In 1988, Pink Floyd stood at a crossroads, having weathered the departure of founding member Roger Waters just a few years prior. The remaining members—David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright—embraced the challenge of redefining the band’s identity. This year became a testament to their resilience and creative spirit, solidifying Pink Floyd’s legacy in the annals of rock history.
Following the release of their 1987 album “A Momentary Lapse of Reason,” Pink Floyd embarked on an ambitious world tour that extended well into 1988 and beyond. This wasn’t merely a series of concerts; it was an immersive experience that pushed the boundaries of live performances. Audiences were treated to spectacular stage designs featuring cutting-edge technology: elaborate light shows, crystal-clear sound systems, and the return of iconic imagery like the floating inflatable pigs and awe-inspiring visual projections on a massive circular screen. As detailed in Mark Blake’s“Pigs Might Fly: The Inside Story of Pink Floyd” (2007), the tour was a phenomenal success, drawing over 4.25 million fans worldwide and becoming one of the highest-grossing tours of the decade.
1988 Pink Floyd World Tour Delicate Sound of Thunder :
Delicate Sound of Thunder Live album and Video
In August 1988, the band sought to capture the magic of their live performances. During a series of sold-out shows at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, they recorded material that would become the live album “Delicate Sound of Thunder.” Released on November 22, 1988, this album wasn’t just a collection of songs—it was a statement of renewal for the remaining band members, under David Gilmour’s leadership. The album featured a blend of classic Pink Floyd tracks alongside newer material, allowing listeners to experience the band’s evolution first-hand. The accompanying concert film, also titled “Delicate Sound of Thunder,” was directed by Wayne Isham and offered a visual journey through the band’s stunning live show.
Pink Floyd First in Space!
An intriguing piece of history surrounds this album: it became the first rock album to be played in space. As noted by Andy Mabbett in “Pink Floyd: The Music and the Mystery” (2010), Soviet cosmonauts took a cassette copy aboard the Soyuz TM-7 mission to the Mir space station in 1989. This milestone in Pink Floyd History 1988 underscored the universal appeal of Pink Floyd’s music, transcending terrestrial boundaries!
1988 Soyuz TM-7 Pink Floyd First in Space
Pink Floyd Legal Battle Resolved
Behind the scenes, 1988 was also a year of legal resolutions. The band had been entangled in disputes with Roger Waters over the rights to the Pink Floyd name and the use of certain materials. Waters had contended that the band effectively dissolved with his departure. However, by early 1988, an agreement was reached that allowed Gilmour, Mason, and Wright to continue using the Pink Floyd name. This settlement is chronicled in Nicholas Schaffner’s“Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey” (1991), highlighting how the resolution enabled the band to move forward creatively without legal entanglements.
The Later Year’s Boxset
The legacy of this transformative year has been revisited in subsequent years. In 2019, the band released “The Later Years 1987–2019,” a comprehensive box set that included remixed and remastered materials from this era. This collection offered fans a fresh perspective on a pivotal period in Pink Floyd’s history, showcasing the enduring quality of their work during the late 1980s. Its a fantastic boxset and well worth the investment.
Pink Floyd Later Years 1987-2019 Review
Pink Floyd Timeline 1988
Here are some of the key events along Pink Floyd History 1988.
22 January 1988
1988 Pink Floyd Western Springs Australia poster
Pink Floyd perform on World Tour in Australia and New Zealand
Pink Floyd’s A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour was a significant moment for the band, marking their first major tour without founding member Roger Waters. The tour, which ran from September 1987 to August 1989, was in support of their album A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
The tour included 22 dates through New Zealand and Australia, starting with a one-night show at Auckland’s Western Springs Stadium on 22 January 1988, and concluding with a performance at East Fremantle Oval in Perth on 24 February 1988. This leg of the tour was part of a larger global journey that saw Pink Floyd perform over 200 shows across Europe, North America, Australia, and Japan.
1988 Pink Floyd Inflatable Bed down the Thames River in London
Pink Floyd Inflatable Bed Floating down the Thames River
To promote their “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” tour in 1988, Pink Floyd floated a giant inflatable bed down the River Thames near the Houses of Parliament in London. This quirky and eye-catching stunt was designed to advertise their upcoming UK concerts1. The inflatable bed, emblazoned with the band’s name and tour details, certainly turned heads and created a memorable spectacle for both tourists and locals alike.
2 March 1988
1988 Pink Floyd World Tour in Japan
Pink Floyd perform in Japan
Pink Floyd’s A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour made its way to Japan in March 1988, with the first two shows held at the iconic Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on March 2nd and 3rd. These performances were part of a larger eight-date tour across Japan, showcasing the band’s elaborate stage production and captivating the Japanese audience with their sound.
The setlist for these concerts included a mix of tracks from their latest album, A Momentary Lapse of Reason, as well as fan favourites from previous albums like The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. Some of the standout songs performed were “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” “Time,” “The Great Gig in the Sky,” and “Comfortably Numb”.
15 April 1988
1988 Pink Floyd Sacramento & Oakland, California poster
Pink Floyd North American Tour 1988
Pink Floyd’s North American tour in 1988 was a major highlight of their A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour. The tour kicked off on April 15th at Los Angeles’ Memorial Coliseum and wrapped up with three nights at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, from August 23rd to 25th.
One notable incident occurred during the concert at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl, where bad weather forced the band to shorten their set. Despite this, the tour was a resounding success, showcasing Pink Floyd’s incredible stage production and captivating performances.
1988 Pink Floyd Lille, France poster no 2 July 28, 1988
European Leg of the tour began
The European leg of the tour kicked off on June 10th at Stade De La Beaujoire in Nantes, France, and spanned 29 shows across the continent, including two sold-out dates at London’s Wembley Stadium on August 5th and 6th.
The performances were known for their elaborate visual effects, including the iconic inflatable pigs and mesmerizing light shows, which created an immersive experience for the audience.
The band also played at unique venues such as the forecourt of the Palace of Versailles and Moscow’s Olympic Stadium, marking their first performances in the Soviet Union. The tour became the highest-grossing tour of the 1980s, grossing around $135 million.
The success of these concerts was later captured in the live album “Delicate Sound of Thunder”, which documented the band’s powerful live performances and their ability to connect with fans across Europe.
On June 16, 1988, Pink Floyd performed a memorable concert outside the Reichstag building in West Berlin. This concert was part of their “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” tour and took place near the Berlin Wall, a symbol of division during the Cold War2. Fans gathered on both sides of the Wall, with some East Berliners risking arrest to hear the music from the other side. The performance was a powerful moment, highlighting the band’s global reach and the unifying power of music. The event was captured on video and remains a significant part of Pink Floyd’s history, showcasing their commitment to bringing people together through their art.
1988 Pink Floyd Versailles poster no 2 June 21-22, 1988
Pink Floyd play Versailles Concert
On June 21st and 22nd, 1988, Pink Floyd performed a spectacular concert at the Place d’Armes in the Palace of Versailles, France.
The backdrop of the historic palace added a unique and grandiose atmosphere to the performance, making it a memorable event for both the band and the audience.
The concert was later included in the “Delicate Sound of Thunder” live album and concert film, capturing the essence of their powerful live shows and the majestic setting of Versailles.
One Slip (B-side: Terminal Frost and the Dogs of War) was released as a single in the US.
“One Slip” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1987 album “A Momentary Lapse of Reason.” Released as a single on June 13, 1988, it was co-written by David Gilmour and Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music. The song’s title comes from a line in the lyrics, and it was initially released as the B-side to “Learning to Fly” before being re-released as a single. The single version was edited for radio, with a length of 3:58 compared to the album version’s 5:10.
The B-side included live versions of “Terminal Frost” and “The Dogs of War,” recorded during the band’s 1987 tour. The music video for “One Slip” featured footage of a vintage plane flying, interspersed with concert clips from their performances at The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia.
1988 Pink Floyd Auburn Hills, Michigan poster August 16 and 17 1988
Pink Floyd 1988 North American Tour Leg Begins
On 12th August 1988, Pink Floyd launched their second North American tour as part of their “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” world tour.
This leg of the tour kicked off with three consecutive nights at the Richfield Coliseum in Cleveland, Ohio. Fans were treated to a setlist that included classics like “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, “Learning to Fly”, and “Comfortably Numb”, all delivered with the signature Pink Floyd flair.
The Richfield Coliseum shows were particularly memorable, drawing large crowds and reinforcing Pink Floyd’s status as one of the most influential rock bands of the era.
23 August 1988
1988 Pink Floyd Delicate Sound of Thunder Gilmour playing Guitar
Pink Floyd’s 1987/88 World Tour comes to a close at Nassau Coliseum, New York
The final night of Pink Floyd’s North American tour took place on August 23, 1988, at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. This show, along with the four earlier performances at the same venue, was recorded for their live album and video “Delicate Sound of Thunder”. The recordings captured the band’s powerful live performance, featuring a setlist that included classics like “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, “Learning to Fly”, and “Comfortably Numb”. The album and video provided fans with a lasting memento of the tour’s grandeur and Pink Floyd’s enduring musical legacy.
Links – Delicate Sound of Thunder DVD/Blu-ray in UK and Rest of World
“Opel” is a compilation album by Syd Barrett, released on October 17, 1988. The album features a collection of unreleased material and alternative takes from his sessions for his solo albums, “The Madcap Laughs” and “Barrett”, recorded between 1968 and 1970 at Abbey Road Studios.
The album includes eight previously unreleased songs and alternative versions of six already released songs. Notable tracks include “Opel,” “Clowns and Jugglers (Octopus),” and “Wouldn’t You Miss Me (Dark Globe)”. Despite its positive reviews, the album did not chart.
“Opel” was remastered and reissued in 1993 as part of the “Crazy Diamond” box set, and again in 2010 for a newly remastered version. It was later released in a lovely box set with Syd’s other two albums.
Syd Barrett Pictures from Later Life (This article was from 1982 I think, not sure this is the exact article)
Syd Barrett Tracked Down by Nasty Newspaper News of the World
The low quality British newspaper “News Of The World” tracked Syd Barrett down and doorstepped him. They described Syd as “a lunatic who barks like a dog”.
It seems probable that Syd, real name Roger Keith Barrett, was suffering with schizophrenia which often develops in men from their 20s. It is also associated with Diabetes, which Syd developed.
Many have written that Syd was a victim of drug use. The drugs probably didn’t help. But the condition can be brough about by early childhood stress – his dad died when Syd was young – and the pressures of rising fame with Pink Floyd. The symptoms can progress including increasingly odd thoughts, and odd behaviour, and then later psychosis, (delusions and “visions”), bizarre actions, paranoia, disorganised thinking, catatonia and social withdrawal.
1988 Pink Floyd Delicate Sound of Thunder Live Album
Pink Floyd Live Album Delicate Sound Of Thunder Released
“Delicate Sound of Thunder” is a live album by Pink Floyd, released on November 21, 1988. It was recorded over five nights at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, during their A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour in August 1988. The album was mixed at Abbey Road Studios in September 1988.
The album features a mix of songs from their then-recent studio album “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” and classic hits from their earlier albums. It was released as a double LP, double cassette, and double CD, each format containing a slightly different track listing.
In 2019, the album was remixed, restored, and reissued as part of The Later Years 1987–2019 box set, which included previously unreleased tracks. This expanded version was later given a standalone release in November 2020.
“Delicate Sound of Thunder” reached #11 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold and platinum in January 1989, eventually reaching triple platinum status in April 1997.
The track listing was: Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Parts 1-5; Learning To Fly; Yet Another Movie; Round And Around; Sorrow; The Dogs Of War; On The Turning Away; One Of These Days; Time; Wish You Were Here; Us And Them; Money; Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2; Comfortably Numb; Run Like Hell. The album reached No. 11 in both the UK and the US.
26 November 1988
1988 Soyuz TM-7 Pink Floyd First in Space
Pink Floyd First in Space!
On November 26, 1988, the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz TM-7 launched into orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, carrying a unique piece of musical history. Among the astronauts’ personal items was a cassette copy (sans the box to save weight) of Pink Floyd’s live album, “Delicate Sound of Thunder.” This marked the first time music was intentionally taken into space for listening pleasure. The launch was attended by none other than French President François Mitterrand, along with Pink Floyd members David Gilmour and Nick Mason, who were there to capture audio recordings of the event for potential use in future projects.
The Soyuz TM-7 mission was notable for being the fourth mission to the Mir space station, contributing to space research and international cooperation. The launch and the accompanying Pink Floyd recording exemplify the intersection of culture and space exploration.
Top Ten Selling Albums of 1988
Here’s the Top Ten Selling Albums of 1988 with a brief note on each:
“Faith” by George Michael: The best-selling album of 1988, featuring hits like “One More Try” and “Father Figure.”
“Dirty Dancing Soundtrack”: A huge success, staying at the top for 18 weeks and featuring songs like “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”
“Bad” by Michael Jackson: Another major hit, with tracks like “Smooth Criminal” and “Bad.”
“Push” by Bros: A popular album in the UK, known for its catchy pop songs.
“Now That’s What I Call Music 13”: A compilation album featuring various artists and hits of the time.
“Popped In Souled Out” by Wet Wet Wet: The Scottish band’s debut album, which became a big hit.
“Tango in the Night” by Fleetwood Mac: A successful comeback album for the band.
“Rattle and Hum” by U2: A double album combining live and new studio tracks.
“Tracy Chapman” by Tracy Chapman: The debut album by the singer-songwriter, featuring the hit “Fast Car.”
“Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby” by Terence Trent D’Arby: A successful debut album with hits like “Wishing Well.”
Sources
Mark Blake, Pigs Might Fly: The Inside Story of Pink Floyd (2007).
Andy Mabbett, Pink Floyd: The Music and the Mystery (2010).
Nicholas Schaffner, Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey (1991).
Glenn Povey, Echoes: The Complete History of Pink Floyd (2007).