Brain Damage Magazine - The History (part 1)

Pink Floyd and Roger Waters magazines never were the same after the first issue of Brain Damage hit the streets. Started by Glenn Povey in the mid eighties, with immense enthusiasm but a minute budget, there were occasions when it looked like the magazine would cease due to lack of funds or lack of information...

However, with the help of his friends and the public, Glenn managed to keep it going, where it built and built, spawning star-studded Pink Floyd conventions and plenty of glossy colour, until it all became too much for him to keep up with. The pressures of his day-job meant that it either finished, or was handed over - and this is what happened, when Jeff Jensen took control of it, with the whole operation moving from the UK to the US.

Here, publication continued for some years until the dark day when the BD presses stopped rolling... The next concrete thing heard from the Brain Damage camp was that Matt Johns, who became involved with the magazine in the early days when Glenn was in command, brought Brain Damage back to the masses - ONLINE!

For all of you who want to see how the magazine progressed, here are cover shots and the highlights of each issue...
 
Brain Damage, International Pink Floyd Magazine, Issue 1

Issue 1: April 1986

A5 photocopy, 12 pages

Concentrating on Roger's 84 solo shows, it includes a transcription of Roger's May 84 Swedish Radio Interview, and a Rotterdam 84 concert review.
Brain Damage, International Pink Floyd Magazine, Issue 2

Issue 2: May 1986

A5 photocopy, 24 pages

Twice the size of the previous months issue, with an "experimental" cover, this issue concentrates on Dark Side Of The Moon, with plenty of pictures and articles. Other early seventies stuff is also included.
Brain Damage, International Pink Floyd Magazine, Issue 3

Issue 3: June 1986

A5 photocopy, 20 pages plus A4 insert of original Wall concerts ticket application poster

A large feature on material available on video, together with a variety of rare articles and pictures concerning the Roland Petit ballet (including a piece from girl's comic "Jackie"!)
Brain Damage, International Pink Floyd Magazine, Issue 4

Issue 4: July 1986

A5 photocopy, 20 pages plus A4 insert of San Diego 1971 concert ad

The news aspect of the magazine starts to build; there is a sizeable UK discography, and a large review of vinyl ROIOs available at the time. There is also a hand-drawn Pink Floyd family tree, and some amusing look-alike pictures (comparing Nick Mason with Shakin' Stevens, and saxophonist Dick Parry with Keith Chegwin!)
Brain Damage, International Pink Floyd Magazine, Issue 5

Issue 5: August 1986

A5 photocopy, 36 pages

The largest issue to date, covering the intensely busy year of 1967. There's an extensive gig guide, lots of concert ads, and a transcription of the Sounds Of the Sixties radio documentary. There's also a little seen picture of the band signing their EMI contract.










 
Brain Damage, International Pink Floyd Magazine, Issue 6

Issue 6: September 1986

A5 photocopy, 32 pages

Concentrates on The Wall, and the animation, with a huge interview with Peter Hearn and Tony Fish, the animation editors on the film. There's also an article on Nick's cars, and amongst other things, the lyrics to "Seabirds".









 

Brain Damage, International Pink Floyd Magazine, Issue 7

Issue 7: Late 1986

A5 photocopy, 24 pages

The last of the photocopied issues (thank goodness), this issue has a large amount of news (becoming the forte of Brain Damage). Plenty of hot-off-the-press details of When The Wind Blows, there's also some nice reprints of tickets and posters from late sixties and early seventies shows.
Brain Damage, International Pink Floyd Magazine, Issue 8

Issue 8: Christmas 1986

A5 properly printed (as are all future issues), 40 pages

Again, lots of news, including the very early talk of the new PF album (eventually called A Momentary Lapse Of Reason) being released on February 2nd, 1987. The magazine has plenty of news on the acrimonious split of the band. Also, plenty on When The Wind Blows, and an Italian Discography.
Brain Damage, International Pink Floyd Magazine, Issue 9

Issue 9: Early 1987

A5, 32 pages

More stuff on When The Wind Blows, a reprint of David's and Roger's press releases, an article on The Body and also Gerald Scarfe.
Brain Damage, International Pink Floyd Magazine, Issue 10

Issue 10: Early 1987

A5, 32 pages

Much more news on the split, and subsequent releases from both camps. Also, a large article on Pink Floyd concert posters - this time concentrating on early US concerts. There are also some interviews transcribed.