Pink Floyd was a legendary British band that played psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and art rock. One of the most popular rock bands in the history of the genre. The band has sold more than 300 million records worldwide. In the U.S. by the number of sold albums Pink Floyd is in 7th place.
The band was founded in 1965 in London by classmates Richard Wright, Nick Mason, Roger Watres and their friend from Cambridge, Sid Barrett. The name Pink Floyd is made up of the names of two bluesmen, Pink Anderson and Floyd Cauncil. Originally the band was called The Pink Floyd, but after 1970 the article was removed from the name. It is worth noting that before Pink Floyd, the band changed many other names, among which are The Tea Set, The Pink Floyd Sound.
The foundations of the band’s formation were laid back in 1963, when Mason and Waters joined the band of Cliff Metcalfe and Keith Noble. Wright soon joined them as well. Rehearsals were held at Mason and Waters’ apartment. Bob Close soon joined the band, and Metcalfe and Noble left it. In 1963 Roger’s buddy Sid Barrett came to London and joined the band. In 1964 Sid changes the name of the band from Tea Set to The Pink Floyd Sound, because they were playing together with the other Tea Sets at one of their concerts. Chris Dennis was the lead singer for a while, and after his departure Barrett took his place.
In December 1964, thanks to Wright’s connections, the Pink Floyd band got into the recording studio. During the break 4 songs were recorded – a cover of I’m A King Bee, and 3 Sid songs – Lucy Leave, Butterfly and Double O Bo. During this time, the band performs at the Countdown Club and participates in Ready Steady Go! In 1965, Close leaves the band.
Pink Floyd’s first recordings
In January 1967, the first pro recordings took place on Polydor.Pink Floyd at this time is signed to EMI and singles are released on this label. March 11th the single Arnold Lane / Candy And A Currant Bun was released and reached the 20th place in the chart.
But the success turned Syd Barrett’s head, and due to a drug addiction, David Gilmore joins the band after disrupting concerts in January. At first it was planned that Sid would continue to write songs, but it did not lead to anything good. Syd began to lead a reclusive lifestyle, occasionally releasing songbooks. During the following time Pink Floyd and Barrett met only once. In 1968, the band released their second album with only one song of his on it.
In 1969 Pink Floyd recorded the soundtrack to the movie More and the album Ummagumma, which contained a live performance by the band. The album hit the U.S. charts, reaching #70 and becoming #5 in Britain.
Pink Floyd continued to record albums every year. So in 1970 “Atom Heart Mother” was released with a 20-minute title track. The longplay was the first in Britain.