Posted by Johnboy at 118-pool9.ras11.calan-i.tii-dial.net on June 18, 2002 at 12:28:35:
In Reply to: Roger Waters isn't the insane one... posted by Isis on June 18, 2002 at 12:15:57:
Being the honkin', raving Floyd nut that I am, I'm well aware of this. But I'm pleased to see that the younger peeps are also aware of it.
Syd went crazy long ago and the modern Floyd developed without him. The stories about Syd showing up at the sessions for Wish You Were Here are well documented on the Internet - no need to get into it here.
Originally the Floyd were a quartet with no one designated "lead singer" or whatever. Check the credits on Dark Side - they're all listed for most songs. Or watch Live at Pompeii - they all sing.
Roger's selfishness led him to believe that he was responsible for ALL of the band's success. While I love The Wall, I can't imagine it without Gilmour's guitars or Wright's keys. Mason't drum work was good, plus (I can't prove this, but I allege it) I think he did a good job keeping everyone working together. They all worked on the arrangement and sound effects. Try to imagine The Wall done "Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking" style. Shoot, even Eric Clapton couldn't make that album a hit.
My point being, Pink Floyd did best when they were, and recognized themselves as, a GROUP. Of four guys. All of whom contributed something special. And I'd like to see it again.
On the touring thing: The Floyd's contract said that, if one member left, the remaining group was still the Pink Floyd. Roger knew that when he signed it. That he later regretted it changed nothing.
John
: Syd Barrett, the original frontman, is. He led the band in its early psychedelic heyday, but eventually too much LSD combined with existing mental problems led to him fritzing out. Waters led the band throughout their most popular period and most of his early albums with PF are about Syd going crazy -- Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, the Wall, etc.
: The reason why Roger and company won't get back together is that he's still miffed they went off and got another singer (David Gilmore) and then continued to tour as Pink Floyd. Plus, it's hard to have a band with two singers. I don't recall why he split from them in the first place. Vincent could tell you if he wasn't sitting with his feet in concrete boots at the bottom of the Hudson for stiffing Kevin on his loans.
: On a side note, my theory is that the synchronicity of Dark Side of the Moon and the Wizard of Oz is a deliberate attempt by Pink Floyd to communicate with Syd Barrett (whom, they say, doesn't even seem to recognize them). No better way to get into the mind of an acid burnout then to combine visuals with music.
:
: : ...Pink Floyd could get back together and make beautiful and insightful music again.
: : OK, not FULLY cured of insanity...he needs SOME to come up with those lyrics. Let's just say, bring the voices in his head down to a dull roar.
: : John