Throwback: That Time Pink Floyd ‘s Syd Barrett Ate Talking Cornflakes
When it comes to famous bands, some stories are kept out of the public. So you won’t hear about this Pink Floyd story in places like Wikipedia. This shocking tale…
When it comes to famous bands, some stories are kept out of the public.
So you won't hear about this Pink Floyd story in places like Wikipedia. This shocking tale comes from loudersound.com, and allegedly from the mouth of shock rock god, Alice Cooper himself.
First, some context:
In 1968, a fairly new Pink Floyd was in California for a gig. For the past three years, the band had been building a following with Syd Barrett on lead guitar and lead vocals, and Roger Waters on bass and secondary vocals. The band had just signed with EMI Records and were a few months into their tour of the U.S.
If you were around at this time, you might remember this tour, or at least saw Barrett with Pink Floyd on shows like Dick Clark and Pat Boone. Barrett was the guy who seemed totally disengaged during the interviews, sometimes just staring off into space when he was supposed to be talking. It wouldn't be long before Barrett would leave Pink Floyd altogether.
But we're not there yet! First, the night in question.
During the tour, Pink Floyd was booked to perform at the same venue in Los Angeles as the Alice Cooper Band (before Cooper went solo). Since Cooper's whole band lived in a house in Venice Beach, Pink Floyd decided to crash at their pad.
At this time, the Alice Cooper Band wasn't doing so well. California just wasn't that shocked by Cooper's brand of shock rock. Seems with the Hollywood way of life, there wasn't much that would raise an eyebrow in those days. The band didn't start gaining momentum until they relocated to Michigan in 1970.
While Pink Floyd was staying at their house, the Alice Cooper Band had an audition to play at a club in Hollywood. So they invited their guests to come along. And here's where the story gets good... - Wendy
So the Alice Cooper Band was getting ready to do their audition and asked Pink Floyd to come along.
Stephen Lovekin / StaffNEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: (L-R) Michael Bruce, Alice Cooper, Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith of Alice Cooper Band pose in the press room at the 26th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at The Waldorf=Astoria on March 14, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
The guys in Pink Floyd said yes but offered them some brownies on the way out the door.
Keystone Features / Stringer via Getty ImagesMembers of the psychedelic pop group Pink Floyd. From left to right, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Syd Barrett and Rick Wright. (Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images)
Of course, they were pot brownies. And both bands got higher than a kite in a wind storm.
Moussa81 via Getty ImagesEdible marijuana for chronic pain treatment, alternative medicine diet and legal weed concept theme with close up on cannabis buds and delicious brownies
Alice Cooper fell off the stage a few times during the audition.
Evening Standard / Stringer via Getty Images17th September 1975: Shock-rock singer Alice Cooper in performance at Wembley Arena. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Dennis Dunaway was so high he almost fell into the drum kit!
Rick Diamond / Staff via Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TN - MAY 15: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Singer/Songwriter Alice Cooper performs with original band members Michael Bruce, Neal Smith and Dennis Dunaway during Music Biz 2017 - Industry Jam 2 at the Renaissance Hotel on May 15, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
The guys in Pink Floyd were also so stoned that they were cracking up at Alice Cooper's nightmare of an audition.
Max Schneider / Stringer via Getty ImagesAmerican rock singer Alice Cooper performing on stage with a boa constrictor snake, 6th December 1971. (Photo by Max Schneider/Keystone/Getty Images)
But all the shenanigans worked because they got hired. Apparently their show is even better when they're acting crazy.
Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TN - MAY 15: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Alice Cooper (4th. from left) with original band members Neal Smith Michael Bruce and Dennis Dunaway during Music Biz 2017 - Industry Jam 2 at the Renaissance Hotel on May 15, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
There were other puzzling things that happened during Pink Floyd's stay in Venice Beach.
Evening Standard / Stringer via Getty Images5th December 1978: Glam-rock singer Alice Cooper, off-stage, conservatively dressed in denim and without make-up. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
According To Loudwire, Cooper saw Barrett laughing at his cornflakes one morning. Apparently he thought they were putting on a little show for him.
BartekSzewczyk via Getty ImagesYoung man eat yogurt
Another night at a gig, Barrett got shocked by his guitar and stood like a statue on stage for an hour while the rest of the band kept playing.
Jiewsurreal via Getty ImagesArt design skull cowgirl playing guitar day of the dead festival hand pencil drawing on paper.
Never a dull moment when rock stars are around.
Bradley Kanaris / Stringer via Getty ImagesBRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 22: Singer Alice Cooper performs on stage in concert for the first night of his Australian "Theatre Of Death" Tour at the Brisbane Convention Centre on August 22, 2009 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
