The band was plagued from its inception with significant problems, includinglawsuits involving Evans, Reinhardt and Dorman with their former bands, and a dispute over musical style with their record label,Capricorn Records. Although the band performed well together, relationships among the various band members were strained. In particular, singer Rod Evans left and rejoined the band several times beginning in 1971,[5] and made his departure permanent in late 1973, after the release of the band's second album.[6]
Following that album, Caldwell left the band to joinDerringer and was replaced byBrian Glascock. Also joining the band around that time were keyboardistReese Wynans and conguero Guille Garcia. The record company's chosen producer,Giorgio Gomelsky, did not like Glascock's drumming and requested a new drummer. Glascock was released and Marty Rodriguez was brought in on drums on the recommendation of Garcia. This six-man lineup recorded the group's second album,Sufficiently Breathless, with producer and Capricorn Records co-founderPhil Walden.[3] Tension during the recording led to Evans quitting, and the band splitting consequently. The original lineup with Caldwell reformed later in 1973 for gigs in the US and Canada. However, Evans left the band permanently around Christmas of 1973 and the band broke up.[6]
The band reformed in 1976 with Caldwell, Dorman, and Rhino, being joined first by Jason Cahoon and later with Willy Daffern as vocalist. They recorded the band's third albumDawn Explosion onWarner Bros., but broke up in 1978.[3]
Caldwell and Rhino reformed Captain Beyond in 1998, with Jimi Interval on vocals, Dan Frye on keyboards, and Jeff Artabasy on bass.[4] In 1999, Swedish record label Record Heaven released a tribute to Captain Beyond entitledThousand Days of Yesterday. The album features fellow 1970s rockersPentagram playing "Dancing Madly Backwards". In 2000 they released a four track EP entitledNight Train Calling. Shortly thereafter they were joined briefly by guitarist Steve Petrey.
Captain Beyond once again disbanded in 2003 when lead guitarist Larry Reinhardt developed cancer. Following treatment, Reinhardt continued to perform music until late 2011, when he again fell ill. He died on January 2, 2012.[7] Bassist Lee Dorman died on December 21, 2012.[8] Rod Evans has retired from performing, partly due to legal troubles with his originalDeep Purple bandmates, and his current residence is still unknown. However, Caldwell mentioned in a 2015 interview that Evans was doing just fine and was working in the field of respiratory therapy.[9]
Caldwell resurrected the band in 2013, with a lineup consisting of Don Bonzi, Jeff "Boday" Christensen, and Jamie Holka, bassist Allen Carmen, and guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Simon Lind. In 2015 Carmen and Christensen departed the band and Artabasy returned as bassist.[10][11] The reformed group began touring in 2015.[12]
In 1985 US Hi-NRG outfit The Flirts released a single entitled "Dancing Madly Backwards" (Germany #46, US Dance #47).[19] Although musically and lyrically totally different, its chorus is lifted directly from "Dancing Madly Backwards (On a Sea of Air)" off Captain Beyonds first album.[20]
