Questions
When and where was Pink Floyd formed?
Pink Floyd was established in London in 1965. They became one of the most commercially successful and influential rock bands in history.
Where did the name Pink Floyd come from?
Founder Syd Barrett created the name from two American blues musicians whose records he owned, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Barrett reportedly came up with it on the spot after learning another local band was already called the Tea Set.
Who were the members of Pink Floyd?
The core members were Syd Barrett (guitar, vocals), Roger Waters (bass, vocals), Nick Mason (drums), Richard Wright (keyboards), and David Gilmour (guitar), who joined in late 1967. Barrett left in 1968 and Gilmour became the main guitarist.
What happened to Syd Barrett?
Barrett’s mental health declined rapidly in 1967 and 1968, reportedly connected to heavy LSD use, and Mason recalled him as completely distanced from everything going on. The band eventually stopped picking him up for shows, which effectively ended his time in the group.
Did Syd Barrett ever come back?
He made a surprise studio visit during the Wish You Were Here sessions in 1975, and the band reportedly did not recognize him at first because his appearance had changed so much. That album’s song Shine On You Crazy Diamond is associated with Barrett.
How big is The Dark Side of the Moon?
Released in 1973, it is one of the best-selling albums of all time with more than 45 million copies sold worldwide. It spent an astonishing 364 weeks on the UK charts.
What is the story behind the famous prism album cover?
The Dark Side of the Moon cover, with a beam of light refracting through a prism, was designed by the studio Hipgnosis with artwork by George Hardie. It has become one of the most recognizable images in rock.
What is the deal with the flying pig?
Pink Floyd used a giant inflatable pig, famously tied to the 1977 album Animals and its tour. After Roger Waters left, he and the band feuded over rights to the pig, and the band reportedly attached male genitalia to the underside of their version to distinguish it from his.
Why did the band and Roger Waters end up in a legal fight?
After Waters left in 1985 he went to court to try to stop the others from using the Pink Floyd name, calling them a spent force creatively. A 1988 agreement let Gilmour and Mason keep the Pink Floyd name while Waters got exclusive rights to The Wall.
Did the band members really not get along during The Wall?
Tensions were extreme during the 1980 to 1981 tour. Their trailers were reportedly parked in a circle with the doors facing outward so the members would not have to face one another, and Waters stayed in separate hotels.
Did The Wall tour actually make money?
No. Despite the album’s huge success, the tour reportedly lost around 600,000 dollars, and Richard Wright, who had been pushed out of the band and rejoined as a paid musician, was the only member who profited from it.
How long did Pink Floyd go without a hit single?
After See Emily Play in 1967, the band did not have another successful single until Money in 1973, a gap of roughly six years even as their albums sold enormously.
How many records has Pink Floyd sold?
The band has sold more than 250 million records worldwide, ranking them among the best-selling music artists of all time.
Did the classic lineup ever reunite?
Yes. In 2005 the surviving members Waters, Gilmour, Mason, and Wright reunited to perform at Live 8, their first performance together since 1981.
What major honors has Pink Floyd received?
Pink Floyd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2008 they received the Polar Music Prize for their monumental contribution to the fusion of art and music.
