Just a quick reminder for our friends in the UK (and those in Europe who can receive BBC television) - the first part of the excellent, seven-part series "The Seven Ages Of Rock" starts tonight (Saturday) at 9:10pm BST (GMT +1 hour) on BBC2. It is repeated on Sunday night at 11pm on BBC1.

The first part concentrates on Jimi Hendrix, and the rock revolution of the 1960s. Taking in the Stones, The Who and Cream en route, it is a fascinating look at blues based rock and sets things up nicely for the enthralling second episode (May 26th) which features some fantastic Pink Floyd footage and new interviews with the members of the band (Richard - that beard suits you!). A full preview of that show coming!

Based on the first three episodes, which we've seen courtesy of our friends at the BBC, this will be a series that music fans will embrace and talk about for many years. Absolutely not to be missed!

An attic in Middenmeer, The Netherlands, has just yielded a cache of rare recordings made between 1967 and 1970 at Beatclub 't Smurf in Bussum (the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reports). Amongst the tapes uncovered are recordings of Pink Floyd at the club. UPDATE: Parts of the very muffled recording can be heard here, and it sounds to us (and many others) like it is just the standard "Piper" album, and certainly NOT a rare, live recording at the club!

There was a very special treat for those present at the second of the two knockout shows Roger Waters and his band played at London's Earls Court - Nick Mason took part!

With his custom painted kit wheeled on stage during the intermission, it didn't take long for the crowd to start to realise what was going to take place...

Without wishing to give anything away (there'll be full details on the show page itself) suffice it to say that Nick shared the stage with Graham Broad (both performing throughout) for the whole of the second half of the show, plus the encore. More pics and full details shortly!

Following our news item late last night, we now bring you more information on the superb, at times quirky, and above all, affectionate tribute show for Roger "Syd" Barrett, Madcap's Last Laugh.

Held at the Barbican Hall in the heart of the city of London, it featured an array of Syd's fans and colleagues, performing a healthy chunk of his back catalogue. Amongst these, were Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright, between them performing three songs in honour of their old bandmate. Profits from the concert were donated to the mental health charity SANE, nominated by the Barrett family (who were represented at the show by Ian, his cousin).