Pink Floyd, with its long history and physical anonymity, has influenced
many artists and fans over the years. The band, like other artists, has
been both praised and criticized. Like many other successful bands of
the era, their history has been confusing and long. Although Pink Floyd’s
members have come and gone, their longevity in the business allows them
to remain a musical cornerstone; symbolizing an era of rock excess and
musical transition.
The origins of Pink Floyd began with Syd Barrett (Roger Keith Barrett, 6
January 1946, Cambridge, England; bass/vocals) and Roger Waters (9
September 1944, Great Bookham, Cambridge, England; guitar/vocals). The
two boys lived in the same neighborhood as children. After learning that
they both shared the common loss of a father at a young age, the two
became close friends. In 1964, Barrett attended the Camberwell School of
Art where he met David Gilmour (6 March 1944, Cambridge, England;
guitar/vocals). Meanwhile, Waters attended Cambridge’s Regent ST.
Polytechnic Academy where he focused his studies on architecture. During
this time, Waters formed an R&B genre band he named Sigma 6. He formed
Sigma 6 with his fellow students and friends Nick Mason (27 January 1945,
Birmingham, England; drums) and Rick Wright (28 July 1945, London,
England; keyboard). At this time the band was composed of Clive Metcalfe
on bass, Waters on guitar and Juliette Gale as vocals. Gale would later
marry Wright. Soon afterwards, Brian Close (lead guitar) replaced
Metcalf. Waters then switched to bass guitar. The band, along with being
unable to hold onto members, also could not solidify a name. During
this time, they called themselves everything from T-Set, Screaming
Abdabs, Sigma 6, Megadeaths, Architectural Abdabs, to Abdabs. In 1965,
the group fell apart.
Shortly afterwards, however, Barrett, Waters, Wright, and Mason
reconvened once again. They decided to call themselves Pink Floyd. They
decided on the name by combining two artists they all felt were
inspirational; Pink Anderson and Floyd Council (both Georgia blues
artists. Barrett had thought of the idea. The group then went to the
Thompson Private Recording Company to begin their work. The company,
which was very small, was located in the basement of an old house. It
was at this time that Pink Floyd recorded the songs ‘Lucy Leave” (written
by Barrett; has an R&B flavor mixed with Pop) and “I’m a King Bee” (cover
of Slim Harpo’s hit). At this time, London was experiencing an
underground movement known as counter culture. In October 1966, Pink
Floyd had a big strike of luck when the U.F.O. club opened in London.
The men practically became a house band. They soon caught the attention
of EMI and signed to their Columbia Label.
In January 1967, Pink Floyd’s debut single, “Arnold Layne,” became a top
twenty. The single, which depicted the life of a transvestite thief,
was banned by the BBC. The controversy, rather than hurt Pink Floyd,
only helped elevate their success. In June 1967, Pink Floyd released the
single, “See Emily Play.” The single reached number six.
Pink Floyd then released their debut album entitled The Piper At the
Gates of Dawn. The record was recorded at London’s famed Abbey Road. It
featured the songs “Bike,” “Interstellar,” “Overdrive,” and “Tonite Let’s
All Make Love in London.” In November 1967, Pink Floyd released three
more singles; “Apples and Oranges,” “Vegetable Man,” and “Scream Thy
Last Scream.” The latter two were deemed unsuitable for release. It was
at this time that Barrett began using an enormous amount of drugs; most
notably acid. In 1968, Barrett left the band. He was replaced by friend,
Dave Gilmour. Barrett later released two solo albums.
During the summer of 1968, Pink Floyd released their second LP entitled
A Saucerful of Secrets. The cd featured Barrett originals “Jugaband
Blues,” “It Would Be So Nice,” and “Point Me At the Sky.” The LP also
featured the song, “Set The Controls for the Heart of the Sun.” In July
1969, Pink Floyd’s “The Nile Song” was featured on the More soundtrack.
The song was praised as being melodic and pastoral. It was around this
time that England was experiencing a very progressive rock scene.
Soon afterwards, the group released Ummagumma. The album was a double
set cd released on EMI’s label, Harvest. One disc was live and the other
was a poorly produced studio set. Pink Floyd’s next album was Atom
Heart Mother which reached number one in October of 1970. The album was
ground breaking due to the fact it featured an orchestra. Critics said
the album was brave, but very, very flawed and reckless. This album was
the first time the group placed a creative cover on the album. Rather,
than a shot of the band. This trend-setting event would help to
transform the band into stardom and continues to be discussed into the
present day. In 1972, Pink Floyd did a group of converts at London’s
Rainbow Theatre during February. They also filmed the movie, Live at
Pompeii. The film was clips of the band playing at the amphitheatre
along with interviews and studio footage. They were also featured on the
soundtrack for the film, La Vallee. They also released the album,
Meddle. Meddle featured the single “Echoes.”
In March 1973, Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon. They had
originally planned to name the album, Eclipse. This album is considered
by many critics to be the band’s greatest musical achievement. It
remained on the US Billboard Chart for 625 week; over thirteen years
after its release. Even during the 1990s it was viewed as ground
breaking and new wave. Some even claim that it is more highly discussed
than The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper. Surprisingly, the album never reached
number one. Pink Floyd, shortly after the album’s release, toured. In
1975, the released Wish You Were Here. The album, which came out in
September, featured the single ”Shine on you Crazy Diamond.” The song
was about Barrett. It portrayed him as a lonely, obese druggie. By this
time, the group was being titled as ‘heavy concept’ artists. The group
was having tension at this point as well. Although Barrett had left
years prior, fans still adored him. It was becoming common practice at
concerts for Waters to yell “Syd is not here!” after numerous shouts
from fans for him. In 1977, when Punk became the dominant genre in
London, Pink Floyd still continued as a success.
In 1977, the group released Animals. It was loosely based after Orwell’s
novel Animal Farm. The singles were: “Pigs on the Wing” and “Sheep.” By
this time, Pink Floyd had become huge. They were playing in sold out
stadiums with fans reaching into the 100,000s. The band, however, did
not like this. Waters, especially, felt alienated from the fans. In
November 1979, Pink Floyd released The Wall. They had their first hit
single in eleven years. The album sold 340,000 records in the UK in the
first five weeks alone. The single, “Another Brick in the Wall,” went
straight to number one. The cd was based on Orwell’s concept of 1984 and
the future. Waters saw the potential of an amazing live show with this
album. The group spent a lot of money in order to produce an extravagant
concert. The show was first performed in NY and then LA in February
1980. It was then performed in London in August of that year. In 1982,
Pink Floyd released a film along the same concept. It did not do well.
Too many people found it disturbing and depressing. The Wall grossed
over ten million pounds in three months. In 1979, Wright left the band.
He felt Waters had become too dominant.
In 1981, the group released a compilation cd entitled, A Collection of
Great Dance Songs. The cd did terrible. It barely made it to the top
forty. In march of 1983, they released The Final Cut. It was the first
cd to ever use the holographic technique. It also did badly. Only 3
million copies were sold. The band, at this point, was feuding. By 1984,
many of the members were doing solo projects. Roger Waters released The
Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking. The album reached the top twenties. It
made a lot of media buzz due to the fact it featured artists such as
Eric Clapton. Waters announced that he was officially leaving Pink Floyd.
In 1987, the group released A Momentary Lapse of Reason. Soon
afterwards they embarked on a 200 concert tour which last from September
1987 to September 1988. They then released their live album entitled
The Delicate Sound of Thunder.
In 1990, pink Floyd performed a massive show at Knebworth. They were
supported by artists such as Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Elton John,
Cliff Richard, Tears for Fears, Status Quo, Genesis, and Jimmy Page.
They also performed ‘The Wall” in front of the remains of the Berlin
Wall. Although there was massive media coverage, the concert failed to
earn a profit. In 1994, Pink Floyd released The Division Bell. They were
criticized for copying Irish band, U2. Although criticized, the album
also received praise. Wright came back to the group, and they toured
once more. The tour featured a very expensive lights show. The album was
followed by the release of Pulse. The album, which was live, was
packaged with flashing lights on the cover. It was claimed that the
lights would last six months.
Bio written by: bandhunt |
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