Very watchable documentary on the making of the Wish You Were Here album just aired on BBC4 - anyone see it?
Some interesting viewpoints from the band and others. Dave Gilmour's sadness at the fate of Syd Barrett was clear for all to see.
It was also fairly clear that in the main they were being relatively diplomatic, but I couldn't help thinking throughout that Roger Waters comes across as a self-important dick.
Any thoughts?
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the better proframme is the Classic Album series which Sky Arts are showing & recently had Dark Side ......on there
The Floyd to me were always greater than there parts, or the individuals. Like Lennon and McCartney, they fell out, have had success, but the egos got in the way..... Probably something in that Gilmour was brought in to help Syd and the group, and replaced him , and Syd was seen as the creative leader. Probably Waters felt he was painted a villan, who knows. Never convinced that Dave was a saint, and that Roger was only concerned with his 'music'. All I know is that they created some of the most memorable music of the past 50 years, and in the end the music is what they should be judged on....
The thing that really jumped out at me about this WYWH show was how everyone was reflecting on Syd and what could have been. Can't remember seeing them all speaking so openly about that before.
Also, although I bristled at Roger Waters, I did find it interesting that he really didn't like Roy Harper's interpretation of Have a Cigar. I've always been of the opinion that Harper's voice was perfect for the song, so it would be interesting to hear it the way Waters wanted it.
I think the straw that finally brought the camel down was after The Final Cut's release when Waters ego driven power trip reached its peak with his public declaration that he was killing the band off. He viewed himself as the natural successor to its ownership after Barretts departure so believed it was his to end if he so wished. One very bitter, drawn out court battle later and he discovered it wasn't. After making a considerable personal financial risk Gilmore and Mason won the right to continue recording under the Pink Floyd name.
In recent years Waters has acknowledged his poor decision making of the past and his insulting and disrespectful behaviour towards his old band mates but it's all too little too late really. Gilmore particularly loaths him and took a lot of the in-fighting personally which it probably was to be fair.
What i'll never understand is how Waters, clearly a very intelligent and extremely socially aware person allowed himself to be corrupted by the forces of fame, ego, power and wealth in the first place. He's visited these subjects in his music his entire career yet failed to spot the danger signs when it was destroying his own band.
Music by architects for architects as someone once said.
Mellowed a bit with age and quite enjoy Dark Side and a few other cuts.
I don't think it compares with the unique originality of Syd's psychedelic pop though
Pink Floyd are one of the greatest bands in the world.
a walk-on part in a war
for a lead-role in a cage ?"
Brilliant stuff.
At least it has longevity. People talking about it 30 or 40+ years later.
Can't see the same happening with that Shane bloke that won X factor.
Anyway, Ive seen them many times over the years, always put on a show like no others.
The Aussie Floyd aint bad either they are touring this year with their slant on the classics. They played at Gilmours 50th so he must rate them