Syd in 1970 by Barrie Wentzell

There are six or eight movies with Pink Floyd interviews that depict Syd Barrett as this creative genius gone astry with the medicine chest, but only one movie (“A Technicolor Dream”) gives deep context of significance around Syd’s contemporary artists at that given point in time (1965-6)in the Notting Hill section of London. A very specific sliver on rock and modern culture.

“A Technicolor Dream” was released in 2008 by Stephen Gammond, a wonderful music-centered film maker.  You can watch it on Netflix under Documentaries/ Rockumentaries for those who need a breadcrumb trail.

For someone from America, I never gave much thought as to what was going on in London, while the Summer of Love brewed in SF and NY. The UFO Club gatherings and rallying of neighborhoods (hence the return of Notting Hill Carnival and creation of an arts school) are new stories for me and great perspective for crazy Pink Floyd fans.

The Floyd emerged from the center of this broader artist movement in London.  Their 13 minute jams (without the need for wailing lead guitar) in between basic blues riffs fueled these culture changing events. The quiet between the notes said as much as a blazing Am  scale solo.


Their appearance at The 14 Hour Techicolor Dream as the sun rose through the stained glass at Alexandra Palace fueled one of the most bazaar nights in London’s rock n’roll history.

Watch the movie.


Flap your wings.