In the mid-1960s
the often rigid and colourless British way of life was irrevocably transformed
by the emergence of a cultural underground movement. Led by a loose collective
of young radicals, they introduced new social, sexual and aesthetic
perspectives. Operating out of the heart of London, their various activities,
from 'The International Times' - a bi-weekly journal that no hipster could be
seen without - to the psychedelic nightclub UFO, promoted alternative
lifestyles and values, and sparked a social revolution.
This
film not only traces the history of this underground scene, but also explores
its impact on the pre-eminent British group of the era, The Beatles. Although
they were well established by the time the movement emerged, Paul McCartney in
particular, was closely linked with several of its key players, and through his
exposure to cutting edge concepts brought ideas directly from the avant-garde
into the mainstream.
Featuring
many new interviews with key players from the time including; IT editor and long
term friend of Paul McCartney, Barry Miles; founder of IT and UFO club
organiser, John 'Hoppy' Hopkins; founder of UFO and Pink Floyd producer
, Joe Boyd; Soft Machine drummer, Robert Wyatt; drummer from
experimental improvisational collective
AMM, Eddie Prevost;
proprietor of Indica, the counter-cultural gallery, John
Dunbar; Underground scenester, vocalist with The Deviants and IT
journalist, Mick Farren; plus author of 'Days in the Life: Voices from
the English Underground 1961 - 1971', Jonathon Greene; Beatles expert,
Chris Ingham and Mojo jounalist Mark Paytress.
Also
includesrare archive footage, photographs from private collections and music
from The Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Soft Machine, AMM and others.
This looks really Good on many Levels , Looking back on changeling times not only in Music with The Beatles leading things But also in Fashion, design etc , I was in London in 1968 Carnaby street and the whole of London was THE Place to be . John is often Labelled as The Avant Guard Beatle But Paul was involved More so with being the Still unmarried Beatle and more in tune to what was happening in London Town at this time .
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