Pink Floyd's the Piper at the Gates of Dawn

It's clear that the author knows his stuff. This is a story about the earliest years of Pink Floyd and the world they lived in. Very well researched and written. If you're a fan of PF, this book is for you!

A great little book this, and very readable if you are interested in Syd Barrett and the early Pink Floyd. Author John Cavanagh was well known for his loving promotion of all sorts of good music on Radio Scotland. He brings the same passion and care to this little tome about 'Piper', and the people and influences surrounding the Floyd's debut album in 1967. Although Syd Barrett looms large, you also discover the significant roles of Waters, Wright and Mason. This is not the tragic 'Syd' story, but the optimistic prequel at a time when everything still seemed possible.Cavanagh casts multicoloured light on the 'underground' experimentation of a band that was often charmingly naive. Speaking to many who were around at the time, he builds a picture of the first great Pink Floyd lineup. The story is told in a straightforward way, with many many quotes. (Thankfully, without recourse to the pretentious literary allusions which have spoiled other books in this series. viz 'Forever Changes'.)A good place to start finding out about the Floyd, and a great companion to the re-issuued, re-mastered 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn' CD.

A very good and easy read. If you're a Floyd junkie there's probably not much info here you haven't read before, so I'd recommend it for more casual fans.

Great read - have played this album a lot over the years - but this book made me go back to it anew . All you can ask really - and the mono mix on headphones is the way to go

Great introduction to this album that I really didn't understand the first few listens.