[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Mid July 1967- The Scene: Pink Floyd Band meeting.
A discussion is held to try and find a way to help out ailing songwriter Syd Barrett. The pressure to write another hit, coupled with drugs, fame, and touring have all caught up with him. The situation is bad.
The album 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn' is in the can - all that's left to be done is mixing and mastering.
The Pink Floyd have already appeared on Top of the Pops, but Barrett is reluctant to appear again ("Why should I have to? I've already done it once..")
Something has to give.
Out of the meeting comes a three point plan:
1) Get Syd out to rehap/medical care/counselling. He cannot return until he has a clean bill-of-health.
2) Hire David Gilmour to help fulfill touring & appearance commitments.
3) Concentrate on songwriting rather than hit-making. This is never communicated directly to EMI, but the band is keen not to release any more singles - and as long as EMI aren't asking for any, it's less pressure for all concerned.
EMI baulk at this - Syd is the goose thay lays the golden eggs!
But band management assure them that the band will still tour and new songs will still be written. It will just take time.
As summer turns to autumn, Pink Floyd record some tunes written by Roger Waters & Rick Wright (Set The Controls, Remember a Day, Paintbox) and a long track entitled "Reaction in G"- Their reply to all the fans that keep calling for "See Emily Play" in concerts.
In late october, Pink Floyd arrive in the USA for concerts on the west and east coast. Recovering in a private clinic, Syd is heartened to hear of the warm reception to his music overseas. The debut album's sales climb, as California and New York discover Pink Floyd.
By mid-november, Syd calls management for his guitar.
As his bandmates arrive back in England, they are struck by a demand by EMI - the label is keen to release a single for the Christmas market Management and band are less than enthused - especially after seeing the butchery of their debut album by Capitol in the USA.. however they relent and offer Set The Controls/Reaction in G as a single.
The single bombs - maybe it's the severely edited nature of the tracks, or maybe it was just too way out-there? Regardless, this daring move continues to improve their reputation in the underground.
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Any suggestions, comments? Anyone keen to see this continue?
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