Preface: Short (one page), a blend of surreality, humour, and insight, vaguely connected to the Floyd, by some contemporary luminary e.g. Pete Towsend, Frank Zappa, Ron Geesin …
Chapter I - ‘’This is True’’
An anecdotal, reflective introduction to the whole Floyd ethos arrived at by the authors, from the experience of writing the book. Should be naturalistic and about people: thus immediately entertaining and interesting. Composed mainly from interview extracts.
Chapter II - ‘’Birth’’
The group’s inception covering te period up to U.F.O gig and the association with Blackhill (LATER REMOVED). To be concerned with backgrounds; schooldays; friendship patterns; individual directions and vocations; places (Cambridge, Rickmansworth, Architectural college, London, Sheperds Bush Tottenham Street, Earlham Street), early music (Architectural Dabs, changing personnel (Bob Close), Tea set - first important gigs (e.g. Essex).
First U.F.O gigs to the success of the singles and the first album. the emergence of the ‘underground’ and ‘head’ culture: the era and the Floyd’s place at its (then) centre; the acid/light show/legalization of pot/Hoppy … syndrome. First contract, important gigs, singles + album, Powis Square, Bryan Morrison, Top of the Pops, British tour … Blackhill
Not boring information nor a sociological study, but, rather direct humorous stuff geared towards individual personalities. An effort to trace the various patterns of energy and lines of force that converged to produce THIS GROUP at THIS TIME
Chapter III - ‘’The Piper at the Gates of dusk’’
‘Flower Power’ and the first drug trips .. the psychedelic era. Syd as its representative: from gnome to demon; flower child to mad dog.
Syd embodying the era’s confusion with its success and ultimate failure (Mysticism/false optimism - Manson/Altamont). The collapse of the dream manifestation and simultaneously in the breakdown of head culture. Syd’s fragmentation and personnel changes in the Floyd. The effect of Syd’s breakdown on the band (its corporate ’spirit’ s well as gig/tour disasters); arrival of Dave Gilmour and the break with Blackhill.
(This chapter will be an amalgam of analysis, anecdote from various sources) and interview).
Chapter IV - ‘’Space Music’’
from the break with Blackhill to ‘Meddle’. Continuance without Syd. European success, acceptance of Floyd by liberal intellectuals (Observer, Financial Times etc …) The albums, film music (Schroeder and Antonioni); tours (japan, U.S.A., Europe). Development of and concentration on ‘sound’, and the development of a sophisticated
light show. Sound in the round, wonder P.A. Musical and financial consolidation.
Chapter V - ‘’The Chaps’’
In depth interviews with individual members of the group. Old and new. Tales of outrageous fun and high decadence (N.B excerpts/ quotes from old interviews will be included elsewhere when appropriates).
Chapter VI - ‘’The structure’’
An examination and evaluation of the power structure: the relationship (as it exists at all levels) between the group and the management vis. structure; the legal and financial structure; and the pragmatics of gigging/touring … The chapter will include radical perspectives on ‘the business’: notions of hype, salesmanship, power (and its delegation) responsibility and the passivity of ‘the fan’, and how individuals in the Floyd network relate to the above, it at all,. Interviews with Steve, Tony, Arthur, Pete, Accountant, Roy F etc …
Chapter VII - ‘’Everything under the Sun’’
The present and the future. The American market cracked with ‘Dark Side of the Moon. How and why now in ’73, with this album ? Plans, projects and new possibilities. Life styles and visions of group members: What does this all mean to them; responses to this success … joy ? … staysfaction … complications . anxieties ? etc ..
Chapter VIII - ‘’Technology’’
Pete Watts, Arthur Max. Quadraphonic sound; the ballet. The equipment. interviews with roadies … The joy and the pains of ‘backroom work’:photos, diagrams and maps. An attempt to demystify the ‘machinery’
Chapter 12 (Short chapter)
Short interviews with parents and friends … the idea being that the opinion and reflections of those not involved in the business (either directly, or indirectly as hard core fans) and yet close to the individuals for a number of years may prove revealing in terms of the whole trip.
Chapter 13 ‘’The œuvre’’
Music - the work - the pieces themselves - a look at how some of the music gets and how some doesn’t - the composing - Syds poetry and melody - group compositions - individual contributions - Roger’s lyrics - Spontanely improvisations and group rehearsal. The recording of albums. The film music. Bad songs and bad gigs - treatment skills & limitations The dynamics of the band
Appendix i Musical reviews. old and new, good and bad, dealing with all the albums
Appendix ii Glossary of terms a) Electrical b) ‘In - group’
Appendix iii index - Name and Places
