Formed in 1965 in Cambridge & London, England, Pink Floyd needs no introduction to progressive and psychedelic music fans. The band was active: from 1965 through 1983 & 1987 to present though the David Gilmour-led band hasn't toured in many a year.
The origins of Pink Floyd began at a Cambridge High School in England in the early sixties. Though Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, and David Gilmour talked about forming a band, upon graduation, Gilmour chose to go on to art school in London.Waters meanwhile attended a architecture school where he met Nick Mason and Rick Wright. They formed a R&B band called Sigma 6. The lineup included, Waters (gtr), Mason (drums) and Wright (keys), joined by bassist Clive Metcalfe and vocalist Juliette Gale (who later married Wright). Shortly after the departure of Gale and Metcalfe; Waters, Mason and Wright joined up with Barrett and renamed the band Pink Floyd - in honor of blues' musicians Pinkney 'Pink' Anderson and Floyd Council.
Barrett, who quickly became the band's leader, singer and songwriter, helped paved their way as a psychedelic band. They recorded their first two song in early '66, one, Barrett's "Lucy Leave" a combo R&B & pop song that opened a few eyes of the public. They began to play the London underground with experimental light shows. In early 1967 they signed with EMI Records and released their first single "Arnold Layne." The song reached UK's Top 20. Their next single "See Emily Play" hit # 6 in June of '67. Later in '67 their debut album `The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn; was released. The album became a top ten hit and received critical acclaim paralleling the Beatles Sgt. Pepper's. It contained mostly Barrett penned songs that were far out experimental pop fantasies with lengthy riff-laden instrumental passages. Supporting the album, the group toured with Jimi Hendrix.
But on the US leg of the tour Barrett started to show signs of of the effects of his use of drugs, especially LSD. At some gigs he would stand on stage and not play at all, while sometimes being totally incoherent during an interview. In late '67 Floyd released a third single "Apples And Oranges" but two other recordings made at the time, "Vegetable Man" and "Scream Thy Last Scream." But the Barrett problems got worse... Seeing no solution, Waters hired lead guitarist David Gilmour as a fifth member in February, 1968. Barrett would stay, but Gilmour would play the live bits. But this quick fix didn't last. With Barrett's mental instability growing worse, he left the band two months later. He did go on to record two marginal successful solo albums with the help of David Gilmour, shortly after his departure from the band, but the brilliance that was Syd Barrett never fully shined again. Barrett, lived the rest of his days locked up then disappeared into oblivion, his mental problems destroyed his life until he passed away In July, 2006 at the age of 60.
`Saucerful Of Secrets' showcased one leftover Barrett song, "Jugband Blues", but Roger Waters took over most of the writing and lead vocals and Gilmour contributed vocals as well as blues-influenced guitar. The band drew 100,000 fans for a free concert they did in London in '69.
1970 & 1971, showcased two significant albums- `Atom Heart Mother' and the successful `Meddle,' were well-received; but both paled in comparrison to their 1973 masterpiece- `Dark Side Of The Moon.' The album sold over 25 million copies and stayed on the Billboard charts for more than a decade. It was 741 weeks on the Top 200 list . This was the album that made them superstars in the US and the rest of the rock world.
1975's `Wish You Were Here' was another successful masterpiece, The album, a concept-like homage to their lost founder, Syd Barrett, in particular- the song "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." During the album's recording at Abbey Road studio, Barrett showed up to pay a visit. It was the first time anyone in the band had seen him since 1969.
Their follow-up (and my favorite PF album) was Animals- released in 1977. Though a hit, it sold less copies than WYWH. Rumors had it that the band was having their squabbles and a breakup was possible. Regardless, the band toured worldwide with a huge psychedelic light show including a monstrous flying rubber pig.
In 1979 the Floyd released a double concept album- `The Wall;' it would go on to be their second biggest selling album. The tune "Another Brick In The Wall" would turn out to be their only number 1 single. The album also provided the framework for Alan Parker's `The Wall, with Bob Geldorf playing the lead role as Pink.
Though the band was reaping the rave reviews and financial gains of success, the Floyd were having continued problems from within. Waters and Wright hadn't got along well for years and Waters insisted on the band's firing of Wright which finally took place in 1980. Gilmore meanwhile was upset with Waters for the lack of credit he was given on The Wall. Mason sided with Gilmour. 1983's `The Final Cut,' was more of a Roger Waters solo project than a full PF release. The album was a disappointment and the band officially split up.
After solo releases, Gilmour and Mason decided to reform the band. Waters sued, claiming without him there could be no Pink Floyd and lost the case, and with Wright, the band without Roger Waters reformed.
That year they released `A Momentary Lapse Of Reason,' and though it sounded more like classic Floyd than `The Final Cut,' it was pale compared to the 70's great LPs. A successful worldwide tour and the next year the live album `Delicate Sound Of Thunder' showcased a slick Pink Floyd loaded with session and touring members was well as the familiar three. 1994's `The Division Bell' was their last studio release and `1995's double live album- `Pulse,' was their last live recording released.
Meanwhile, Roger Waters has worked on the occasional solo album (The best- The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking) and has been touring ever-so often. many feel that he is the real voice of pink Floyd, though he can not use the name. His `In the Flesh' DVD concert is a highlight of musicality and sound. He has recently released an opera about the French Revolution, titled `ça Ira.' The album is based on Etienne Roda-Gil’s original French libretto.
The two-disc album, entered the Billboard classical chart at Number 1.
In July 2005, Waters joined Wright, Mason and Gilmour for a one-time performance at Live Aid. Band members put aside their 20 years of feuding long enough to deliver one of the best of all of the Live 8 performances this summer and performed- "Money," "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb," Roger Waters told The Canadian Press that it's unlikely there are going to be any new albums or reunion tours.
In 2006 both Gilmour and Waters toured worldwide. The same year, Gilmour was interviewed for an article printed in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that declared that Pink Floyd had dissolved. When asked about their future, Gilmour explained that the band was finished making music, and that at the age of 60 he preferred to work on his own. Since then, both he and Waters have repeatedly insisted that they have no plans to reunite with the surviving former members. Barrett died in 2006 and Wright in 2008. In 2011, Gilmour and Mason joined Waters at one of his The Wall Tour shows at The O2 Arena in London.
On 2 July 2005, Waters, Gilmour, Mason and Wright performed together as Pink Floyd for the first time in more than 24 years, at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, London. The reunion was arranged by Live 8 organiser Bob Geldof; after Gilmour declined the offer, Geldof asked Mason, who contacted Waters. About two weeks later, Waters called Gilmour, their first conversation in two years, and the next day Gilmour agreed. In a statement to the press, the band stressed the unimportance of their problems in the context of the Live 8 event.
They planned their setlist at the Connaught Hotel in London, followed by three days of rehearsals at Black Island Studios. The sessions were problematic, with disagreements over the style and pace of the songs they were practising; the running order was decided on the eve of the event. At the beginning of their performance of "Wish You Were Here", Waters told the audience: "[It is] quite emotional, standing up here with these three guys after all these years, standing to be counted with the rest of you ... we're doing this for everyone who's not here, and particularly of course for Syd." At the end, Gilmour thanked the audience and started to walk off the stage. Waters called him back, and the band shared a group hug. Images of the hug were a favourite among Sunday newspapers after Live 8. Waters said of their almost twenty years of animosity: "I don't think any of us came out of the years from 1985 with any credit ... It was a bad, negative time, and I regret my part in that negativity."
Though Pink Floyd turned down a contract worth £136 million for a final tour, Waters did not rule out more performances, suggesting it ought to be for a charity event only.However, Gilmour told the Associated Press that a reunion would not happen: "The [Live 8] rehearsals convinced me [that] it wasn't something I wanted to be doing a lot of ... There have been all sorts of farewell moments in people's lives and careers which they have then rescinded, but I think I can fairly categorically say that there won't be a tour or an album again that I take part in. It isn't to do with animosity or anything like that. It's just ... I've been there, I've done it." In February 2006, Gilmour was interviewed by Gino Castaldo from the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, which declared: "Patience for fans in mourning. The news is official. Pink Floyd the brand is dissolved, finished, definitely deceased." Asked about the future of Pink Floyd, Gilmour responded: "It's over ... I've had enough. I'm 60 years old ...it is much more comfortable to work on my own." Gilmour and Waters repeatedly said that they had no plans to reunite with the former members. [nb 50]
Deaths of Barrett and Wright
Barrett died on 7 July 2006, at his home in Cambridge, aged 60. His family interred him at Cambridge Crematorium on 18 July 2006; no Pink Floyd members attended. After Barrett's death, Wright commented: "The band are very naturally upset and sad to hear of Syd Barrett's death. Syd was the guiding light of the early band line-up and leaves a legacy which continues to inspire."[234] Although Barrett had faded into obscurity over the previous 35 years, the national press praised him for his contributions to music.[235][nb 51] On 10 May 2007, Waters, Gilmour, Wright and Mason performed during the Barrett tribute concert "Madcap's Last Laugh" at the Barbican Centre in London. Gilmour, Wright and Mason performed the Barrett compositions, "Bike" and "Arnold Layne", and Waters performed a solo version of his song "Flickering Flame".
Wright died of an undisclosed form of cancer on 15 September 2008, aged 65.[238] His former bandmates paid tributes to his life and work; Gilmour said "In the welter of arguments about who or what was Pink Floyd, Rick's enormous input was frequently forgotten. He was gentle, unassuming and private but his soulful voice and playing were vital, magical components of our most recognised Pink Floyd sound." A week after Wright's death, Gilmour performed "Remember a Day" from A Saucerful of Secrets, written and originally sung by Wright, in tribute to him. Keyboardist Keith Emerson released a statement praising Wright as the "backbone" of Pink Floyd.
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On 10 July 2010, Waters and Gilmour performed together at a charity event for the Hoping Foundation. The event, which raised money for Palestinian children, took place at Kiddington Hall in Oxfordshire, England, with an audience of approximately 200. In return for Waters' appearance at the event, Gilmour performed "Comfortably Numb" at Waters' performance of The Wall [nb 52] at the London O2 Arena on 12 May 2011, singing the choruses and playing the two guitar solos. Mason also joined, playing tambourine for "Outside the Wall" with Gilmour on mandolin.
On 26 September 2011, Pink Floyd and EMI launched an exhaustive re-release campaign under the title Why Pink Floyd...?, reissuing the band's back catalogue in newly remastered versions, including "Experience" and "Immersion" multi-disc multi-format editions. The albums were remastered by James Guthrie, co-producer of The Wall. In November 2015, Pink Floyd released a limited edition EP, 1965: Their First Recordings, comprising six songs recorded prior to The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.
In 2012, Gilmour and Mason decided to revisit recordings made with Wright, mainly during the Division Bell sessions, to create a new Pink Floyd album. They recruited session musicians to help record new parts and "generally harness studio technology". Waters was not involved. Mason described the album as a tribute to Wright: "I think this record is a good way of recognising a lot of what he does and how his playing was at the heart of the Pink Floyd sound. Listening back to the sessions, it really brought home to me what a special player he was."
Samson announced The Endless River in July 2014 on Twitter. Details were announced on Pink Floyd's website on 7 July, describing it as comprising "mainly ambient" and instrumental music. It was released 7 November 2014, the second Pink Floyd album distributed by Parlophone following the release of the 20th anniversary editions of The Division Bell earlier in 2014 Though The Endless River received mixed reviews, it became the most pre-ordered album of all time on Amazon UK, and debuted at number one in several countries. The vinyl edition was the fastest-selling UK vinyl release of 2014 and the fastest-selling since 1997.
Gilmour stated that The Endless River is Pink Floyd's last album, saying: "I think we have successfully commandeered the best of what there is ... It's a shame, but this is the end." There was no tour to support the album, as Gilmour felt it was "kind of impossible" without Wright.In August 2015, Gilmour reiterated that Pink Floyd were "done" and that to reunite without Wright "would just be wrong".
In July 2016, the band announced a forthcoming box set, The Early Years 1965–1972, containing 27 discs comprising CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays of outtakes, live recordings, new mixes and feature films.
PF Updates are courtesy of the Pink Floyd Wiki Page
PINK FLOYD DISCOGRAPHY
Studio albums
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)
A Saucerful of Secrets (1968)
More (1969)
Ummagumma (1969)
Atom Heart Mother (1970)
Meddle (1971)
Obscured by Clouds (1972)
The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Wish You Were Here (1975)
Animals (1977)
The Wall (1979)
The Final Cut (1983)
A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)
The Division Bell (1994)
The Endless River (2014)
Tours
Pink Floyd World Tour (1968)
The Man and The Journey Tour (1969)
Atom Heart Mother World Tour (1970)
Meddle Tour (1971)
Dark Side of the Moon Tour (1972–73)
French Summer Tour (1974)
British Winter Tour (1974)
Wish You Were Here Tour (1975)
In the Flesh Tour (1977)
The Wall Tour (1980–81)
A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour (1987–90)
The Division Bell Tour (1994)
* Hey You
* Is There Anybody Out There?
* Nobody Home
* Vera
* Bring The Boys Back Home
* Comfortably Numb
* The Show Must Go On
* MC:Atomos
* In The Flesh
* Run Like Hell
* Waiting For The Worms
* Stop
* The Trial
* Outside The Wall
Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd (November 2001)
Disk 1
* Astronomy Domine
* See Emily Play
* The Happiest Day of Our Lives
* Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)
* Echoes
* Hey You
* Marooned
* The Great Gig in the Sky
* Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
* Money
* Keep Talking
* Sheep
* Sorrow
Disc 2
* Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-7)
* Time
* The Fletcher Memorial Home
* Comfortably Numb
* When the Tigers Broke Free
* One of These Days
* Us And Them
* Learning to Fly
* Arnold Layne
* Wish You Were Here
* Jug Band Blues
* High Hopes
* Bike
