Preview: Have You Got It Yet?
A new documentary explores the mystery of what happened to the founder and leader of one of rock music/s most legendary bands. A special September 11 one-night screening as part of the Music Movie Mondays series at Grail Moviehouse will be hosted by Asheville speaker, author, music journalist and Pink Floyd authority Bill Kopp (that’s me!).
When Pink Floyd released their debut single, 1967’s “Arnold Layne,” it marked the beginning of a momentous chapter in music. The song showcased not only the psychedelic quality of the four-man group from Cambridge and London, but the songwriting prowess and unique vision of the band’s leader, Syd Barrett.
Guitarist and front man Roger Keith “Syd” Barrett was a promising artist, creating unique songs that both captured the zeitgeist of the burgeoning psychedelic movement and captured a particular kind of English whimsy, informed as much by poetry and fantasy as by LSD. The band’s first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn featured a bounty of songs that displayed Barrett’s unique and inimitable musical vision.
But little more than nine months after that album’s release, Barrett was gone from the group he had founded. Save for two erratic and deeply idiosyncratic solo albums and a handful of unfinished recordings, that would be the last the world would hear from the uniquely creative songwriter and musician. Completely leaving music behind, he went on to live a quiet life in Cambridge, finally passing away in 2006, nearly 40 years after leaving (or being dismissed from) Pink Floyd.
What happened? Did Syd suffer a mental breakdown? Did he succumb to the effects of too many LSD trips? Did he simply want to step out of the machinery of the music business? Or is the real story some combination of all of those things and more? Until now, Syd’s life has been the subject of speculation and conjecture. But with the cooperation of Barrett’s family and former band mates, director Roddy Bogawa explores the fascinating mystery that is the life and music of Syd Barrett.
Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd is a new authorized documentary that digs deep into the mystery that is Syd Barrett. As part of the Music Movie Mondays series, Grail Moviehouse in Asheville hosts a special one-night-only showing of the film. Presented by Asheville-based speaker, author and music journalist Bill Kopp (author of Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon) the evening will include a screening of the film followed by an interactive discussion.
WHAT: Music Movie Mondays Series: Have You Got It Yet?
Special screening + moderated discussion hosted by Bill Kopp
WHERE: Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy Street, Asheville
WHEN: Monday, Sep. 11 @ 7 p.m. / Tickets are $15 and likely to sell out!
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.