Friday, May 29, 2015

Pink Floyd members reunite to mark 50th anniversary



Pink Floyd founding members Roger Waters and Nick Mason reunited on Thursday in London to mark the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation.

The pair were on hand to unveil a commemorative plaque which has been installed onto the front of the University of Westminster – formerly known as the Regent Street Polytechnic.

It was at the school that Waters, Mason and Richard Wright met as architecture students that soon began playing together; after some name and lineup changes, they teamed with guitarist Syd Barrett to form Pink Floyd in early 1965.

The commemorative plaque reads: “Pink Floyd. Between 1962-1966, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Richard Wright studied at the Regent Street Polytechnic where they formed the band.”

“We are hugely gratified to be here and to have the plaque,” said Waters. “It’s an honor.”

“Living as a student was a fantastic way to live,” recalled Mason. “Although I’d like to see more government grants introduced. I spent my grant on curry, I think, mainly. But sensible people need the money in order to further their education and study.”

“I spent mine on bass guitars,” added Waters. “I used to be freezing in my dorms.”

Longtime guitarist David Gilmour was not at the London ceremony on Thursday as he joined the group in December 1967 after their school years ended. Gilmour eventually replaced Barrett after the singer became difficult to deal with due to an increasing use of psychedelic drugs.

Last November, Pink Floyd released their final album, “The Endless River.”

The project features material recorded by Gilmour, Wright and Mason during sessions for 1994’s “The Division Bell.”

The album serves as the band’s tribute to Wright, who died from cancer in 2008 at the age of 65.




See also:

Roger Waters to headline Newport Folk Festival
VIDEO: Alice In Chains guitarist performs Pink Floyd classic
Roger Waters The Wall coming to cinemas
Roger Waters to reissue Amused To Death
Search Pink Floyd at hennemusic