- UK band formed in 1965 by Syd Barrett (vocals and guitar), Roger Waters (vocals and bass), Richard Wright (vocals and keyboards) and Nick Mason (drums). David Gilmour (vocals and guitar) joined in 1967, as Barrett’s mental health deteriorated due to heavy drug usage.
- Barrett only participated in their first album – The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, and one track from their second album, Jugband Blues. He left the band in 1968.
- The thematic albums of the 70’s were created under the creative leadership of Roger Waters, though the other band members made significant contributions. They constantly battled over the creation of their music, especially Waters and Gilmour. Ultimately, Waters left the band, though he still tours and plays the Pink Floyd catalog extensively. By the mid-1980’s, Gilmour became the face of Pink Floyd, using the band name for new albums and touring extensively.
- Rolling Stone magazine ranked them the #2 Progressive Rock band of all time, and Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here were ranked the #1 and #4 Progressive Rock Albums of all time respectively.
- When I was in college in 1979/1980, you could walk through the dormitory and hear The Wall being played somewhere in the building 24 hours a day.
- Dark Side of the Moon has sold over 45 million copies worldwide, making it the second largest selling album of all time. It was on the Billboard Top 100 album list for over 14 years!
- Roger Waters and David Gilmour continue to perform concerts regularly (though separately). Nick Mason has played the drums at concerts for both of them.
- Syd Barrett died of cancer in 2006, aged 60. Richard Wright died of cancer in 2008, aged 65.
- A total of 15 studio albums were released under the Pink Floyd band name.
- Pink Floyd was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
- Pink Floyd concerts are famous for being visual spectacles. See this clip of my favorite Pink Floyd song, Comfortably Numb.