Pink Floyd News and Notes


9-16-2008

Obituary - Richard Wright, 65, Pink Floyd keyboardist

By Jon Pareles - International Herald Tribune

Richard Wright, the keyboardist whose somber, monumental sounds were at the core of the art rock by Pink Floyd that has sold millions and millions of albums, died Monday in London, where he had lived. He was 65.

The cause was cancer, said his publicist, Claire Singers.

Wright was a founding member of Pink Floyd, and his spacious, enveloping keyboards, backing vocals and eerie effects were essential to its musical identity.

Though Syd Barrett and then Roger Waters wrote most of Pink Floyd's songs, Wright shares credit on the improvisatory psychedelic studio works the band composed collectively, and he sang a few lead vocals, including on "Astronomy Domine" from the band's debut album, "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn."

Wright was also sole songwriter on "The Great Gig in the Sky," a hymnlike track with a soaring, wordless female vocal at the center of "The Dark Side of the Moon," the 1973 Pink Floyd album that has sold some 40 million copies.

David Gilmour, Pink Floyd's guitarist and singer, said in a statement Monday: "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 recognized Pink Floyd sound."

Wright was born in London in 1943 and taught himself to play keyboards, developing an early interest in jazz. He attended a school for haberdashers, then studied architecture at the Regent Street Polytechnic College.

With fellow students at Regent Street - Waters on guitar or bass and Nick Mason on drums - he started a group, at first playing American rhythm-and-blues songs. Barrett joined them in 1965, reshaping the music and naming the band The Pink Floyd Sound, after the U.S. bluesmen Pink Anderson and Floyd Council.

Barrett's whimsical, asymmetrical songs and the band's fondness for experimental sounds placed it at the center of London's underground psychedelic movement in the mid-1960s. "Music was our drug," Wright once said.

"The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" was released in 1967 and yielded pop hits in England, but LSD use and mental illness made Barrett so unstable that he left Pink Floyd in 1968.

Pink Floyd continued to thrive through the 1970s, and Wright released his first solo project, "Wet Dream," in 1978. Pink Floyd's 1979 album, "The Wall," eventually sold 23 million copies in the United States alone.

Waters, who had increasingly taken control of Pink Floyd, reportedly threatened not to release "The Wall" unless Wright resigned his full membership in the band. He does not appear on the band's 1983 album, "The Final Cut."

After that album, Waters left Pink Floyd. Amid lawsuits, Gilmour and Mason regrouped under the Pink Floyd name; Wright rejoined them for the 1987 album "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" and "The Division Bell" in 1994.


3-13-07

Top 200 'Definitive' albums

Last week, the National Association of Recording Merchandisers, which represents more than 7,000 music stores in the United States, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame put out the Definitive 200 list. It spans the past 50 years of modern popular music, ranking the top 200 albums.

Rank Artist Album Title Release Date Genre
1    BEATLES SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND 1967 Rock
2    PINK FLOYD DARK SIDE OF THE MOON 1973 Rock
3    MICHAEL JACKSON THRILLER 1982 Pop
4    LED ZEPPELIN LED ZEPPELIN IV 1971 Rock
5    U2 JOSHUA TREE 1987 Rock
6    ROLLING STONES EXILE ON MAIN STREET 1972 Rock
7    CAROLE KING TAPESTRY 1971 Adult Contemporary
8    BOB DYLAN HIGHWAY '61 REVISITED 1965 Rock
9    BEACH BOYS PET SOUNDS 1966 Rock
10    NIRVANA NEVERMIND 1996 Rock
11    PEARL JAM TEN 1991 Rock
12    BEATLES ABBEY ROAD 1969 Rock
13    SANTANA SUPERNATURAL 1999 Rock
14    METALLICA METALLICA 1991 Rock
15    BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN BORN TO RUN 1984 Rock
16    PRINCE PURPLE RAIN 1984 Pop
17    AC/DC BACK IN BLACK 1980 Rock
18    ROLLING STONES LET IT BLEED 1969 Rock
19    DOORS DOORS 1967 Rock
20    GRATEFUL DEAD AMERICAN BEAUTY 1970 Rock
21    SHANIA TWAIN COME ON OVER 1997 Country
22    WHO WHO'S NEXT 1971 Rock
23    STEVIE WONDER SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE 1976 R&B
24    FLEETWOOD MAC RUMOURS 1977 Pop
25    PINK FLOYD WALL 1979 Rock
26   
ALANIS MORISSETTE
JAGGED LITTLE PILL
1995
Pop
27    NORAH JONES COME AWAY WITH ME 2002 Pop
28    EMINEM MARSHALL MATHERS LP 2000 Rap
29    OUTKAST SPEAKERBOXX-LOVE BELOW 2003 R&B
30    DR. DRE CHRONIC 1992 Rap
31    BEASTIE BOYS LICENSED TO ILL 1986 Rap
32    GUNS 'N ROSES APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION 1987 Rock
33    DIXIE CHICKS WIDE OPEN SPACES 1998 Country
34    MILES DAVIS KIND OF BLUE 1959 Jazz
35    EAGLES HOTEL CALIFORNIA 1976 Rock
36    DEF LEPPARD HYSTERIA 1987 Rock
37    SOUNDTRACK GREASE 1978 Soundtrack
38    MARVIN GAYE WHAT'S GOING ON 1971 R&B
39    BEATLES WHITE ALBUM 1968 Rock
40    SOUNDTRACK SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER 1977 Soundtrack
41    JIMI HENDRIX ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? 1967 Rock
42    BEATLES REVOLVER 1966 Rock
43    BOSTON BOSTON 1976 Rock
44    BON JOVI SLIPPERY WHEN WET 1986 Rock
45    U2 ACHTUNG BABY 1991 Rock
46    WHITNEY HOUSTON WHITNEY HOUSTON 1985 R&B
47    LED ZEPPELIN LED ZEPPELIN II 1969 Rock
48    DAVE MATTHEWS BAND CRASH 1996 Rock
49    ROLLING STONES STICKY FINGERS 1971 Rock
50    GREEN DAY DOOKIE 1994 Rock
51   
LED ZEPPELIN
HOUSES OF THE HOLY
1973
Rock
52    JONI MITCHELL BLUE 1971 Rock
53    ELVIS PRESLEY ELVIS PRESLEY AT SUN 2004 Rock
54    AEROSMITH TOYS IN THE ATTIC 1975 Rock
55    LAURYN HILL MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL 1998 R&B
56    BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN BORN IN THE U.S.A. 1984 Rock
57    50 CENT GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' 2003 Rap
58    AC/DC HIGHWAY TO HELL 1979 Rock
59    NOTORIOUS B.I.G. LIFE AFTER DEATH 1997 Rap
60    VAN HALEN VAN HALEN 1978 Rock
61    GREEN DAY AMERICAN IDIOT 2004 Rock
62    BLACK SABBATH PARANOID 1975 Rock
63    EMINEM EMINEM SHOW 2000 Rap
64    JEWEL PIECES OF YOU 1995 Pop
65    COLDPLAY RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD 2002 Pop
66    MEATLOAF BAT OUT OF HELL 1977 Rock
67    USHER CONFESSIONS 2004 R&B
68    KID ROCK DEVIL WITHOUT A CAUSE 1998 Rock
69    GEORGE HARRISON ALL THINGS MUST PASS 1970 Pop
70    BILLY JOEL STRANGER 1977 Pop
71    EAGLES HELL FREEZES OVER 1994 Rock
72    VAN MORRISON MOONDANCE 1970 Rock
73    REM AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE 1992 Pop
74    PHIL COLLINS NO JACKET REQUIRED 1985 Pop
75    METALLICA MASTER OF PUPPETS 1986 Rock
76   
FAITH HILL
BREATHE
1999
Country
77    JOHNNY CASH AT FOLSOM PRISON 1971 Country
78    JOHN COLTRANE LOVE SUPREME 1964 Jazz
79    PINK FLOYD WISH YOU WERE HERE 1975 Rock
80    MICHAEL JACKSON OFF THE WALL 1979 Pop
81    MARVIN GAYE LET'S GET IT ON 1973 R&B
82    BOB SEGER NIGHT MOVES 1976 Rock
83    PAUL SIMON GRACELAND 1986 Pop
84    LINKIN PARK HYBRID THEORY 2000 Rock
85    PRINCE 1999 1983 Pop
86    DEF LEPPARD PYROMANIA 1983 Rock
87    JANET JACKSON CONTROL 1986 R&B
88    RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS BLOOD SUGAR SEX MAGIK 1991 Rock
89    DIRE STRAITS BROTHERS IN ARMS 1985 Rock
90    TUPAC ALL EYEZ ON ME 1996 Rap
91    MATCHBOX TWENTY YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU 1996 Pop
92    RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS CALIFORNICATION 1999 Rock
93    LED ZEPPELIN PHYSICAL GRAFFITI 1975 Rock
94    NELLY COUNTRY GRAMMAR 2000 Rap
95    CREED HUMAN CLAY 1999 Rock
96    CLASH LONDON CALLING 1979 Rock
97    CELINE DION FALLING INTO YOU 1996 Adult Contemporary
98    NEIL YOUNG HARVEST 1968 Rock
99    SOUNDTRACK DIRTY DANCING 1987 Soundtrack
100    DIXIE CHICKS HOME 2002 Country
101   
TOM PETTY
FULL MOON FEVER
1989
Rock
102    VAN HALEN 1984 1984 Rock
103    SOUNDTRACK TITANIC 1997 Soundtrack
104    CROSBY STILLS & NASH DEJA VU 1970 Rock
105    TLC CRAZYSEXYCOOL 1999 R&B
106    BECK ODELAY 1994 Rock
107    KENNY G BREATHLESS 1992 Adult Contemporary
108    NWA. STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON 1989 Rap
109    SEX PISTOLS NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS 1977 Rock
110    BEATLES RUBBER SOUL 1965 Rock
111    RADIOHEAD O.K. COMPUTER 1997 Rock
112    SIMON & GARFUNKEL BRIDGE OVER TROUBLE WATER 1970 Adult Contemporary
113    DIXIE CHICKS FLY 1999 Country
114    METALLICA AND JUSTICE FOR ALL 1988 Rock
115    MICHAEL JACKSON DANGEROUS 1992 Pop
116    MARIAH CAREY DAYDREAM 1995 Pop
117    SOUNDTRACK TOP GUN 1999 Soundtrack
118    ELTON JOHN GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD 1973 Pop
119    POLICE SYNCHRONICITY 1983 Rock
120    NO DOUBT TRAGIC KINGDOM 1995 Pop
121    ROLLING STONES BEGGAR'S BANQUET 1967 Rock
122    R KELLY R 1998 R&B
123    TOOL LATERALUS 2001 Rock
124    OASIS WHAT'S THE STORY MORNING GLORY 1995 Rock
125    BOB MARLEY EXODUS 1977 Reggae
126   
JOURNEY
ESCAPE
1981
Rock
127    CHRISTINA AGUILERA CHRISTINA AGUILERA 1999 Pop
128    JAY-Z BLUEPRINT 2001 Rap
129    ALICIA KEYS DIARY OF ALICIA KEYS 2003 R&B
130    SOUNDTRACK O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU? 2000 Soundtrack
131    CARS CARS 1978 Pop
132    ENYA DAY WITHOUT RAIN 2000 Adult Contemporary
133    NATALIE COLE UNFORGETTABLE WITH LOVE NATALIE COLE 1991 R&B
134    SOUNDTRACK FOOTLOOSE 1984 Soundtrack
135    LIONEL RICHIE CAN'T SLOW DOWN 1983 Pop
136    SARAH MCLACHLAN SURFACING 1997 Adult Contemporary
137    BONNIE RAITT NICK OF TIME 1989 Rock
138    METALLICA RIDE THE LIGHTNING 1984 Rock
139    SHERYL CROW TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB 1993 Pop
140    FRANK SINATRA IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS 1954 Standards
141    EARTH WIND FIRE GRATITUDE 1975 R&B
142    ZZ TOP ELIMINATOR 1983 Rock
143    WILLIE NELSON RED HEADED STRANGER 1975 Country
144    JOHN LENNON IMAGINE 1971 Rock
145    TONI BRAXTON TONI BRAXTON 1993 R&B
146    ETTA JAMES AT LAST 1961 Blues
147    ELVIS PRESLEY ELVIS PRESLEY 1956 Rock
148    CAT STEVENS TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN 1970 Pop
149    SMASHING PUMPKINS MELLON COLLIE & THE INFINITE SADNESS 1995 Rock
150    DAVE BRUBECK TIME OUT 1959 Jazz
151   
JANET JACKSON
JANET
1993
R&B
152    QUEEN A NIGHT AT THE OPERA 1975 Rock
153    OZZY OSBOURNE BLIZZARD OF OZZ 1981 Rock
154    WILL SMITH BIG WILLIE STYLE 1997 Rap
155    PRINCE SIGN OF THE TIMES 1987 Pop
156    PUBLIC ENEMY IT TAKES A NATION OF MILLIONS TO HOLD US BACK 1988 Rap
157    BOB DYLAN BLOOD ON THE TRACKS 1975 Rock
158    GEORGE MICHAEL FAITH 1987 Pop
159    BOYZ II MEN COOLEYHIGHHARMONY 1993 R&B
160    DESTINY'S CHILD WRITING'S ON THE WALL 1999 R&B
161    JAY-Z BLACK ALBUM 2003 Rap
162    AVRIL LAVIGNE LET GO 2002 Pop
163    FUGEES SCORE 1996 R&B
164    MADONNA LIKE A VIRGIN 1984 Pop
165    LED ZEPPELIN LED ZEPPELIN 1969 Rock
166    STEVIE RAY VAUGHN TEXAS FLOOD 1983 R&B
167    STONE TEMPLE PILOTS CORE 1992 Rock
168    ORIGINAL CAST PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 1988 Soundtrack
169    JETHRO TULL AQUALUNG 1971 Rock
170    TUPAC ME AGAINST THE WORLD 1995 Rap
171    DAVID BOWIE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST 1972 Rock
172    SHAKIRA LAUNDRY SERVICE 1998 Pop
173    SOUNDTRACK FORREST GUMP 1994 Soundtrack
174    AL GREEN CALL ME 1973 R&B
175    CURTIS MAYFIELD SUPERFLY 1972 R&B
176   
LIVE
THROWING COPPER
1994
Rock
177    GEORGE BENSON BREEZIN' 1976 Jazz
178    WHITE STRIPES WHITE BLOOD CELLS 2001 Rock
179    LYNYRD SKYNYRD PRONOUNCED LEH-NERD SKIN-ERD 1973 Rock
180    SADE DIAMOND LIFE 1984 Adult Contemporary
181    FLEETWOOD MAC FLEETWOOD MAC 1975 Pop
182    PAUL MCCARTNEY & WINGS BAND ON THE RUN 1973 Rock
183    BEYONCE DANGEROUSLY IN LOVE 2003 R&B
184    ANITA BAKER RAPTURE 1986 R&B
185    NAS IIIMATIC 1994 Rap
186    BARBARA STREISAND A STAR IS BORN 1976 Soundtrack
187    EARTH WIND FIRE THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD 1975 R&B
188    ANITA BAKER RHYTHM OF LOVE 1994 R&B
189    JAY-Z IN MY LIFETIME VOL 1 1997 Rap
190    LL COOL J MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT 1990 Rap
191    STEELY DAN AJA 1991 Rock
192    WILLIE NELSON STARDUST 1978 Country
193    ARETHA FRANKLIN SPARKLE 1976 R&B
194    ANDREA BOCELLI ANDREA 2004 Classical
195    BOB DYLAN BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME 1965 Rock
196    LUTHER VANDROSS NEVER TOO MUCH 1981 R&B
197    U2 ALL THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND 2000 Rock
198    RUSH 2112 1976 Rock
199    OUTKAST AQUEMINI 1998 R&B
200    GRAND FUNK RAILROAD WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND 1973 Rock

1-6-07

Pink Floyd Rock Icon Roger Waters Records "Hello (I Love You)," an Original Song for New Line Cinema's "The Last Mimzy"

Waters Collaborates With Oscar-Winning Composer Howard Shore and Pink Floyd Producer James Guthrie

Legendary musician Roger Waters has recorded the original song "Hello (I Love You)" to be featured in New Line Cinema's upcoming sci-fi film "The Last Mimzy" (to be released nationwide on March 23rd). Waters collaborated with Academy Award-winning composer Howard Shore ("The Lord of the Rings" trilogy) and Grammy Award-winning Pink Floyd producer James Guthrie ("The Wall") on the song, which marks only the second time Waters has ever recorded an original song specifically for a motion picture.

"It has been great collaborating with (director) Bob Shaye and Howard Shore on 'The Last Mimzy,'" says Waters. "I think together we've come up with a song that captures the themes of the movie, the clash between humanity's best and worst instincts, and how a child's innocence can win the day."

Shaye adds, "It's an honor to have a huge talent like Roger Waters contribute a song to 'The Last Mimzy.'"

A warm, midtempo song inspired by the film's theme of the delicate balance between ecology and technology, "Hello (I Love You)" will be featured in the film and will run over the end credits. The six and a half minute song will be available on New Line Records' official soundtrack for "The Last Mimzy," which is scheduled for a spring release.

"Hello (I Love You)" was co-written by Waters and Shore, co-produced and engineered by Waters, Shore and Guthrie, and executive produced by New Line Cinema's President of Music Paul Broucek. The song was performed by an A-list team of musicians including drummer Steve Gadd (Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Steely Dan), guitarist Gerry Leonard (music director/guitarist for David Bowie), and Waters on bass and vocals. Additionally, "The Last Mimzy's" 6-year-old star Rhiannon Leigh Wryn appears on the track, singing along with Waters on the song's chorus.

Globally renowned as founder member, lyricist and principal composer of legendary rock band Pink Floyd, Waters has also had a successful solo career and masterminded one of the largest concerts ever -- The Wall Concert in Berlin in 1990. Waters is a member of the U.S. and UK Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, and in 2005 released the opera album "Ca Ira," which reached #1 on both the U.S. and UK Classical charts. This marks only the second time that Waters has ever penned an original song for a film, the first being "Lost Boys Calling" in the 1998 drama "The Legend of the Pianist on the Ocean," coincidentally distributed by New Line.

Guthrie served as producer and studio engineer on a number of Pink Floyd and Waters' solo albums starting with "The Wall" in 1979. He was also responsible for the sound at the live performances of "The Wall." He remastered "Dark Side of the Moon" for the 20th Anniversary Edition CD and produced Waters' 2000 live album "In The Flesh" and the Pink Floyd compilation "Echoes."

Shore is among the most respected, honored and active film composers and music conductors at work today. He has won multiple Academy Awards and Grammys for his work scoring such films as "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "The Aviator," "The Silence of the Lambs," "Philadelphia," and New Line's "Seven," among others.

Based on the acclaimed sci-fi short story by Lewis Padgett, "The Last Mimzy" tells the story of two children who discover a mysterious box that contains some strange devices they think are toys.

"The Last Mimzy" features an ensemble cast that includes Timothy Hutton ("Ordinary People," "General's Daughter"), Joely Richardson ("The Patriot," "Nip/Tuck"), and Rainn Wilson ("The Office"). It is produced by Michael Phillips ("The Sting," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind") and directed by Bob Shaye (executive producer of, among other films, "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy). Shaye is also founder, Co-Chairman, and Co-CEO of New Line Cinema.


7-03-06

PINK FLOYD PULSE DVD - OFFICIAL LAUNCH

Report by Marcus Hearn and Matt Johns, http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/

David Gilmour, Richard Wright and Nick Mason reunited as Pink Floyd for the launch of the Pulse DVD at the Vue cinema in London’s Leicester Square last night (Tuesday July 3rd). The event was attended by executives from EMI, music journalists (including your very own Brain Damage!) and Floyd luminaries including Phil Manzanera, Dick Parry, and Guy Pratt, alongside Storm Thorgerson and Peter Curzon, who were responsible for the packaging and DVD design.

To kick things off, as the band members arrived at the venue, a large pair of eyeballs was signed, along with three massive representations of the DVD artwork. These will be auctioned off for charity, along with a red Strat, again signed by the three.


Items to be auctioned off for charity


A unique edit of Pulse, comprising Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Learning To Fly, High Hopes and the entire Dark Side of the Moon was digitally projected with a stunning Dolby 5.1 sound mix, very loud and crystal clear. Shine On You Crazy Diamond appeared markedly different from the version we’re used to seeing, with the long instrumental introduction augmented by previously unseen backstage clips of the band.

Following the screening the band took to the stage to answer questions from BBC Radio 2’s Stuart Maconie. Very relaxed, the band made plenty of jokes about themselves and the subjects under discussion.

Richard kicked things off by explaining what a joy it was to see Pulse, as he’d never had the opportunity to see their show himself. The new DVD gave him a chance to see and hear the show in great quality. David also mentioned that it is “fantastic to watch it like this, as it’s a privilege we just never ever get – it’s extraordinary the amount of stuff that’s happening behind us…”

During the screening, Gilmour had been spotted singing along with the music and even seemed to be conducting it at one point during Us and Them. ‘It’s in the blood, I can’t help it,’ he explained. He then revealed that he’d recently been to see the Eagles in concert and had sung along to all their songs too. All three claimed that it was strange seeing themselves in performance, amid jokes about the lengths of Guy and Jon Carin’s hair in 1994. Richard himself complained of having a bad hair day the day of the filming!

Inevitably, the discussion turned to Live8.

Gilmour: “Well, the performance was great and we had a wonderful time. One can only hope that it did some good; the jury’s still out I think, but I’m sure it was better to have done it than to have not done it.”

“I think it achieved certain elements of what was required,” Mason added, “and I think, as far as I’m concerned, the most useful thing was that I think it moved the dialogue on from this idea that rock concerts, or charity rock concerts, are there in order simply to send food parcels.

“I think a lot of people after that at least started asking questions about the politics of world trade and I think that’s enormously worthwhile and I also think, you know, we haven’t finished. I think Bob Geldof is particularly exercised at the moment about ensuring that promises or undertakings that were made, if haven’t been met - then, well, a fuss should be made. I expect we’ll have to turn out in Hyde Park again in a few months time if they don’t do something.”

The subsequent audience Q&A brought inevitable enquiries about future Pink Floyd performances. Mason and especially Wright seemed amenable to play further shows as part of Pink Floyd (“being on stage is just… wonderful”). Indeed on being asked if they’d want to do the reunion again, Richard responded with a most definite “YES!” and later stated he’d be “happy on stage anywhere”.

“Well, you know, we’ve all been out,” Gilmour expanded, “All four of the old group - the classic line up if you want to call it that - have been out plying our trade this year and so we all are doing exactly that and it’s been enormously great fun for myself, and for Richard. How about you Nick? You’ve done it a little bit more recently!”

Mason: “Just looking at it again, it does remind you that it is great fun – I don’t think there is a better job in the world, really….”

On the foreseeable future, David remarked that “my plan is to just meander on in my own particular way for the time being.”

Rick Wright followed by saying, “And I guess my plan is to meander along. AND whenever Dave wants me to play with him, I’m really happy to play with him. And [to Gilmour] you’ll play with me right?”

Gilmour: “Of course!” followed by Mason (to much laughter and applause) “Of course, I’m available to everyone.”

Gilmour did not rule out further archive releases, citing the 1989 Venice concert in particular, but claimed that there was nothing in the works. He responded to a query about the Wall shows at Earls Court by stating that the footage was now “100% under Roger Waters control”, and that the quality was still not quite good enough for release.

There was a light-hearted question about Scissor Sisters’ version of Comfortably Numb, which Gilmour happily described as “jolly entertaining”. He said that he was happy for other people to cover Pink Floyd songs, and Mason added that innovative covers were preferable to tribute bands, “copying every mistake we’ve ever made, perfectly”. Wright highlighted the reggae album Dub Side of the Moon, and Mason claimed that Luther Wright and the Wrongs’ country and western version of The Wall was a particular favourite of his.

The final question was about the old Dark Side of the Moon/Wizard of Oz theory, which was met with mock exasperation by Mason. He closed the Q&A session by suggesting that if anyone had the time and inclination they might want to listen to The Wall while watching The Dam Busters, as apparently that doesn’t work either!


6-12-06

Pink Floyd Frontman Syd Barrett Dies

by Adam Bernstein, The Washington Post

Syd Barrett, 60, the singer-songwriter-guitarist who co-founded the British rock band Pink Floyd and whose drug-fueled mental collapse became a cautionary tale of rock lore, died of complications from diabetes July 7 at his home in Cambridgeshire, England.

Darkly handsome and with brooding, poetic eyes, Mr. Barrett was the charismatic early frontman of Pink Floyd. He wrote several of its psychedelic pop hits of the late 1960s, including "Arnold Layne," about a transvestite who steals women's underwear from clotheslines, "See Emily Play," about a schoolgirl groupie, and "Astronomy Domine," which tried to sonically reproduce an LSD trip.


 

6-13-05

Hey, You! Pink Floyd Reunites

by Josh Grossberg

The wall has come tumbling down.

After nearly a quarter century of acrimony, the classic lineup of Pink Floyd, including band cofounder and creative force Roger Waters, will reunite to perform at the all-star Live 8 concert in London on July 2.

The occasion marks the first time bassist-vocalist Waters, guitarist-vocalist David Gilmour, keyboard player Richard Wright and drummer Nick Mason have played together since 1981, when a power struggle between Waters and Gilmour led the former to leave the group and unsuccessfully sue his estranged bandmates for control of the Pink Floyd name.

The band, which has already proved pigs can fly via its classic concert prop, will be among the headliners at the Hyde Park show, one of six being organized to pressure leaders of the G8 and Russia to do more to fight poverty and AIDS in developing nations. The Live 8 shows are being organized by Bob Geldof as a sequel of sorts to his Live Aid extravaganza in 1985.

Geldof also starred in the 1982 cult movie Pink Floyd's The Wall and is a longtime acquaintance of the band.

"Like most people I want to do everything I can to persuade the G8 leaders to make huge commitments to the relief of poverty and increased aid to the third world. It's crazy that America gives such a paltry percentage of its GNP to the starving nations," said Gilmour. "Any squabbles Roger and the band have had in the past are so petty in this context, and if reforming for this concert will help focus attention then it's got to be worthwhile."

But before you get comfortably numb, Floyd fans, don't expect a world tour.

Said Waters: "It's great to be asked to help Bob raise public awareness on the issues of third world debt and poverty. The cynics will scoff, screw 'em! Also, to be given the opportunity to put the band back together, even if it's only for a few numbers is a big bonus."

Pink Floyd will be a top draw in a show that will also feature performances by fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Paul McCartney, U2 and Elton John, along with A-list artists like Coldplay, Madonna and Mariah Carey.

(So many people attempted to get tickets to the London show that it set a new record. Per The Guinness Book of Records, exactly 2,060,285 text-message entries were submitted for a shot at the free 66,500 pairs of tickets, making the giveaway the "largest text-message lottery" in history.)

The Waters-Gilmour-Wright-Mason roster created the band's most seminal music: 1971's Meddle, 1975's Wish You Were Here, 1979's The Wall, the rock opera that spawned their biggest commercial hit, "Another Brick in the Wall," and, what is considered Floyd's greatest work, 1973's Dark Side of the Moon, one of the most popular albums of all time, having remained on the Billboard charts for nearly 15 years and certified at 15-times platinum.

After Water's departure, the three remaining members released a handful discs as Pink Floyd, most notably 1987's successful A Momentary Lapse of Reason and the band's last studio effort, 1994's The Division Bell. The band remained a huge concert draw, selling out stadiums night, but failed to achieve the critical success or level of innovation that marked their 1970s heyday.

Waters, meanwhile, embarked on a solo career that never approached his Floyd fame. In 1989, he staged a massive recreation of The Wall at Potzdamer Platz, Berlin, to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall that's still considered one of the largest concerts in rock history. He also recently agreed to mount a Broadway version of the rock opera set to debut this December.

Aside from the London concert, Live 8 shows are also being staged on July 2 in Philadelphia with Dave Matthews Band, Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Will Smith, Sarah McLachlan, Jay-Z and P. Diddy; in Paris with Jamiroquai, Placebo and Andrea Bocelli; in Berlin with Lauryn Hill, Brian Wilson and Crosby, Stills & Nash; and in Rome with Duran Duran, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. A sixth concert featuring Annie Lennox, Dido and Travis is slated for Edinburgh on July 6, the day the G8 summit kicks off.


11-26-04

Pink Floyd pupils sue for royalties

By Nigel Rosser, Evening Standard

A group of former pupils at a London comprehensive school are poised to win thousands of pounds in unpaid royalties for singing on Pink Floyd's classic Another Brick In The Wall 25 years ago.

The pupils from the 1979 fourthform music class at Islington Green School secretly recorded vocals after their teacher was approached by the band's management.

Now the 23 ex-pupils are suing for overdue session musician royalties, taking advantage of the Copyright Act 1997 to claim a percentage of the money from broadcasts.

Music teacher Alun Renshaw took the 13- to 14-year-old pupils out of lessons by to the nearby Britannia Recording Studios in Islington to record - without the head's permission.

With its chorus of "We don't need no education, we don't need no thought control, no dark sarcasm in the classroom - teachers leave them kids alone," the song was an anthem for teenagers. The album The Wall sold over 12 million copies.

Music royalties expert Peter Rowan said: "Some of the kids have put in a claim for royalties due to session musicians for recordings played on the radio or broadcast since 1997. We are going through the process of claiming now."

Today, Mr Renshaw, 59, revealed how he hid the song's lyrics from the head. The Evening Standard tracked him down to his home outside Sydney, Australia, where he runs a vocational training course company.

He said: "I viewed it as an interesting sociological thing and also a wonderful opportunity for the kids to work in a live recording studio.

"We had a week where we practised around the piano at school, then we recorded it at the studios. I sort of mentioned it to the headteacher, but didn't give her a piece of paper with the lyrics on it."

When the song was released the Inner London Education Authority called it "scandalous".

Headteacher Margaret Maden banned the children from appearing on Top Of The Pops or in newspapers and refused to let the band make a video of them singing it.

Mr Renshaw, who emigrated shortly after the song reached No1, said: "Afterwards I looked at the words again and realised ... well! But the parents said it was great and the children loved doing it. Margaret was very good about it. She absorbed most of the politics and I didn't get too badly told off."

Islington Green's current headmaster, Trevor Averre-Beeson, has a platinum record of the song, and the school got a cheque for ?1,000. But Mr Renshaw said: "At the time we didn't think of it in terms of money, more of the experience."

Ms Maden, 62, now a professor at Keele, said: "Alun Renshaw was a seriously good if somewhat anarchic music teacher. I was only told about it after the event, which didn't please me. But on balance it was part of a very rich musical education."

Peter Thorpe, who sang on the single, told friends: "We were just taken to the studios and it was great fun. I didn't realise royalties were owed and I'm very glad to be in a position to claim them."


05-12-04

New Pink Floyd DVD and Book Set

June 14th sees the release of a major look at the career of Pink Floyd, with the 2 DVD and book set "Inside Pink Floyd: A Critical Review 1967 - 1996", released on the Classic Rock label as part of their "Critical Review" series, which has already covered artists such as Genesis, Led Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy.

The series features rare archive footage of the bands in question, together with interview footage from the performers themselves, alongside the comment and analysis by critics, other musicians, and musicologists.

The Pink Floyd title covers their concerts, records, and film work, from Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, to Pulse. DVD disc 1 looks at the years 1967 - 1974, and disc 2 1975 - 1996. Along the way, the departure of Roger Waters, leaving David Gilmour in charge of the band, is covered in detail. The book is a track-by-track analysis of each studio album.

The DVD will be released worldwide, in PAL and NTSC editions for the different markets, and the release date is currently set for the same day irrespective of the country.


12-17-02

Pink Floyd 'Dark Side Of The Moon' DVD-Audio Edition In Progress

By Bruce Simon

It looks like Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon will soon be heard in a whole new way. Rumors have been circulating for a little while that a DVD-Audio (DVD-A) version of the album, remixed in 5.1 Surround Sound, is in progress, although a label spokesperson would only say that it's not on the release schedule. Now, however, Alan Parsons has confirmed the project's existence.

Speaking at the Surround 2002 Expo in Beverly Hills last week, Parsons said that the members of Pink Floyd have been working on a DVD-A Dark Side. However, Parsons added that even though he was the engineer on the original Dark Side sessions, and that he has a lot of ideas for the new project, the band members have decided not to involve him in the process, according to a report on the audiophile website Audiorevolution.com.

Spokespeople for Parsons and Capitol Records were unavailable for further comment.

It should be noted that the 30th anniversary of the release of Dark Side Of The Moon is coming up in March.


12-28-2001

Just a quick note.  I received a great gift for Christmas that any Pink Floyd fan would enjoy.  It is called the 100 Best Album Covers and is by Storm Thorgenson & Aubrey Powell.  The book lists a couple of the Pink Floyd covers, but also has some really interesting other covers in it too.  Click on the image below to check it out. Pick one up if you get a chance, it is a good read and a must for the music lover

cover


9-28-2001

The career of Pink Floyd — non-stop

By Edna Gundersen, USA TODAY

Pink Floyd echoes in the music of countless prog-rock offspring who have emulated and embezzled the band's dark, ambient experiments since the mid-1960s. Now the groundbreaking British group is reviving those blueprints in its first offical career-spanning collection, Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd.

Due in November on Capitol in the USA and EMI elsewhere, the double album includes nearly 2 1/2 hours of remastered tracks mixed as one continuous piece of music. Songs include See Emily Play, Money, Shine on You Crazy Diamond, Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb, One of These Days, Arnold Layne and, for the first time on CD, When the Tigers Broke Free, a song from The Wall film that was released only on a limited-edition vinyl single. The 26-track set, to be available on CD, cassette and vinyl, was assembled by producer and engineer James Guthrie with input from Floyd alumni David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Rick Wright.

"The trickiest thing is getting four strong personalities to agree on what to include," Guthrie says. "About 80% was unanimous, and the last bit involved a bit of diplomacy. It's impossible to represent Pink Floyd on two CDs, but within this limited framework, it does contain some of the band's favorite songs."

Longer tunes required prudent editing, including shaving 7 minutes off the title track's original 23 1/2 minutes. "We're close to finalizing the running order," Guthrie says. "The band is going over three different mock-ups. We decided early on that a non-chronological order would be more interesting to listen to."


8-8-2001

This week marks the 19 year anniversary of the debut of The Wall movie.  Here is an article from Entertainment Weekly about the movie.......

''Pink Floyd The Wall'' debuted 19 years ago. The flick shook the foundations of the pop movie musical and became a cult classic
When ''Pink Floyd the Wall'' opened on Aug. 6, 1982, moviegoers were flabbergasted by its sledgehammer visual approach, frenetic style, and utter lack of dialogue. But no one would have guessed that the psychodrama really had its beginnings with a 1977 concert at Montreal's Olympic Stadium where Pink Floyd's lyricist/ bassist Roger Waters spat on a fan, which he later admitted was a rather fascist thing to do.

Intrigued by his own fascistic impulse, Waters gave expression to the theme in ''The Wall,'' which tells the sad story of Pink (played by Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof), a rock star who, upon finding himself estranged from society, sinks into a catatonic haze rife with images of children being fed into a meat grinder, a man-eating flower in sexual congress, and himself as a Hitler- like demagogue.

Of course, the movie is based on Pink Floyd's 1979 concept album ''The Wall.'' Its hit single ''Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)'' sent cries of ''We don't need no education'' hurtling through high schools. In 1980, Waters and animator Gerald Scarfe began plotting a movie. They were soon joined by director Alan Parker (''Fame''). Parker's mission: Translate the album into a hyperkinetic, surreal film.

Easier said than done. Production on the $10 million flick started in late 1981, and England's Pinewood Studios was haunted by rows and walkouts for months. ''It was one of the most miserable experiences I've had working on a film, mostly because of Roger,'' admits Parker. ''It was his miserable life that I was filming. The problem wasn't over creative differences, just a collision of egos. [Waters] was used to being in control of his world and I was used to being in control of mine.''

When ''Pink Floyd The Wall'' finally hit theaters, both critics and audiences were taken aback (Roger Ebert has championed it as ''one of the great modern musicals,'' while Steven Spielberg reacted with indifference at a Cannes Film Festival screening). The film eventually grossed $22.2 million domestically and was considered a box office failure.

To many devotees, its commercial misfire was irrelevant. They argued that its blazing visions were years ahead of their time, a theory confirmed by the film's cult status and the explosive success of its formative MTV aesthetic.

Parker and Waters haven't spoken since their work on ''The Wall.'' Parker went on to make another musical with a rock star at the center: 1996's ''Evita.'' As for Waters, he's rumored to be tinkering with a stage version of his opus, giving fans hope of yet another brick in ''The Wall.''


4-13-2001

courtesy of sonicnet.com

British prog-rockers best-of due in November.

Who says album rockers don't have hits? Not Pink Floyd, who are assembling a best-of collection to be released this November.

A Chrysalis executive said the album will be "aimed at a mainstream audience," according to Billboard. Though better known for their conceptual full-length recordings, the British prog-rockers have had their share of radio hits, from 1973's "Money" to 1979's "Another Brick in the Wall."

Though Pink Floyd are said to be helping put together the track listing, the band has been split into two different camps since the 1980s, when songwriter and vocalist Roger Waters left the group and sued to stop the three remaining members from using the name. He lost, and has toured as a solo act since, while the three remaining members — guitarist/singer David Gilmour, keyboardist Rick Wright and drummer Nick Mason — continued to tour and record as Pink Floyd with massive success.

Floyd's only other best-of package, the ironically titled A Collection of Great Dance Songs, was released in 1981.

— Eric Schumacher-Rasmussen