In these times when many of us are stuck at home, either due to lockdown, or self-isolating, we were delighted when Mark Naisbitt, a BD regular, got in touch with an article he'd written about the link between Pink Floyd, and Douglas Adams – specifically his Hitchhiker's Guide project which spanned book, radio, TV, film and commemorative towels (amongst other things). If anyone else out there fancies adding their thoughts about, well, anything Floyd related really, do please get in touch. We'd love to include your contributions to the site!To celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Douglas Adams epic Sci-fi comedy a rare, specially reworked version returns to vinyl which may be of interest to Pink Floyd fans. Author Douglas Adams and the band have a long time association. The original BBC radio series made its debut in 1978 and quickly became a cult hit evolving into books, TV and a couple of vinyl albums which Floyd fans would appreciate. Adams re-wrote the script for the first six episodes and they were recorded for the two albums, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (part one) by Original Records in 1979 and part two, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, following in 1980.So what's of interest to Floyd fans?Well, the original radio show ended with our heroes stealing a spaceship belonging to the admiral of a battle fleet. Adams, friends with Floyd at the time, altered the ending so that they steal a black, completely frictionless ship intended to crash through a star as part of the exotic light-show by the intergalactic rock band Disaster Area who are really Adams referencing Floyd going through the Wall-era protracted bust up at the time. Floyd, of course, previously released Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun, which doubtless gave Adams the idea. The album version was the basis for the subsequent BBC TV series in 1981.The album features the famous cover, 'Don't Panic' ,in large friendly letters, by Hipgnosis, who worked on covers for Floyd ELO among many others. It also contains a line not in the radio version. Upon landing on the barren planet Magrathea, Arthur Dent mentions to Ford Prefect, Ford, do you realise that robot can hum like Pink Floyd? Douglas Adams maintained his association with Floyd and suggested the title The Division Bell to them. He also played guitar with the band on stage during one of the Earls Court Pulse gigs in 1994. It was on his 42nd birthday, a number of significance to Hitchhiker fans! This is documented in Nick Mason's book Inside Out and videos are around on YouTube.Sadly, Adams died suddenly of heart failure in 2001 aged only 49. David Gilmour played at his memorial service in 2001, and also at what would have been Adams's 60th birthday party in 2012. Adams official biography is called Wish You Were Here.As part of this year's Record Store Day (now delayed to June, subject to change depending on how the current situation develops) the original radio series are being re-released on vinyl by the Demon Music Group. Hitchhiker's Guide (the first book) is being coupled with the second book's series, The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe, on three 180g coloured vinyl LPs. After years of being expensive second-hand rarities, Floyd fans who enjoy the Guide can now get their hands on a copy. However, they're being limited to 750 copies…Oh well, grab one while you can! For this ageing Hitchhiker, it's almost worth getting a new vinyl deck to time-travel back to '78 with Arthur, Ford Zaphod for some fun, adventure and pretty wild things for less than 30 Altairian dollars a day…
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New Hipgnosis “Untold stories” book coming from Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell
The lockdown period seems to have been beneficial, not just for reducing the spread of infection, but encouraging writers to pull books together, and we are now starting to see the fruits of these labours, with a number of publications being announced… and here’s another. Arriving in bookshops, both online and along the high street, on October 21st, 2021, is a new, 320-page book from Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell – Through the Prism: Untold rock stories from the Hipgnosis archive (https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0500252378/braindamage-21). Founded in 1968 by Po, Storm Thorgerson and Peter Christopherson, graphic design firm Hipgnosis gained a legendary status by transforming the look of album art through their designs for artists such as AC/DC, 10cc, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Syd Barrett, and Black Sabbath. The publishers promise that in the book, “Powell presents brutally honest, entertaining and revealing insider stories from the world of rock, featuring an eclectic cast of pop stars, comedians, actors, managers, gangsters, and inspirational world figures from 1966 on. His narrative is packed with anecdotes – from the founding of Hipgnosis to surviving drugs busts, and from the creative process behind the most iconic album artworks of all time to mounting the Pink Floyd exhibition, Their Mortal Remains – and is richly illustrated with Hipgnosis artwork and Powell’s own photographs. “Drama and creativity are the common threads throughout these amazing stories. With candor and insightful reflection, Powell reveals how he and Storm became an effective creative partnership despite their volatile relationship; how the final colour artwork for Led Zeppelinâs Houses Of The Holy was created; how the most iconic album cover of all time â The Dark Side Of The Moon â came about; and how the 2017 Pink Floyd retrospective became the largest and most successful music exhibition ever mounted by the Victoria and Albert Museum â despite the deeply antagonistic and dysfunctional relationship between Roger Waters and David Gilmour. Throughout, Powell exposes how the trappings of fame and glory upset the balance of everyday life, bringing creativity and destruction in equal measure. “Packed with exciting insider stories and anecdotes featuring famous musicians, managers, and actors, Through the Prism is a must-have for music and pop-culture fans.” Certainly sounds a cracking read, which we can’t wait to get our hands on. You can order this book through the following links, taking advantage of Amazon’s free pre-order price guarantee – should their asking price drop at any point between you ordering it, and release, they will automatically charge you the lowest price during that period! Ordering through our links also helps with BD’s ongoing running costs, and we really appreciate it: Amazon UK (https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0500252378/braindamage-21), Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0500252378/braindamage-20), Amazon Canada (https://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0500252378/braindamageon-20),
Amazon France (https://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/0500252378/braindamageon-21), Amazon Germany (https://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/0500252378/braindamage0f-21), Amazon Spain (https://www.amazon.es/gp/product/0500252378/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8 tag=braidama01-21 linkCode=as2 camp=3626 creative=24822 creativeASIN=0500252378) and Amazon Italy (https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/0500252378/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8 camp=3370 creative=24114 creativeASIN= 0500252378 linkCode=as2 tag=bradamonl-21).
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Nick Mason “Inside Out” signed copies – updated order form
For the last TWENTY YEARS (!) one of the most popular items that have been promoted through Brain Damage is Nick Mason’s excellent book, Inside Out: A Personal History Of Pink Floyd signed with your choice of dedication, by Nick himself. Even though the offer has been running for such a long time, we’ve had confirmation (with an updated order form to reflect the edition of the book that his office has available) that Nick is still more than happy to take care of this for you! What better present for the Floyd nut in your life, or indeed, for yourself? Below is the current version of the order forms (from August 2024) which is the only one that should be used from now on; if you have any older versions that you were in the process of completing, please disregard them. The nice people at Nick’s office organising it offer recorded/signed delivery, whichever country you live in. Sent from the UK, the cost of the book – the UK’s recent limited edition hardback – is £80, plus shipping. This is priced at £16 (for the UK), £22 (Europe) and £33 (North America and the rest of the world), all of which require a signature on delivery. Now, those who have seen this hardback edition (the one that Nick is signing for you) will know it weighs a ton (figuratively speaking) – so wherever you live, it is an expensive item to send. However, where else can you get Nick to put your chosen message for a loved one (or yourself!) down in writing, and know that it is genuine (unlike some of the items sold daily on eBay with obviously faked signatures on)? Please be aware that at certain times, Nick may be on holiday or involved in various projects – such as his band, Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets, who have just concluded their latest tour – which obviously has quite an effect on the speed that books can be signed and sent – especially as Nick writes each dedication himself. No secretarial signatures or pre-signed books here! To order the book, simply download the following form: Nick Mason signed and dedicated Inside Out book order form and complete your details, emailing the form through to the address given at the bottom. Full delivery and payment details are included on the form. Please order very early to ensure delivery for specific events (such as birthdays, weddings, and other celebrations). Our thanks to Nick and his team for continuing to make this possible.
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Roger Waters releases live Radio KAOS recordings
In an unexpected move, the official Roger Waters Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/6jLetivEwXi3Zfdn0bEobc?si=j6rAeQ8pQBy-63VXMMT3Xw) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmprOhjPvaU) channels have just posted some selections from a live FM radio broadcast of a Radio KAOS show in 1987. Thus far, there’s the Jim Ladd intro and Radio Waves, Money, In The Flesh/Have A Cigar, Pigs/Wish You Were Here, Mother, The Powers That Be, Breathe and Another Brick part 1. Obviously this is just part of the show that was presented mainly in the US and Canada, with a pair of shows at Wembley Arena in London (featuring guest vocalist Clare Torry). One wonders if this is to precede a proper release, or if the missed songs will be along later. The sound quality is very good indeed and it’s fun to hear the show again after all this time – 35 years later! It seems like not THAT long ago…time really does fly.
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