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.
PINK FLOYD DISCOGRAPHY
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (August 1967)
* Astronomy Domine
* Lucifer Sam
* Matilda Mother
* Flaming
* Pow R. Toc H.
* Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk
* Interstellar Overdrive
* The Gnome
* Chapter 24
* Scarecrow
* Bike
A Saucerful of Secrets (June 1968)
* Let There Be More Light
* Remember a Day
* Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
* Corporal Clegg
* A Saucerful of Secrets
* See Saw
* Jugband Blues
More (July 1969)
* Cirrus Minor
* The Nile Song
* Crying Song
* Up the Khyber
* Green is the Colour
* Cymbaline
* Party Sequence
* Main Theme
* Ibiza Bar
* More Blues
* Quicksilver
* A Spanish Piece
* Dramatic Theme
Ummagumma (October 1969)
Disk 1 (Live)
* Astronomy Domine
* Careful with that Axe, Eugene
* Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
* A Saucerful of Secrets
o Something Else
o Syncopated Pandemonium
o Storm Signal
o Celestial Voices
Disk 2
* Sysyphus (parts 1-4)
* Grantchester Meadows
* Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict
* The Narrow Way (parts 1-3)
* The Grand Vizier's Garden Party
o Part 1: Entrance
o Part 2: Entertainment
o Part 3: Exit
Zabriskie Point (March 1970)
* Heartbeat, Pigmeat
* Crumbling Land
* Come in No. 51, Your Time is Up
Atom Heart Mother (October 1970)
* Atom Heart Mother Suite
o Father's Shout
o Breast Milky
o Mother Fore
o Funky Dung
o Mind Your Throats Please
o Remergence
* If
* Summer '68
* Fat Old Sun
* Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast
o Rise and Shine
o Sunny Side Up
o Morning Glory
Relics (May 1971)
* Arnold Lane
* Interstellar Overdrive
* See Emily Play
* Remember a Day
* Paintbox
* Julia Dream
* Careful with that Axe, Eugene
* Cirrus Minor
* The Nile Song
* Biding my Time
* Bike
Meddle (November 1971)
* One of These Days
* A Pillow of Winds
* Fearless
* San Tropez
* Seamus
* Echoes
Obscured by Clouds (June 1972)
* Obscurred by Clouds
* When You're In
* Burning Bridges
* The Gold It's in the ...
* Wot's ... Uh the Deal
* Mudmen
* Childhood's End
* Free Four
* Stay
* Absolutely Curtains
Dark Side of the Moon (March 1973)
* Speak to Me
* Breathe in the Air
* On the Run
* Time
* The Great Gig in the Sky
* Money
* Us and Them
* Any Coulour You Like
* Brain Damage
* Eclipse
A Nice Pair (December 1973)
(a North American repackaging of Pink Floyd's first 2 albums)
Disk 1: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
Disk 2: A Saucerful of Secrets
Masters of Rock Volume 1 (1974)(released in Europe only)
* Chapter 24
* Mathilda Mother
* Arnold Layne
* Candy and a Currant Bun
* Scarecrow
* Apples and Oranges
* It Would Be So Nice
* Paint Box
* Julia Dream
* See Emily Play
Wish You Were Here (September 1975)
* Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 1-5)
* Welcome to the Machine
* Have a Cigar
* Wish You Were Here
* Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9)
Animals (January 1977)
* Pigs on the Wing (part 1)
* Dogs
* Pigs (Three Different Ones)
* Sheep
* Pigs on the Wing (part 2)
The Wall (November 1979)
Disk 1
* When the Tigers Broke Free
* In the Flesh?
* The Thin Ice
* Another Brick in the Wall (part 1)
* The Happiest Days of Our Lives
* Another Brick in the Wall (part 2)
* Mother
* Goodbye Blue Sky
* Empty Spaces
* What Shall We Do Now
* Young Lust
* One of My Turns
* Don't Leave Me Now
* Another Brick in the Wall (part 3)
* Goodbye Crual World
Disk 2
* Hey You
* Is There Anybody Out There?
* Nobody Home
* Vera
* Bring the Boys Back Home
* Comfortably Numb
* The Show Must Go On
* In the Flesh
* Run Like Hell
* Waiting for the Worms
* Stop
* The Trial
* Outside the Wall
A Collection of Great Dance Songs (November 1981)
* One of These Days
* Money
* Sheep
* Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 1-3,5,7)
* Wish You Were Here
* Another Brick in the Wall (part 2)
Works (1983)(released in U.S. only)
* One of These Days
* Arnold Lane
* Fearless
* Brain Damage/Eclipse
* Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
* See Emily PLay
* Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict
* Free Four
* Embryo
The Final Cut (March 1983)
* The Post War Dream
* Your Possible Pasts
* One of the Few
* The Hero's Return
* The Gunners Dream
* Paranoid Eyes
* Get Your Filthy Hands Off My Desert
* The Fletcher Memorial Home
* Southampton Dock
* The Final Cut
* Not Now John
* Two Suns in the Sunset
A Momentary Lapse of Reason (September 1987)
* Signs of Life
* Learning to Fly
* The Dogs of War
* One Slip
* On the Turning Away
* Yet Another Movie
* Round and Around
* A New Machine (part 1)
* Terminal Frost
* A New Machine (part 2)
* Sorrow
Delicate Sound of Thunder (Live) (November 1988)
(note: each of the CD, cassette, vinyl & video versions omit some tracks listed)
Disk 1
* Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 1-5)
* Signs of Life
* Learning to Fly
* Yet Another Movie
* Round and Around
* Sorrow
* The Dogs of War
* On the Turning Away
Disk 2
* One of These Days
* Time
* On the Run
* The Great Gig in the Sky
* Wish You Were Here
* Us and Them
* Money
* Another Brick in the Wall (part 2)
* Comfortably Numb
* One Slip
* Run Like Hell
Shine On (November 1992)
Disk 1: A Saucerful of Secrets
Disk 2: Meddle
Disk 3: Dark Side of the Moon
Disk 4: Wish You Were Here
Disk 5: Animals
Disk 6/7: The Wall
Disk 8: A Momentary Lapse of Reason
Disk 9
* Arnold Lane
* Candy and a Currant Bun
* See Emily Play
* Scarecrow
* Apples and Oranges
* Paintbox
* It Would Be So Nice
* Julia Dream
* Point Me at the Sky
* Careful with that Axe, Eugene
The Division Bell (March 1994)
* Cluster One
* What do You Want from Me?
* Poles Apart
* Marooned
* A Great Day for Freedom
* Wearing the Inside Out
* Take it Back
* Coming Back to Life
* Keep Talking
* Lost for Words
* High Hopes
Pulse (Live) (1995)
Disk 1
* Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 1-5)
* Astronomy Domine
* What do You Want from Me?
* Learning to Fly
* Keep Talking
* Coming Back to Life
* Hey You
* A Great Day for Freedom
* Sorrow
* High Hopes
* Another Brick in the Wall (part 2)
Disk 2: The Dark Side of the Moon
* Speak to Me
* Breathe
* On the Run
* Time
* The Great Gig in the Sky
* Money
* Us and Them
* Any Colour You Like
* Brain Damage
* Eclipse
* Wish You Were Here
* Comfortably Numb
* Run Like Hell
In London: 1966-67 (Live) (1995)(released in UK only)
* Intersteller Drive
* Nick's Boogie
Is There Anybody Out There? / The Wall Live 1980-81 (April 2000)
Disk 1
* MC:Atomos
* In The Flesh?
* The Thin Ice
* Another Brick In The Wall (Part 1)
* The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
* Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)
* Mother
* Goodbye Blue Sky
* Empty Spaces
* What Shall We Do Now?
* Young Lust
* One Of My Turns
* Don't Leave Me Now
* Another Brick In The Wall (Part 3)
* The Last Few Bricks
* Goodbye Cruel World
Disc 2
* 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
