Pink Floyd Timeline will guide you through the band’s history traversing the eras and delving into the chapters of their development. Their history starts in friendship groups as children and ends in the courts then eventually a reluctant leader David Gilmour continues the band until it abruptly stopped.
In addition to the timelines, which serve as a springboard into the other sections of the website, you may want to view categories of their history like tours, tour programmes, discography and songs, our extensive photo archives and the people in and around the band. Its an enjoyable journey, let’s begin.
Pink Floyd History: Chapters
Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd
Post-Syd Experimentation: Finding Their Place
- 1968 – Finding Their Feet
- 1969 – More and Ummagumma
- 1970 – Atom Heart Mother and Madcap Laughs
- 1971 – Relics, Meddle and Live at Pompeii
- 1972 – Obscured By Clouds and touring
Pink Floyd The Mega Band
The David Gilmour Led Pink Floyd
- This section is work in progress
A Brief History of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd, an iconic rock band, has a rich and evolving history that spans several decades. Their journey began in 1965 in London, when the band was formed by Syd Barrett (guitar, lead vocals), Nick Mason (drums), Roger Waters (bass, vocals), and Richard Wright (keyboards, vocals). They initially gained popularity for their psychedelic sound and light shows, becoming a prominent part of the London underground music scene.
The band’s early years were marked by Syd Barrett’s creative leadership, culminating in their debut album, “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” (1967), which is considered a classic in psychedelic rock. However, Barrett’s mental health issues led to his departure in 1968, and he was replaced by David Gilmour (guitar, vocals).
![Pink Floyd Live at Wembley 1973 [Pic: Hipgnosis]](https://www.neptunepinkfloyd.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pink-Floyd-Live-at-Wembley-1973-Hipgnosis.jpg)
This lineup change marked a new era for Pink Floyd. They gradually moved away from psychedelic music to a more progressive rock sound. The 1970s were a particularly fruitful period for the band, during which they released several critically acclaimed albums. “The Dark Side of the Moon” (1973), “Wish You Were Here” (1975), “Animals” (1977), and “The Wall” (1979) are particularly notable, with “The Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Wall” becoming some of the best-selling albums of all time.
The band’s music during this period was known for its complex compositions, philosophical lyrics, innovative album cover art, and elaborate live shows. Roger Waters became the primary lyricist and conceptual leader, especially evident in “The Wall,” which was accompanied by an elaborate stage show and later adapted into a feature film.
However, the 1980s saw tensions within the band, leading to Roger Waters’ departure in 1985. The remaining members, led by Gilmour, continued to record and perform as Pink Floyd, releasing albums like “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” (1987) and “The Division Bell” (1994). These albums maintained the band’s popularity, though some critics felt they lacked the depth of the Waters-era records.
The band members pursued solo careers alongside their work in Pink Floyd. After years of estrangement, the surviving members of the classic lineup (Waters, Gilmour, Mason, and Wright) reunited briefly for a performance at Live 8 in 2005, an event that was highly celebrated by fans.
Sadly, Richard Wright passed away in 2008, but the band’s legacy continues. In 2014, Pink Floyd released “The Endless River,” based on unreleased material from the 1990s, as a tribute to Wright. Their influence on rock music and popular culture remains profound, with their work continuing to be celebrated by fans and critics alike for its innovation, depth, and artistic integrity.
Links – The Official Pink Floyd Timeline history of the band, Nick Mason’s A Personal History of Pink Floyd Book also from USA,
