5 man Pink Floyd
Posted on May 25, 2008
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Pink Floyd are possibly unique amongst bands as having lost it’s central character – not once but twice – and still kept going. This is why I chose the picture of the short-lived 5 man set up (from 1968) when Dave Gilmore was brought in to help with live performances as Syd Barrett’s behaviour and playing became increasingly erratic.
Barrett was the major songwriter and performed on the first album, A Piper at the Gates of Dawn. His eventual replacement by Gilmore saw the creative mantel pass to other members of the band, both together and individually, with Waters eventually emerging as the dominant songwriter.
Their early stuff with Barrett was great psychedelia. And through the 70s they began to re-find their feet with albums like “Atom Heart Mother” (cows and wind instruments) and “Meddle” (“Across the Universe” inspired). Then later on their two mega-selling releases “Dark Side of the Moon” and “Wish You Were Here”.
Maybe I am alone in enjoying the “Pink Floyd The Wall” film and they still had it going on with that double album. But the last Waters-inspired album “The Final Cut” wasn’t too well-received and Waters announced in December 1985 that he was departing Pink Floyd, describing the band as “a spent force”.
But in 1986 Gilmour and Mason began recording a new Pink Floyd album “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” and then with Wright in 1994 , The Division Bell. A bitter legal dispute ensued in the late-eighties with Waters claiming that the name “Pink Floyd” should have been put to rest.
On 2nd July 2005, the band reunited once again for a one-off performance at the London Live 8 concert. There was something very appealing in seeing four old men playing together live for the first time in two decades and for once, not hiding behind light shows and pyrotechnics as they had in the past.
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26 Responses to “5 man Pink Floyd”
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Good article : ]
I really like the image included with the blog post!
I think it is a testimony to the talent of the band members that they could carry on and continue to make such great music. I sure do wish I could have been there when the band reunited once again for a one-off performance at the London Live 8 concert, as you noted. That would have been something to see.
Pink Floyd are really unique. The pinkish theme really makes them outstand.
I agree — a very unique group of artists!
Nice picture..
Thanks for sharing all the information. Perhaps they are next to “James Brown” who are able to impress me.
I can not more describe how incredible band Pink Floyd is. They are musical magicians. Every song symbolizes something which cross the human imaginations.
They are just great band ever.
They will live on forever in everyone!
I find their music depressing. A bunch of rich old middle-class hippies whining. It’s comical when well-off white folks seize on any poor man’s music genre.
‘Feel my pain, I’m on 40% income tax’. Har har!
Didn’t they help ruin people’s lives by glamourising drug use? You never hear about the people who took one trip too many and left a piece of themselves behind when they came back.
Except, I suppose, Mr. Barrett’s condition might have given a clue to the smarter ones. But, for some, I understand it adds to the ‘mystique’.
I love Pink Floyd. My dad used to play their songs at our house every day. I practically grew up listening to their songs… I love what you did with their picture…
Love the picture, they are the best band eer formed, EVER
pink floyd truly are a unique bad, have many fond memories listening to their music. They will always live on through the magic they created.
They will live together….the graphics in pink is so great for me….
I like the dark side of the moon, everything on that album was cool, I dont know if it was the shrooms or drugs but that brought out the most of their talents. I dont really care for their later albums, I probably couldnt even recognize any of their new songs, nor would I want to.
I dont think people today realise how good they are, like its usually mums n dads who love them, I think they are amazing I really do, I keep trying to get my friends into them
It would be nice if some of these aging bands, like Pink Floyd, could put aside their egos and just play music – together. They are all talented musicians as individuals, and probably have some interesting things going on in their lives, but they are really a ‘band’ – a group of individuals, who together have made unforgettable music.
The 2005 ‘reunion’ was very special.
My first exposure to Pink Floyd was “The Wall” back in my college days. I loved it!
Like Diana said, I dont think people realize how good pink floyd was. I really didnt appreciate them for a long time but when I gave them a chance I was totally blown away by how great they are.
Man, Tell you what, this really took me back. I can’t telly you how I loved the Wall. And some of Pink Floyd’s new stuff is really out there!
I really like Pink Floyd. I like their songs and almost everything else that’s about them.
pink floyd is a very good rock bank. the dark side of the moon is ok.
Today is comming to Spain the Australian Pink Floyd, im very amazing to watch theme!
I have been wondering, since Rick Wright’s passing if they ever do decide to get together again for a reunion, can the do it and pull it off without Rick? Who could fill those shoes. Even though he didn’t get along with Roger, he’s an integral part of the Pink Floyd sound.
Pink Floyd is a living testimony of what real music means to me… since I realized how good they are, I can’t leave them, I have all their discography and planning to develop a blog… someone wants to join me in this project? searching for volunteers..
Pink Floyd is the best. I’m waiting for years now to find something better and I had no luck so far.