A generation went into mourning on Sunday when the iconic rock n’ roll group Pink Floyd announced – for the final time – that they were breaking up. For good.
Yes, Pink Floyd fans (many of whom were around when the band first became a thing, back in the 1960s’) will no longer get to see the band in action again – which was an inevitable outcome anyway, considering that two founding members of Pink Floyd are dead. Syd Barrett died in 2006, and Rick Wright in 2008, and the only founding member left in the band is Nick Mason.
Of course, no one really expected the band to “get back together”, considering they’d been out of action for 20 years – until they reunited (seemingly for the last time) when David Gilmour and Nick Mason reconvened for The Endless River last year.
In an interview with Classic Rock Magazine, Gilmour confirmed what every fan probably already knew in their heart of hearts, but still didn’t want to believe – Pink Floyd is done.
I’ve had 48 years in Pink Floyd – quite a few of those years at the beginning, with Roger [Waters]. And those years in what is now considered to be our heyday were 95% musically fulfilling and joyous and full of fun and laughter. I certainly don’t want to let the other 5% colour my view of what was a long and fantastic time together. But it has run its course, we are done – and it would be fakery to go back and do it again.
Obviously I accept there are people who want to go and see and hear this legend that was Pink Floyd, but I’m afraid that’s not my responsibility. To me, it’s just two words that tie together the work that four people did together. It’s just a pop group. I don’t need it. I don’t need to go there.
– David Gilmour to Classic Rock Magazine
Obviously, true Pink Floyd fans will know this was just a matter of time – the band hasn’t really existed since 1994’s The Division Bell when the band took a 20-year-long hiatus, before The Endless River last year. Fans, in fact, were pleasantly surprised when Pink Floyd got together for the Live 8 global awareness event. The reason hopes were raised was because even at that time Gilmour had said the band had no plans of reuniting – but then, eventually did in 2014.
Gilmour, however, has put an emotional spin on it by saying that “doing it without Rick would be wrong”.
To do it without Rick would just be wrong. I absolutely don’t want to go back. I don’t want to go and play stadiums... under the [Pink Floyd] banner. I’m free to do exactly what I want to do and how I want to do it.
– David Gilmour to Classic Rock Magazine
And that’s exactly what he’s going to do. Fans can now look forward to the release of Glimour’s new solo album, Rattle That Lock next year. His fellow bandmate Roger Waters is also planning a new album and tour.
Pink Floyd was formed in 1965 and went on to inspire generations with iconic numbers such as The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.
Take a look at some old photos of the band which will make your heart melt – as also have you reach for your old CD...
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