(1st Wave) - PINK FLOYD

PINK FLOYD - England (1967)
PSYCHEDELIC & SPACE ROCK

PINK FLOYD is not simply one of the progenitors of progressive rock, but is probably the most popular group in the entire genre. The band’s name (chosen by original founder/lyricist Syd Barrett) refers to the first names of two bluesmen (PINK Anderson and FLOYD Council), and the joining of the two names is translated into English as “Pink Flamingo.” The first line-up consisted of guitarist/vocalist Syd Barrett, bass player/vocalist Roger Waters (who left the group in 1983), drummer Nick Mason and keyboard player Rick Wright. Guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour (who was partly responsible for the group's change of direction) joined PINK FLOYD in 1968. Four months later, Syd Barrett left the group to play in solo career then to disappear from the public eye. The band originally formed in the mid-1960s during the “psychedelic” rock period, but then helped to develop what we now know as “progressive rock” – and particularly “space rock” – through the use of sound textures, effects, and emerging recording studio tricks and techniques.

It is necessary to distinguish three great periods in the career of the group:

o 1967-1971 : psychedeic progressive music, space rock and very cosmic

o 1972-1984 : music mixing rock, symphonics, and darker progressive, starting with "Animals" (77)

o 1987-1995 : David Gilmour's period (or "The post Waters, David Gilmour led period", as he was of course in the band prior to this), which produced more commercial progressive music while still keeping very melodic and symphonic aspects.

Personally, I have always believed that PINK FLOYD is an overrated group. They have some good albums, but also some very average albums. For me, PINK FLOYD is not as good as GENESIS or JETHRO TULL, yet they are undoubtedly more popular, better recognized, and more respected by the masses and critics. “Dark Side Of The Moon” is one of PINK FLOYD’s more famous albums, and was a big turning point in their career. They established many more fans after releasing the album, and became literally exhausted for quite a while. All together, they have sold over 140 million records worldwide, perhaps earning them the title of being one of the best classic rock bands of the latest century.

IN MEMORIAM:

Syd Barrett (1946-2006)

Singer/songwriter/guitarist, died July 7, born January, 1946

Roger "Syd" Barrett, co-founded the seminal psychedelic rock band PINK FLOYD, has died at the age of 60 from complications related to diabetes. The guitarist/vocalist was the architect of PINK FLOYD's influential early sound. He was an inspiration to many people...

"Shine on Roger... Shine on you cray diamond"

DISCOGRAPHY:
The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (1967) / A Saucerful Of Secrets (1968) / More O.S.T. (1969) / Ummagumma (1969) / Atom Heart Mother (1970) / Meddle (1971) / Relics (1971) / Obscured By Clouds OST (1972) / Dark Side Of The Moon (1973) / Masters Of Rock Vol. 1 (1974) / Wish You Were Here (1975) / Animals (1977) / The Wall (1979) / A Collection Of Great Dance Songs (1981) / The Final Cut (1983) - Works (1983) / A Momentary Lapse Of Reason (1987) / The Delicate Sound Of Thunder (1988) / Shine On (1992) / Division Bell (1994) / P-U-L-S-E (1995) / Is There Anybody Out There? (2000) / Echoes - The Best Of Pink Floyd (2001) / Dark Side Of The Moon (30th anniversary edition) (2003)

BEST ALBUMS:
The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (67), Meddle (71), Dark Side Of The Moon (73), Wish You Were Here (75), Animals (77), The Wall (79)