, have been praised on ProgArchives, where reviewers note its "gnarly, scruffy" sound and unpredictable shifts. In a quirkier twist, the 1985 Hi-NRG single Dancing Madly Backwards by The Flirts borrowed the chorus directly from Captain Beyond’s tune, despite being a completely different genre, hitting #46 in Germany and #47 on the US Dance charts. A Facebook post from Progressive Rock Land, with over 317K views, showcases a remastered 1972 live performance from Montreux, highlighting the song’s enduring stage power.

Captain Beyond was born in Los Angeles in 1971, a supergroup forged from the ashes of rock giants. Vocalist Rod Evans, previously with Deep Purple, brought a soulful edge, while drummer Bobby Caldwell, who’d played with Johnny Winter, laid down jaw-dropping rhythms—later earning praise from Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins, who featured the band in a custom mixtape. Guitarist Larry “Rhino” Reinhardt and bassist Lee Dorman, both ex-Iron Butterfly, rounded out the lineup, blending their psychedelic roots with a heavier, progressive sound. The band’s name, as legend has it, was suggested by Yes bassist Chris Squire after seeing Reinhardt step off a tour bus. Signed to Capricorn Records, their debut album, featuring Dancing Madly Backwards, was recorded quickly but faced challenges like lawsuits from former bands and label disputes over musical direction, which added to their cult status.

Despite internal struggles, including Evans’ on-and-off departures, Captain Beyond’s music has resonated with fans for decades. You can dive deeper into their world at their official website or check out their Facebook for updates and throwback posts. Their Instagram offers glimpses of rare photos and merch, while their X account keeps the conversation alive with fans. For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with fellow devotees, the Captain Beyond Fan Group on Facebook is a lively spot to share stories and rare finds. The band’s Bandcamp page also serves as a fan hub, offering high-quality downloads of live performances, including Dancing Madly Backwards from iconic 1972 shows in Miami and New York.