The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story
Encyclopedia
The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story is a documentary released on DVD on 24 March 2003, produced by Otmoor Productions in 2001 as part of the BBC's Omnibus
series and originally called Syd Barrett: Crazy Diamond (in the US, a slightly modified version aired as the last episode of VH1's Legends
series in January 2002). Directed by John Edginton, the film includes interviews with all the Pink Floyd
members - Roger Waters
, David Gilmour
, Nick Mason
and Richard Wright
- plus the "fifth Pink Floyd", Bob Klose
, who left the band in 1965. The film includes rare early television appearances of Pink Floyd, and home movies.
In 2006 a new "definitive edition DVD" was produced in the UK and Europe in which the full unedited interviews conducted by the director with Pink Floyd are now made available, alongside the original documentary.
, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the early Pink Floyd, who created their unique psychedelic sound
and most of the band's early songs, including the singles "Arnold Layne
" and "See Emily Play
" and much of their first album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
.
Syd Barrett's name passed into rock folklore when he was kicked out of Pink Floyd in 1968 and, after two extraordinary but erratic solo albums, disappeared from music altogether amid rumours of a drug-induced breakdown.
The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story has contributions from Humble Pie
drummer Jerry Shirley
(who played on Syd Barrett's two solo albums The Madcap Laughs
and Barrett
as well as Syd's final London concert on 6 June 1970 with David Gilmour
, when Barrett abruptly left the stage after playing only four numbers), bassist Jack Monck
who played at Syd's last ever public concert in 1972 at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, producer Joe Boyd
who produced Arnold Layne
, photographer Mick Rock
who photographed Barrett for The Madcap Laughs
cover, and artist Duggie Fields who shared an apartment in London's Earls Court with Barrett in 1968 and witnessed his changing mental state at close hand.
According to his sister, Barrett watched the documentary when it was broadcast on the BBC
. He apparently found it "too loud", although he did enjoy seeing Mike Leonard, who he referred to as his "teacher". He also enjoyed hearing "See Emily Play
" again.
Omnibus (TV series)
Omnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings....
series and originally called Syd Barrett: Crazy Diamond (in the US, a slightly modified version aired as the last episode of VH1's Legends
VH1's Legends
Legends is a music biography television series on VH1. Originally sponsored by AT&T, this series documents those artists who have made a significant contribution to music history to be profiled on the show .The show goes in-depth...
series in January 2002). Directed by John Edginton, the film includes interviews with all the Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
members - Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
, David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
, Nick Mason
Nick Mason
Nicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965...
and Richard Wright
Richard Wright (musician)
Richard William Wright was an English pianist, keyboardist and songwriter, best known for his career with Pink Floyd. Wright's richly textured keyboard layers were a vital ingredient and a distinctive characteristic of Pink Floyd's sound...
- plus the "fifth Pink Floyd", Bob Klose
Bob Klose
Rado 'Bob' Klose is an English musician and photographer. He was one of the earliest members of the rock band Pink Floyd, playing lead guitar, but left the band before they recorded their first released single, "Arnold Layne".- Abdabs :"The Abdabs" , with Roger Waters , Richard Wright Rado 'Bob'...
, who left the band in 1965. The film includes rare early television appearances of Pink Floyd, and home movies.
In 2006 a new "definitive edition DVD" was produced in the UK and Europe in which the full unedited interviews conducted by the director with Pink Floyd are now made available, alongside the original documentary.
Plot
The focus of the film is Syd BarrettSyd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the early Pink Floyd, who created their unique psychedelic sound
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
and most of the band's early songs, including the singles "Arnold Layne
Arnold Layne
David Gilmour, during his solo tour promoting On an Island, unexpectedly added the song to the setlist near the end of the American tour on the 17 April 2006 show at the Oakland Paramount Theatre...
" and "See Emily Play
See Emily Play
"See Emily Play" was the second single recorded by the English psychedelic rock group Pink Floyd. It was written by original frontman Syd Barrett and recorded on 23 May 1967. The single featured "Scarecrow" as its B-side...
" and much of their first album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is the debut album by the English rock group Pink Floyd, and the only one made under founding member Syd Barrett's leadership. The album contains whimsical lyrics about space, scarecrows, gnomes, bicycles and fairy tales, along with psychedelic instrumental songs...
.
Syd Barrett's name passed into rock folklore when he was kicked out of Pink Floyd in 1968 and, after two extraordinary but erratic solo albums, disappeared from music altogether amid rumours of a drug-induced breakdown.
The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story has contributions from Humble Pie
Humble Pie (band)
Humble Pie was a rock band from England, finding success both in the UK and the US. They are remembered for songs such as "Black Coffee" "30 Days in the Hole", "I Don't Need No Doctor", and "Natural Born Bugie"...
drummer Jerry Shirley
Jerry Shirley
Jerry Shirley is an English rock drummer, best known for his work with the rock band Humble Pie and appeared on all their albums...
(who played on Syd Barrett's two solo albums The Madcap Laughs
The Madcap Laughs
The Madcap Laughs is an album by British singer/songwriter Syd Barrett, released on 3 January 1970. It was his first solo album after being replaced in the band Pink Floyd by his old school friend David Gilmour.- History :...
and Barrett
Barrett
- Court cases :* Barrett v. Rosenthal, a 2006 California Supreme Court case concerning online defamation* Barrett v. United States, a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that South Carolina had never effectively been subdivided into separate judicial districts-Fictional...
as well as Syd's final London concert on 6 June 1970 with David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
, when Barrett abruptly left the stage after playing only four numbers), bassist Jack Monck
Jack Monck
Jack Monck is a bass guitarist. He has worked with Syd Barrett and David Thomas and Phil Miller from In Cahoots and Delivery.He was also in Stars, Delivery, and The Pedestrians...
who played at Syd's last ever public concert in 1972 at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, producer Joe Boyd
Joe Boyd
Joe Boyd is an American record producer and former owner of the Witchseason production company. Boyd was instrumental in launching the careers of Nick Drake, Fairport Convention, and The Incredible String Band.-Career:...
who produced Arnold Layne
Arnold Layne
David Gilmour, during his solo tour promoting On an Island, unexpectedly added the song to the setlist near the end of the American tour on the 17 April 2006 show at the Oakland Paramount Theatre...
, photographer Mick Rock
Mick Rock
Mick Rock is a British photographer best known for his iconic shots of rock and roll legends such as Queen, David Bowie, Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Joan Jett, Talking Heads, Roxy Music, Crossfade, Thin Lizzy, Motley Crue, and Blondie...
who photographed Barrett for The Madcap Laughs
The Madcap Laughs
The Madcap Laughs is an album by British singer/songwriter Syd Barrett, released on 3 January 1970. It was his first solo album after being replaced in the band Pink Floyd by his old school friend David Gilmour.- History :...
cover, and artist Duggie Fields who shared an apartment in London's Earls Court with Barrett in 1968 and witnessed his changing mental state at close hand.
According to his sister, Barrett watched the documentary when it was broadcast on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. He apparently found it "too loud", although he did enjoy seeing Mike Leonard, who he referred to as his "teacher". He also enjoyed hearing "See Emily Play
See Emily Play
"See Emily Play" was the second single recorded by the English psychedelic rock group Pink Floyd. It was written by original frontman Syd Barrett and recorded on 23 May 1967. The single featured "Scarecrow" as its B-side...
" again.