Genres: Psychedelic Rock

Pink Floyd was formed from a band called the Abdabs that consisted of Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Rick Wright. The Abdabs played rhythm and blues, which was acceptable for white English bands. Syd Barrett joined the band later and contributed to their sound in a psychedelic manner. They changed their name to the Pink Floyd Sound, and eventually to Pink Floyd, after two of Barrett's favorite bluesmen, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. This began a psychedelic revolution in London that mimmicked what was happening in San Francisco. Under Barrett's leadership, they released such top ten singles as "See Emily Play" and "Arnold Lane", which were on the album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Barrett had assumed the roll of the main songwriter, but psychedelic drugs were taking their toll on him. The band brought in a young guitarist named David Gilmour. Gilmour was initially hired to supplement Barrett's guitar playing, after Barrett had been too inhibriated to play at a couple of gigs. But, eventually, Barrett was phased out all together, due to his mental breakdown after taking too much LSD. Barrett was soon institutionalized, and Gilmour became a full member of Pink Floyd. Roger Waters then took control of Floyd. He gave the band a new feel, using the band as his outlet for his childhood angst and other problems he had experienced with his life. As much as he changed the sound of the band, there was still the obvious influence of Barrett over him. The next album (minus Barrett) was Ummagumma, which was still very psychedelic and contained songs such as "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" and "Careful With That Axe, Eugene." It was a double-album, and was unusual because two sides were live and two sides were studio recordings. Each album side was to represent a different member of the band. Atom Heart Mother would be there next album in 1970. It was a slight departure from the experimental Ummagumma. It was still psychedelic, but a lot less self-indulgent. In 1973 Floyd released Dark Side of the Moon, which was their first concept album. Dark Side would be Floyd's defining album, growing to such immense popularity it still goes gold almost every year. In 1975, Pink Floyd released Wish You Were Here. This album featured the song "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", which is Pink Floyd's salute to Syd Barrett. "Have a Cigar" is a jab at the music industry and its manipulation of artists. Animals was released in 1977, and was Waters' criticism of society, comparing people to either sheep, pigs or dogs. The Wall followed in 1980, and was Roger Waters trademark album. In the wall, Waters explores his childhood, the loss of his father which forced his over-protective mother to raise him alone, and his detachment from his audience. The album was the soundtrack to the acclaimed motion picture, also written by Waters, and became a monster, spinning such hits as "Comfortably Numb" and "Another Brick In the Wall, Part I". Floyd supported the album with such a tremendous tour that they could only afford to do it in a few select cities, New York and Los Angeles being the only two in the United States. The band were now experiencing creative difficulty between members, however, and Rick Wright left the band after the tour. Next, Floyd released The Final Cut, which, coincidentally, would be Water's last album with the band. After enduring years of bickering about creative and other differences amongst the band, Waters left, thinking that they would not be able to carry on without him. He was wrong, and Gilmour and Mason began making their next album, entitled A Momentary Lapse of Reason. Waters tried to make it impossible for the band to continue without him, which resulted in a highly public court battle that resulted in nothing. Floyd continued on, and Waters launched a solo career. Floyd invited Wright to rejoin too late for the studio recording, but he went on tour with them and enjoyed the success of the album. It produced such hits as "Learning to Fly" and "On the Turning Away". This particular album has a much lighter and brighter feel to it, compared to the dark subjects that Floyd is usually associated with. In the 90's, Floyd released The Division Bell, another great album, which launched "Keep Talking" and the beautifully haunting "Marooned", which focuses on Gilmour's masterful guitar work. There are always rumours floating that Floyd will tour again, but it doesn't seem likely. They have already gone down in history as one of the best and most influential rock bands of all time.