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In 1978, Pink Floyd experienced a period of significant transformation and individual exploration. David Gilmour released his debut solo album, “David Gilmour,” on May 26, 1978, showcasing his guitar skills and vocal abilities, while Richard Wright released his first solo album, “Wet Dream,” on September 22, 1978. These solo projects allowed Gilmour and Wright to explore their musical identities outside the band. Meanwhile, Roger Waters began conceptualizing “The Wall,” which would become one of Pink Floyd’s most iconic albums. Waters presented two concepts at Britannia Row Studios, with “Bricks in the Wall” laying the groundwork for “The Wall.” The band also faced financial challenges due to negligent investments, adding to the existing tensions within the group.
26 May 1978
David Gilmour’s debut solo album, David Gilmour, was released.
The album featured musicians from David’s pre-Floyd group Jokers Wild, bass guitarist Rick Wills and drummer John ‘Willie’ Wilson. The album was mostly recorded at Super Bear Studios, France, after Pink Floyd’s In The Flesh tour.
See David Gilmour Discography > David Gilmour first solo album and the NME Coverage of the album
July1978
Roger Waters recorded demos for The Wall and Pros and Cons solo album
In July 1978, Roger Waters began demoing ideas for Pink Floyd’s next album, “The Wall,” as well as his own solo project, “The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking,” at Britannia Row Studios. Waters presented two concepts to his bandmates: “Bricks in the Wall,” which would later become “The Wall,” and “The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking,” which was intended as his solo album. After much debate, the band decided to pursue “Bricks in the Wall” as the next Pink Floyd album, while Waters continued with his solo project.
Have a listen to Roger’s original Wall Demos
September 1978
The Wall Characters Come to Life!
Roger Waters began working with artist Gerald Scarfe on The Wall story and characters. He asked Bob Ezrin and James Guthrie to help produce the album.
See high resolution photos of Gerald Scarfe’s Wall Characters and The Artwork of Gerald Scarfe
22 September 1978
Richard Wright’s Wet Dream!
Richard Wright released his first solo album, “Wet Dream,” on September 22, 1978. The album was recorded at Super Bear Studios in France between January and February 1978. It featured contributions from saxophonist Mel Collins and Pink Floyd’s touring guitarist Snowy White. The album showcased Wright’s versatility as a keyboardist and composer, with tracks like “Mediterranean C” and “Cat Cruise” highlighting his musical talents.
See Press coverage in Melody Maker, and Richard Wright Discography for Wet Dream
October – December 1978
Work on The Wall Begins
Roger Waters, David Gilmour and James Guthrie began working on the music, Lyrics and story of The Wall at Pink Floyd’s own recording studios Britannia Row Studios in London. Bob Ezrin joined the trio in December 1978.
At this stage, the songs were in a very rough state, and some of the songs were dropped from the project like Death Disco.
David Gilmour said, “While I might not argue much with Roger much over lyrics, I think I know as much as anyone in or around the band about music, and would certainly give my opinion quite forcibly”.
Nick Mason and Richard Wright did not contribute to the writing of the album. David Gilmour contributed Young Lust, Run Like Hell and Comfortably Numb. Bob Ezrin had a co-credit for The Trial.
Listen to David Gilmour’s Comfortably Numb Demo call The Doctor
Late 1978
The Wall Demos in David Gilmour’s Personal Archives
In the BBC Documentary Wider Horizons, the above Wall Demos, labelled “Wall Demos Late 1978” was broadcast. I wonder what other materials he and the rest of the band have in their personal archives that has never seen the light of day?
Here are the top ten best-selling albums of 1978:
- Saturday Night Fever – Bee Gees
- Rumours – Fleetwood Mac
- City to City – Gerry Rafferty
- Some Girls – Rolling Stones
- Grease – Various Artists
- Don’t Look Back – Boston
- Living in the USA – Linda Ronstadt
- 52nd Street – Billy Joel
- New Boots and Panties – Ian Dury and the Blockheads
- The Greatest Hits of Donna Summer – Donna Summer
Sources – Comfortably Numb A History of The Wall Pink Floyd 1978-1981 by Vernon Fitch and Richard Mahon
