Pink Floyd

Biography

Pink Floyd were an English rock band formed in London in 1965. They are renowned for their progressive and psychedelic music. The original lineup consisted of students Syd Barrett (lead vocals, lead guitar), Nick Mason (drums), Roger Waters (bass, vocals), and Richard Wright (keyboards, vocals). The band's name was created by Barrett, by combining the names of two blues musicians, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council.

The Syd Barrett Era (1965-1968)

Initially, Pink Floyd was a popular band in London's underground music scene. Led by principal songwriter Syd Barrett, they released their first single "Arnold Layne" in March 1967, followed by "See Emily Play" in June 1967. Their debut album, "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn," was released in August 1967 and is considered a landmark of psychedelic rock. However, Barrett's increasingly erratic behavior, exacerbated by his heavy use of psychedelic drugs, made him an unreliable member. In late 1967, guitarist David Gilmour was asked to join the band to supplement Barrett's guitar parts. Barrett was officially ousted from the band in April 1968.

The Post-Barrett Era and Rise to Fame (1968-1973)

Following Barrett's departure, David Gilmour and Roger Waters became the band's primary songwriters. The band released a series of albums, including "A Saucerful of Secrets" (1968) and the soundtrack for the film "More" (1969). They began to develop a more distinct sound, characterized by long instrumental passages and complex arrangements. In 1970, they released "Atom Heart Mother," which featured a full orchestra and choir. This was followed by "Meddle" (1971), which included the 23-minute epic "Echoes."

The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

"The Dark Side of the Moon," released in 1973, was a commercial and critical masterpiece that catapulted Pink Floyd to international stardom. The concept album, with themes of conflict, greed, the passage of time, and mental illness, was a departure from their previous work. It became one of the best-selling albums of all time, remaining on the Billboard charts for 741 weeks between 1973 and 1988.

The Roger Waters-Led Era (1975-1985)

Following the success of "The Dark Side of the Moon," Roger Waters became the band's dominant creative force. This period saw the release of a string of successful concept albums, including "Wish You Were Here" (1975), a tribute to Syd Barrett, and "Animals" (1977), a critique of social and political conditions in Britain. Tensions within the band began to grow, culminating in the recording of "The Wall" (1979). A rock opera conceived almost entirely by Waters, "The Wall" explored themes of isolation and abandonment. Keyboardist Richard Wright was fired from the band during the album's production. The album was a massive success and was adapted into a feature film in 1982. The final album of this era, "The Final Cut," was released in 1983 and is essentially a Roger Waters solo album. Waters officially left the band in 1985, believing Pink Floyd was a "spent force creatively".

The David Gilmour-Led Era (1987-2014)

After a legal battle over the use of the band's name, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and a returning Richard Wright continued as Pink Floyd. They released "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" in 1987, followed by "The Division Bell" in 1994. In 2005, Roger Waters rejoined the band for a one-off performance at the Live 8 benefit concert. Richard Wright passed away in 2008. In 2014, Gilmour and Mason released "The Endless River," which was based on unreleased material from "The Division Bell" sessions and was declared to be the final Pink Floyd album. In 2022, Gilmour and Mason reunited as Pink Floyd to release the song "Hey, Hey, Rise Up!" in protest of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.