Back in October 2004
we reported on the then-forthcoming US and Canadian Region 1 release of
the "Pink Floyd & Syd Barrett Story" DVD. The DVD featured
wonderful all-new cover art, shown to the right.
The cover was designed by acclaimed British artist Mark Wilkinson (who
produced covers for the likes of Marillion, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest
and many others), and he has got back in contact with us.
He is having an online auction during the month of October, selling some original paintings including the Syd painting.
It officially starts 1st October and there will be four paintings in total offered for sale: the portrait of Syd, two paintings with Marillion connections, and a painting for a band called RAK who no one will have heard of but the painting has always attracted a lot of interest. You can visit the auction page at www.the-masque.com.
The DVD contains John Edginton's great documentary, originally aired on BBC television back in 2001. In response to the story that Syd saw it at the time, Mark confirmed back in our 2004 news story that the "apocryphal story about him just saying it was 'too loud' is not entirely accurate... Syd in fact enjoyed the programme and it put him in a good mood for a few weeks after seeing it apparently".
Mark then explained his thinking behind the cover: "John feels that the cover is celebratory which was the brief I set myself. The last thing I wanted was to be contentious, and upset Syd or his family... that 'Madcap' period has been seen so often now in relation to him and I felt perhaps it was time to portray Syd from an earlier time, reigning back a little glory rather than pushing that vacant look onto the public every time there's a mention of him.
"It was that glory, after all, which was the most important part of his story, in my opinion, not the fall from grace... this stunning looking guy who was an innovator as well as a musician and songwriter that galvanised the Floyd to success after he joined. It was great to be given an opportunity to pay homage to this man who really was a hero of mine, and to that band who jump-started my passion about music and art over 35 years ago."
Our thanks to Mark for getting back in touch.