Just saying the name Pink Floyd brings back deep memories for most of us. Certainly, the British group with 360 million albums sold has influenced an impressive number of artists and remains one of the most famous of all time with their fifteen albums, including the famous The Dark Side of the Moon.
While the group celebrated the 50th anniversary of their album last year The Dark Side of the Moonhere is a new biography that has just been published. But make no mistake, it is not an autobiography, contrary to appearances, even if Pink Floyd by Pink Floyd – The Complete Story is full of interviews given to the British media by members of the legendary group over time.
But this does not detract from the book’s interest, especially since some of the interviews date back to Pink Floyd’s early days on the music scene, and there are also many photos, some of which are rarely published.
The history of Pink Floyd is long, but it is not boring since it is full of twists and turns.
The adventure that began in 1965 could seem, at the beginning, very ordinary: four young Londoners, architecture students, who dreamed of making music like the Beatles.
But no one could have predicted their longevity. No doubt, their musical evolution contributed to it, starting with psychedelic music, going to progressive rock to experimental rock to art rock. But for others, it was their philosophical lyrics that allowed them to stand out from the crowd.
Courtesy Pink Floyd Music Ltd
From humble beginnings
Very humbly, the band composed of Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Rick Wright and Nick Mason, originally named The Cambridge, first performed in church halls. Success was not there.
Initially, Pink Floyd co-founder and singer-songwriter Syd Barrett was considered the band’s frontman, largely for his talent. He was unfortunately shown the door in 1968 due to his heavy LSD use. He then had a brief solo career before dying of cancer at the age of 60.
After Syd’s departure, Roger Waters, another co-founder of the group, gradually took over as leader and wrote many songs.
Guitarist David Gilmour, meanwhile, was a lonely child, abandoned by his parents who placed him in boarding school while they travelled to the United States on business. He apparently suffered from loneliness, it is reported.
As for Nick Mason, he remains present without making a scandal. Two passions drive him: music and car racing.
Courtesy
If the group’s beginnings were modest, its consecration came in 1973 with The Dark Side of the Moontheir greatest critical and commercial success, which gave them international recognition.
For the band, the concept of the album touched on mental illness. The Dark Side of the Moon It was also intended as a tribute to Syd Barrett, who suffered from the side effects of his drug use. It also touched on all the ills that afflict the human mind.
Conflict and division
As with most bands, there will be conflicts that lead to breakups. Several other members will join the band, some of them short-lived.
In 1985, Roger Waters slammed the door. He was apparently the mastermind behind The Dark Side of the Moon. In addition, Roger Waters is said to have written almost the entire album. The Wall After which he wanted a bigger slice of the pie, which was not unanimously accepted. This was followed by a major legal dispute over the band’s songs and copyrights that would last two years.
David Gilmour will then take over as writer.
The Endless River will be released in 2014. It will be Pink Floyd’s final album, which is also intended as a tribute to the late keyboardist Richard Wright, who died in 2008.
Rock & Folk Editions
Pink Floyd by Pink Floyd – The Complete Story
Collective
Rock & folk Editions,
144 pages / Large illustrated format
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