'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn'

Worldwide, Pink Floyd's initial foray into recorded music would not chart until 2007 when the album was reissued. Initially, it peaked at No. 6 on the British charts despite it generally being really out there, especially in 1967 when the Beatles and other mainstream rock bands were peaking creatively.

Pink Floyd were advanced $5,000 once signing to EMI and their first single was "Arnold Layne," a song about a kleptomaniac transvestite.

Soon, Syd Barrett would suffer his rapid descent into madness. Before one show, he was found in his dressing room "gone," and he was propped on stage where he stood, with his guitar strapped around his shoulders. Standing there.

What's odd about Pink Floyd is that they were actual contemporaries of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. They formed in 1962 and began touring in 1965. That $5,000 was all they'd get for five years in addition to having to pay for their studio time and getting no royalties.

Pink Floyd would get theirs eventually, and they'd make much better rock albums. Just not with Syd Barrett or with Piper at the Gates of Dawn.