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In 1980, Pink Floyd was immersed in the creation and performance of their seminal project, “The Wall” live show. The year saw the band delivering ground-breaking live shows, beginning with rehearsals in Hollywood and leading to multi-night performances at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena and the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New York. These shows were characterized by their elaborate stage setups and the construction of an actual wall on stage. The band also released the single “Run Like Hell” in June, which became a notable addition to their repertoire having released Another Brick in the Wall Part Two in 1979. The summer culminated in a series of performances at London’s Earls Court Exhibition Hall, further solidifying “The Wall” as a cultural and musical milestone in Pink Floyd’s long history.
Watch Pink Floyd perform The Wall Live
As part of The Wall Immersion box set, there is video of various documentaries and also a clip of The Happiest Days of Our Lives recorded live at Earls Court in London. Here is a sample clip.
January 1980
The Wall Live Rehearsals in USA
Pink Floyd’s preparation for “The Wall” live shows was an intense and meticulous process. In 1980, they dedicated three weeks to rehearsals to ensure the performances would be nothing short of spectacular.
The initial phase of rehearsals took place at Leeds Studios in Hollywood, where the musicians fine-tuned their parts and worked on synchronizing their performances. This phase was crucial for getting the intricate details of the music right, as “The Wall” is a complex album with many layers and transitions.
Following the musicians’ rehearsals, the band moved to MGM Studios in Los Angeles for the next phase. Here, the focus shifted to the full show production. This included not just the music, but also the elaborate stage setup, special effects, and the construction and demolition of an actual wall on stage. The rehearsals at MGM Studios were vital for integrating the visual and theatrical elements with the musical performance, ensuring that everything ran smoothly and seamlessly during the live shows.
These rehearsals were essential in bringing “The Wall” to life on stage, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience for the audience. The dedication and hard work put into these preparations were evident in the ground breaking performances that followed.
Links – The Wall Tour 1980/81 Concert Dates and memorabilia, Hundreds of Photos from The Wall performances, Stage Designer Mark Fisher’s photos of The Wall production, graphic designer Gerald Scarfe’s Wall designs,
21 January 1980
The Wall Live Production Rehearsals
Pink Floyd’s journey to perfecting “The Wall” live shows included three intense weeks of full production rehearsals at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. These rehearsals were critical, allowing the band and their crew to integrate all the elements of the show.
During these three weeks, Pink Floyd, along with their production team, focused on combining the musical performance with the elaborate stage design, special effects, and the construction of the wall. The arena provided the space needed to replicate the actual concert environment, ensuring that every aspect of the show was meticulously choreographed and executed.
The production rehearsals were more than just run-throughs; they were a comprehensive preparation for the complex and ambitious nature of “The Wall” live performances. From perfecting sound quality to timing the visual effects and animations, every detail was scrutinized to create an immersive experience for the audience.
7 February 1980
The Wall Live at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
On February 7, 1980, Pink Floyd performed the first of seven consecutive nights at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. These shows were part of their ambitious and ground-breaking tour for “The Wall”. The performances featured the album in its entirety, along with an additional instrumental piece titled “The Last Few Bricks”, which bridged the gap between songs to allow for the final construction of the wall on stage.
To enhance the live experience to reproduce the album recording as much as possible, Pink Floyd was joined by “The Surrogate Band”, comprising:
- Andy Bown on bass guitar
- Snowy White on guitar
- Peter Wood on keyboards
- John ‘Willie’ Wilson on drums
- Backing vocalists John Joyce, Joe Chemay, Jim Haas, and Stan Farber
As part of the theatre of the show there was a “Master of Ceremonies” who walked out onto the stage dressed in a dinner jacket before each performance. They would give all kinds of cliche warnings about not blocking the freeways etc. They would then introduce The Surrogate Band (i.e. they were wearing “life masks” of the real members of Pink Floyd). The MC whipped the excitement up in the arenas at points in the show. A famous line is “the band are about to begin… no not quite yet!”. The MC would then continue as the Surrogate Band picked up their instruments, they just played over the MC!
The Master of Ceremonies (MC) roles were filled by:
- Cynthia Fox for the first four shows
- Ace Young on February 8
- Jim Ladd on February 10 and 11
The stage set was a massive spectacle, featuring 450 foldable cardboard bricks that constructed a wall 33 feet high and 260 feet wide. The show also included animated projections, giant inflatables, and a replica of a Stuka dive bomber, creating a visually immersive experience.
The first night’s performance faced a challenge when a stage curtain caught fire during the opening number, causing a temporary delay. Despite this hiccup, the shows went on to become legendary, showcasing Pink Floyd’s innovative blend of music, visual art, and theatrical storytelling.
The Wall Tour 1980 in USA
1980-02-07 : Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA
1980-02-08 : Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA
1980-02-09 : Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA
1980-02-10 : Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA
1980-02-11 : Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA
1980-02-12 : Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA
1980-02-13 : Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA
Links – Take a look at the 1980 The Wall Live LA Tour Book
16 February 1980
Pink Floyd rehearse The Wall at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
After their ground-breaking performances in Los Angeles, Pink Floyd took their ambitious show on the road. As part of their preparation for the next leg of “The Wall” tour, they started a week of rehearsals at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New York. These rehearsals were crucial for refining their complex stage show in a different venue, ensuring that every element of the performance was perfectly synchronized.
The band, along with their extensive crew, worked on adapting the intricate stage setup, animations, and special effects to the new environment. This included the construction and dismantling of the massive wall, which was a centrepiece of the show. The Nassau rehearsals allowed the band to iron out any logistical issues and ensure that the performances would run smoothly.
24 February 1980
The Wall Live at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
From February 24 to 28, 1980, Pink Floyd staged “The Wall” on five consecutive nights at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New York. These performances were a continuation of their ground-breaking tour, bringing the elaborate and theatrical show to a new audience.
The Master of Ceremonies (MC) for all five nights was Gary Yudman, a comedian and impressionist known for his work on “Saturday Night Live”. Yudman’s role was to engage the audience, provide announcements, and add a touch of humour to the proceedings2. His presence added an extra layer of entertainment to the already immersive experience of the show.
The Wall Tour 1980 in USA
1980-02-24 : Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Long Island, New York, USA
1980-02-25 : Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Long Island, New York, USA
1980-02-26 : Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Long Island, New York, USA
1980-02-27 : Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Long Island, New York, USA
1980-02-28 : Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Long Island, New York, USA
Take a look at the 1980 Pink Floyd The Wall New York Tour Book
9 June 1980
Run Like Hell Single Released from The Wall album
“Run Like Hell” was released as a single in the United States on April 1980 with the B-side “Don’t Leave Me Now”. The song, written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters, was part of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” album. It reached No. 53 on the US charts.
The track is known for its driving rhythm and memorable guitar riff, and it became a staple of Pink Floyd’s live performances. The song’s lyrics are from the perspective of the album’s protagonist, Pink, during a hallucinatory sequence where he imagines himself as a fascist dictator.
4 August 1980
The Wall Live at London’s Earls Court Exhibition Hall
From August 4 to 9, 1980, Pink Floyd staged “The Wall” for six consecutive nights at London’s Earls Court Exhibition Hall. These performances were a grand culmination of their tour, showcasing the full theatrical and musical spectacle of the album.
The stage setup was as elaborate as ever, featuring the iconic construction of a 33-foot-high and 260-foot-wide wall made from 450 foldable cardboard bricks. The show also included animated projections, inflatables, and a replica Stuka dive bomber, creating a visually stunning and immersive experience for the audience
The Wall Tour 1980 in the UK
1980-08-04 : Earls Court Exhibition Hall, London, England
1980-08-05 : Earls Court Exhibition Hall, London, England
1980-08-06 : Earls Court Exhibition Hall, London, England
1980-08-07 : Earls Court Exhibition Hall, London, England
1980-08-08 : Earls Court Exhibition Hall, London, England
1980-08-09 : Earls Court Exhibition Hall, London, England
Watch – From The Wall Immersion Boxset Live on 10th August 1980 (Official), Photos The Wall Rehearsals from 1st August 1980, The Wall Live at Earls Court August 9 1980 Tour Book – None available
Top ten albums released in 1980
To continue our theme of Pink Floyd History 1980, here are some of the top albums of 1980, according to various sources:
- “London Calling” by The Clash – This album is often cited as one of the greatest rock albums of all time, blending punk, reggae, and rockabilly influences.
- “Back in Black” by AC/DC – A major comeback album for the band, featuring hits like “Hells Bells” and “You Shook Me All Night Long.”
- “The Wall” by Pink Floyd – A rock opera that tells a powerful story through its music and concept.
- “Remain in Light” by Talking Heads – An innovative album that incorporated African rhythms and experimental sounds.
- “Dirty Mind” by Prince – A ground-breaking album that showcased Prince’s unique blend of funk, rock, and pop.
- “Get Happy!!” by Elvis Costello and The Attractions – A new wave album with a mix of pop and rock influences.
- “Closer” by Joy Division – A post-punk classic that is known for its dark and atmospheric sound.
- “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)” by David Bowie – An album that continued Bowie’s exploration of new wave and art rock.
- “Guilty” by Barbra Streisand – A pop album featuring collaborations with Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees.
- “Peter Gabriel” by Peter Gabriel – Also known as “Scratch,” this album marked Gabriel’s debut as a solo artist and featured hits like “Solsbury Hill.”
Sources: Comfortably Numb A History of The Wall Pink Floyd 1978-1981 by Vernon Fitch and Richard Mahon.
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