Pink Floyd History 1979

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In 1979, Pink Floyd released their iconic album “The Wall” on November 30th. This rock opera, primarily written by Roger Waters, explores themes of isolation and abandonment. The album was a commercial success, reaching number one in the US and number three in the UK. It featured hit singles like “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2”, which became Pink Floyd’s only UK and US number-one single. The Wall was also notable for its elaborate live performances, which included theatrical effects and a massive wall constructed on stage in 1981. This album solidified Pink Floyd’s status as one of the most influential rock bands of all time.

January – March 1979

1979 January Britannia Row Recording Sheet for The Wall

Pink Floyd recording The Wall sessions continue

Pink Floyd opened the year by continuing recording sessions at their own Britannia Row Studios in London.

The recording process involved multiple sessions spread over several months, allowing the band to refine and develop the complex arrangements and themes that would define the album.

During the early stages of recording, the team spent much time working on a cohesive storyline through the Wall album. The character Pink did not exist at this stage but, as the piece developed, the fictional character Pink was born.

As for the storyline, all four producers made suggestions as to how to rearrange the songs to make them fit within the story better. Bob Ezrin even wrote The Wall story out in a 40 page storyboard, showing how he thought the songs might fit together.

Ezrin explained, “In my flat one night, I was up all night and wrote the script of The Wall. I brought it into the studio where we were rehearsing. It was like a film script. It had sound effects, dialogue, scene descriptions. The dialog was the lyrics to the extend tha twe had any.”

Discover –

March 1979

Rough Mix of The Wall Created

A Rough Mix of The Wall was created following the recording sessions the band had done at Britannia Row Studios.

April 1979

The Wall moves to Super Bear Studios in France

Recording sessions for The Wall album moved to Super Bear studios in France. Sessions continued at Super Bear until the end of July.

Summer 1979

The Wall in New York City

Recording sessions were held at Columbia Studio in New York City by producer Bob Ezrin and Michael Kamen to record the orchestral sections and choir parts for the album. Supplemental recording sessions also took place at Soundstage Studios in Toronto, Canada.

June – July 1979

The Wall Recording at Miraval Recording Studio in France

Additional recording sessions were held at Miraval Recording Studio in Provence, Le Val, France.

6 July 1979

Pink Floyd XI Limited Edition Boxset Released

Pink Floyd XI, a limited edition vinyl box set containing all of their albums to date, was released in the UK. This is a very collectible item with just 1,000 copies printed.

Read more about Pink Floyd First XI Boxset

August 1979

The Wall Second Rough Mix Created

A second rough mix of The Wall album was created in London by James Guthrie, from the recording done in France.

1 September 1979

Two months of work began on The Wall at New York’s CBS Studios with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor/arranger Michael Kamen. Floyd later work on The Wall at Los Angeles’ Cherokee Studios and Producer’s Workshop.

6-8 September 1979

Cherokee Studios Los Angeles

Three days of recording sessions took place at Cherokee Studios Los Angeles, California.

12 September 1979

Final Production of The Wall

Final productions, together with additional recording sessions, began at Producers Workshop in Los Angeles, California.

October 1979

Overdubs and finishing touches for The Wall

Overdubs and finishing touches for The Wall at Producers Workshop in Los Angeles, California.

6 November 1979

The Wall is sent for Mastered

Pink Floyd took their Wall recording from The Producers’ Workshop in Los Angeles to Mastering Lab, Inc which was next door.

23 November 1979

Pink Floyd’s single Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2 (B-side: One Of My Turns) was released in the UK. It was the group’s first UK single since Point Me At The Sky in 1968, and spent four weeks at No. 1 in the charts.

30 November 1979

Pink Floyd’s new album, The Wall, was released in the UK. Tracklisting: In The Flesh?; The Thin Ice; Another Brick In The Wall, Part 1; The Happiest Days Of Our Lives; Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2; Mother; Goodbye Blue Sky; Empty Spaces; Young Lust; One Of My Turns; Don’t Leave Me Now; Another Brick In The Wall, Part 3; Goodbye Cruel World; Hey You; Is There Anybody Out There; Nobody Home; Vera; Bring The Boys Back Home; Comfortably Numb; The Show Must Go On; In The Flesh; Run Like Hell; Waiting For The Worms; Stop; The Trial; Outside The Wall. It reached No. 3 in the charts.

8 December 1979

The Wall was released in the US and reached No. 1 in the charts.

Here are some of the biggest selling albums of 1979:

“The Wall” by Pink Floyd: This rock opera was a massive success, selling over 33 million copies.
“Spirits Having Flown” by Bee Gees: This album sold around 20 million copies and was another major hit of the year.
“Off the Wall” by Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson’s breakthrough solo album also sold about 20 million copies.
“Breakfast in America” by Supertramp: This album sold approximately 19 million copies.
“Highway to Hell” by AC/DC: This album sold around 9.4 million copies.
“The Long Run” by Eagles: This album sold about 7.8 million copies.
“Communique” by Dire Straits: This album sold around 7 million copies.
“In Through the Out Door” by Led Zeppelin: This album sold approximately 6.6 million copies.
“Christopher Cross” by Christopher Cross: This album sold about 6.2 million copies.
“Van Halen II” by Van Halen: This album sold around 5.4 million copies.