Phenomenally successful experimental Rock band PINK FLOYD have evolved from a bunch of 60s Psychedelic Art Rock exponents to global superstars, peddling what many view as corporate Stadium Rock. Ironically, despite their stature the individual musicians in PINK FLOYD remain virtually anonymous.

Formed in 1965 by bass player ROGER WATERS, keyboard player RICK WRIGHT and drummer Nick Mason as THE SCREAMING ABDABS together with bassist Clive Metcalfe and vocalists Juliette Gale and Keith Noble. The band added SYD BARRETT in 1965 as they evolved into PINK FLOYD, taking their name from an amalgam of Floyd District Council and Blues player Pink Anderson. The band at first concentrated on straight R&B numbers before drastically altering their approach to encompass the heady world of London Psychedelia. PINK FLOYD were in fact support act for THE BEATLES' first ever European tour.

Their debut single, 'Arnold Layne', (about a transvestite underwear thief) was recorded prior to the band signing with EMI. The single reached number 20 in the British charts and set the path for the follow up, 'See Emily Play', which topped its predecessor attaining a number 6 position. The two hit singles were commercially accessible, but PINK FLOYD took a huge gamble with their 1967 debut album 'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn'. Mainly structured by Barrett, the album was a bizarre display of freeform experimentation.

PINK FLOYD's errant genius Barrett soon began proving extremely erratic during gigs and the band's reputation was starting to suffer. The next single and chart flop in 'Apples And Oranges' did little to help Barrett's increasing drug reliance.

Guitarist DAVID GILMOUR was added to augment Barrett in 1968 and the band briefly maintained a five piece line-up. However, by March 1968 Barrett upped and left, taking the band's management team with him. Barrett was to release two solo albums before completely retiring from the music business.

A fourth single, 'It Would Be So Nice', also made no impression on the charts, but undeterred the band recorded a second album, 'A Saucerful Of Secrets', with Waters taking over the role as main songwriter. From this point on PINK FLOYD aimed themselves squarely at the album buying market, although their next release, the soundtrack to the Barbet Scroeder movie 'More' was a strange way to maintain this direction.

The band got back on course with the release of the double album 'Ummagumma' towards the end of 1969. This album included what was virtually solo material from each individual band member alongside more inspiring workouts, such as live versions of 'Saucerful Of Secrets' and 'Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun'. PINK FLOYD then involved themselves in another movie soundtrack for 'Zabriskie Point', but the scheduled full album emerged as a mere three tracks in early 1970. The band's next album, 'Atom Heart Mother', was the one to set them on the road to megaband status. The title track occupied the entire first side and featured a 40 piece orchestra. The album debuted at number 1.

PINK FLOYD took a step back from recording and live work after promoting 'Atom Heart Mother' and in this down period EMI kept the momentum going with the issue of the compilation 'Relics', which included a previously unreleased track in 'Biding My Time'.

The 'Meddle' album came out in late 1971 and once more captured the band at their most extravagant, with the side length 'Echoes'. PINK FLOYD then embarked on another Barbet Scroeder film soundtrack for 'Obscured By Clouds'. Strangely, the opening 'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn' album had not been released in Italy, and when it did arrive in 1971 it would be clad in a unique sleeve, wrongly depicting DAVID GILMOUR and not SYD BARRETT.

The band's next release would prove to be their trademark album. 'Dark Side Of The Moon' was a phenomenal world-wide success. The album stayed in the American top 200 charts for a record breaking 741 weeks, racking up sales in America alone of over 14 million copies. It would also rank as the longest running album presence in the New Zealand and Australian charts at 140 weeks. The band were expecting a healthy return on the album, but none had envisaged the colossal scale of that reward. 'Dark Side Of The Moon' is undoubtedly a true classic, but some have argued that its release coincided with the expansion of technological hi-fi set ups for domestic use, 'Dark Side Of The Moon' providing the perfect vehicle to show off the new hi-fi's capabilities. The music was hung around narrative quotes delivered by Abbey Road studios doorman Jerry Driscoll. PAUL McCARTNEY was also quizzed for intended use on the album but his quotes were not used. Interestingly, in the 90s some were to claim that the album was recorded in perfect sync with the classic Judy Garland movie 'The Wizard Of Oz'. An interesting theory, but rather ludicrous.

The follow up didn't emerge for a full two and a half years. Nevertheless, 'Wish You Were Here', released in September 1973, notched up a commendable 11 million sales. The most well known track, 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond', was the focus for a bizarre coincidence. A song written directly about ex member, and by now virtual recluse, SYD BARRETT, was interrupted during recording by a corpulent figure. Amazed, the band took a while to realise this was Barrett himself.

DAVID GILMOUR took time out in 1974 to work with his old friend and Folk legend ROY HARPER, featuring in his band assembled for the Hyde Park festival that year alongside band mates JOHN PAUL JONES of LED ZEPPELIN and Steve Broughton. Gilmour also guested on the track 'The Game' on ROY HARPER's 1975 'HQ' album, both bands sharing the same studio facilities as 'Wish You Were Here' was being crafted. Continuing the association, PINK FLOYD's solitary British gig of 1975, the Knebworth Festival, witnessed Harper joining the band on stage for 'Have A Cigar'.

PINK FLOYD took another lengthy step back from the spotlight up until the 'Animals' album of January 1977. For the world tour they added a second live guitarist in former AL STEWART and COCKNEY REBEL man SNOWY WHITE, later to join THIN LIZZY. PINK FLOYD was now a massive American concert attraction, able to fill the gigantic stadia with consummate ease. Elaborate stage shows were now their forte and handled by their unseen fifth member, Mick Lowe. However, controversy reigned when at the final concert of the 1977 tour Waters spat into the face of a fan. The year would end on a sour note for Nick Mason too. Embroiling himself in the new wave of Punk the drummer opted to act as producer for rising stars THE DAMNED. The group had made significant headway in the charts with their debut but the Mason produced 'Music For Pleasure' would be roundly castigated by both media and fans of THE DAMNED alike. So bitter was the backlash the album failed to chart.

In a period of hiatus for the band DAVID GILMOUR issued his eponymous solo debut in 1978. The studio rhythm section for this opus comprised recorded bassist Rick Wills and drummer Willie Wilson, both subsequently to join the touring personnel of PINK FLOYD.

With these minor upsets behind them, 1979's 'The Wall' gave PINK FLOYD yet another blockbuster. Rumours flew in the press that the band cut the album only reluctantly in order to stave off a large tax bill. Whatever the reasoning 'The Wall' would find PINK FLOYD, and in particular ROGER WATERS, at a creative zenith. By now the lyrical and musical reins were held firmly by Waters and 'The Wall' was virtually autobiographical. Wright and Mason did not even receive a credit on the album.

An elaborate film was conceived around the album starring BOOMTOWN RATS vocalist BOB GELDOF with animations from Gerald Scarfe. The combination of film and album saw record sales soar and reach even dizzier heights when backed up with an enormous touring stageshow. PINK FLOYD even broke back into the singles market with 'Another Brick In The Wall' scaling the heights of British number 1. There were many rumours that 'The Wall' was conceived as a desperately needed cash injection, required to plug an awning gap left by the collapse of PINK FLOYD's investment company Norton Warbugh. If it was it filled the hole amply. 'The Wall' went on to sell 13 million copies plus.

PINK FLOYD crafted 'The Final Cut' between July and December 1982. Every song was credited to Roger Waters alone and Rick Wright did not put in an appearance, having been dismissed by Waters during 'The Wall' sessions. Keyboards were performed by Andy Bown and Michael Kamen. Waters dominance was such that the rear sleeve credit reads "The Final Cut: A Requiem for the Post-War Dream - by Roger Waters, performed by Pink Floyd".

'The Final Cut', issued in March 1983, did not reap quite the rewards of its illustrious predecessors, despite hitting the UK number 1 spot and selling just over 3 million albums including less than a million of those in America. 'The Final Cut' was in essence a sequel to 'The Wall' combining a continuation of Waters self analysis of his father's role and what many to believed to be strong anti war sentiments directed at the protaganists of the Falklands war. It's overall bleakness stalled any hopes of repeating the commercial success of its predecessor. The band personnel split after its release.

In 1984 ROGER WATERS released his first acclaimed solo album 'The Pros And Cons Of Hitch-hiking' and toured with a band including guitarist ERIC CLAPTON. Mason and Gilmour recorded a 1985 single 'Lie For A Lie' with ex-10CC guitarist Rick Fenn as a side project. That December Waters announced he was leaving the band. The following year internal matters became ugly as legal documents flew between Waters and Gilmour over use of the band name, a battle Gilmour and Mason won. in exchange for relinquishing the rights to the band title, Waters was granted exclusive use of certain Floyd associated imagery, such as the flying pig, much of 'The Wall' iconography and all 'The Final Cut' images.

Gilmour reconstructed PINK FLOYD for September 1987's 'A Momentary Lapse Of Reason'. However, Gilmour was to reveal in later years that these sessions, commencing in October 1986, were initially constructed as an intended solo album. This album achieved no. 3 placings on the charts in both the UK and the USA. The album remained on the US charts for over a year.Storm Thorgerson photographed the album cover, a collection of over 700 iron hospital beds on Saunton Sands beach in Devon.

Contributing to the sessions would be co-producer Bob Ezrin, keyboard player Jon Carin, the PETER GABRIEL and KING CRIMSON credited bassist Tony Levin, and a return for Rick Wright. Carmine Appice of VANILLA FUDGE put down drums on 'The Dogs Of War'. Drums on both 'On The Turning Away' and 'One Slip' were performed by Jim Keltner. Two singles, 'Learning To Fly' and 'On The Turning Away', both scored radio success.

For the live band the elaborate stage show was bolstered by former ICEHOUSE bassist Guy Pratt and guitarist Tim Renwick. The world tour was originally planned for a short 11 week run, starting at London's Wembley Stadium, cutting across the United States Of America, and finishing back again at Wembley. However, the US trek was initiated on 9th September 1987 at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, Canada, and finally closed at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada on 10th December 1987. PINK FLOYD then re-opened proceedings at Western Springs in Auckland, New Zealand on 23rd January 1988 and journeyed through until the Nassau Coliseum, Long Island on 23rd August 1988. In the spring of 1989 the band undertook another European leg of the tour, branded 'Another Lapse'.

ROGER WATERS would find himself with a loyal cult audience but dwindling album sales as PINK FLOYD once more cruised into the arenas and the record books. Fans were also rewarded with the double live set 'A Delicate Sound Of Thunder'.

In January 1993 Gilmour, Mason, Wright and Guy Pratt convened at Brittania Row studios to formulate tracks for the next PINK FLOYD album. March 1994's 'The Division Bell', was the band's first new studio outing in over seven years. Fans of the band noted the welcome return of RICK WRIGHT as a full band member for this release, the keyboard player penning nearly half of the songs that comprised the album and also contributing a lead vocal, on 'Wearing The Inside Out', his first since 'Wish You Were Here'. PINK FLOYD scored their first Grammy award, the track 'Marooned' winning the category of 'Best Rock Instrumental Performance' at the Grammy Awards of 1995.

The album title was chosen by Gilmour's friend, 'The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy' author Douglas Adams. Gilmour, Mason and Wright had been unable to settle on a title, with 'Down To Earth' and 'Pow Wow' both in the running, Adams offered to provide the title on condition the band donate £25,000 to the Save the Rhino foundation. 'The Division Bell' is the instrument rung in the British House of Commons to signal the commencement of a vote by Members of Parliament. The album cover showed two sculpted three metre high metal heads sculpted by Storm Thorgerson. Ely Cathedral is visible between the mouths.

'The Division Bell' topped charts globally with consummate ease, retaining the US no. 1 position for four weeks, and triggered a mammoth world tour that saw a live set complete rendition of 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' spawning the elaborately packaged (complete with a real pulsing light) live album 'Pulse'. Featured musicians on the tour, besides the Gilmour, Wright and Mason axis, would be guitarist Tim Renwick, bass player Guy Pratt and keyboard player Jon Carin.

PINK FLOYD found themselves unexpectedly back in the UK top 10 in early 2004 after camp American band THE SCISSOR SISTERS recorded a disco version of 'Comfortably Numb'. DAVID GILMOUR would also be in the news after he donated the £3.6 million proceeds of his house to a homeless charity Crisis.

Over two decades of PINK FLOYD bitterness would be laid to rest in 2005 when ROGER WATERS, DAVID GILMOUR, RICK WRIGHT and Nick Mason reunited to appear at Bob Geldof's 2nd July 'Live 8' London charity concert for Africa. This event, designated by much of the world's media as the musical highlight of the entire day, marked their first public performance since they last played at London's Earls Court in 1981. Poignantly, the slogan 'No More Excuses' topped the stage throughout the band's four song set. Such an historic performance saw PINK FLOYD album sales rise dramatically. Gilmour was quick to announce that the extra royalties he received would be donated to charity.

To mark the 25th anniversary of 'The Wall' Cleopatra Records assembled an impressive cast of high repute players on a double disc homage entitled 'Back Against The Wall'. Included would be project co-ordinator Billy Sherwood of YES, Chris Squire, Tony Kaye, STEVE HOWE, RICK WAKEMAN and Alan White of YES, TOTO's Steve Porcaro and guitarist STEVE LUKATHER, Dweezil Zappa, IAN ANDERSON of JETHRO TULL, Adrian Belew and Tony Levin of KING CRIMSON, Jay Schellen of HURRICANE, STEVE MORSE of DEEP PURPLE, Fee Waybill of THE TUBES, GLENN HUGHES, RONNIE MONTROSE and TOMMY SHAW of STYX. Narrating the movie dialogue 'Isn't This Where We Came In?' would be actor Malcolm McDowell.

In September 2005 Gilmour revealed he had donated vocals to a cover version of seminal Punk classic 'Ever Fallen In Love', originally by THE BUZZCOCKS, as a tribute to the late Radio 1 DJ John Peel. Other contributors included LED ZEPPELIN's ROBERT PLANT, THE WHO's ROGER DALTREY, NEW ORDER's Peter Hook and JEFF BECK. Proceeds from the single went to Amnesty International.

DAVID GILMOUR announced a new solo album, co-produced by ROXY MUSIC guitarist Phil Manzanera and entitled 'On An Island', for issue in March 2006. Live dates included shows in Germany, France, Holland, Italy plus a two night stand at London's Royal Albert Hall. North American gigs in April commenced at the Radio City Music Hall in New York on the 4th and 5th. The new record featured contributions from DAVID CROSBY, GRAHAM NASH, JOOLS HOLLAND and PINK FLOYD's RICK WRIGHT. His touring line-up would comprise Wright, guitarist Phil Manzanera, PINK FLOYD credited bassist Guy Pratt, PINK FLOYD live keyboard player Jon Carin and drummer Steve DiStanislao.

On 15th September, 2008, it was announced that RICK WRIGHT had died following a "short struggle with cancer".