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
- 1973 – Dark Side of the Moon Released
- 1974 – Syd Barrett Solo and Pink Floyd Touring
- 1975 – Wish You Were Here and Syd’s Visit
- 1976 – Recording Animals
- 1977 – Animals release and In The Flesh Tour
- 1978 – Pink Floyd solo albums and The Wall demo recorded
- 1979 – The Wall Album writing and recording
- 1980 – The Wall Tour
- 1981 – The Wall Tour Continued
- 1982 – The Wall Movie and recording The Final Cut
- 1983 – The Final Cut released
The Breakup Years
The David Gilmour Led Pink Floyd
- 1987 – A Momentary Lapse Album and Tour
- 1988 – Delicate Sound of Thunder
- 1989 – Another Lapse Comes to an End
- 1990 – 1993: A Well Earned “Break”
- 1994 – The Division Bell
The Solo Years
1995-2025 – Work in Progress
A Brief History of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd emerged in the mid-1960s, initially as a band primarily known for its psychedelic rock performances. Formed in London in 1965, the original lineup featured Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright. Barrett, a charismatic frontman, quickly became the face of the group, bringing a distinct style that would become their signature.
The band’s early years were marked by a series of groundbreaking performances at London’s underground clubs, which gained them a cult following. Their debut album, “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn,” released in 1967, was a commercial success and showcased Barrett’s unique songwriting style. However, Barrett’s declining mental health, exacerbated by heavy drug use, led to his departure from the band in 1968. David Gilmour was brought in to replace him.
Gilmour’s arrival marked a new chapter for Pink Floyd. The band transitioned from psychedelic rock to a more progressive sound, which was evident in their next few albums. “A Saucerful of Secrets” (1968) and “Ummagumma” (1969) illustrated their growing experimentation with space rock and avant-garde music. The band’s interest in concept albums began to take shape.
Their next major success came with the release of “Atom Heart Mother” in 1970, which included a six-part suite that took up the entirety of Side A. The album topped the UK charts, affirming the band’s place in rock history. Following this, “Meddle” (1971) produced one of their most famous tracks, “Echoes,” which is often seen as a precursor to their later masterpieces.
1973’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” catapulted Pink Floyd to international stardom. Known for its sonic experimentation and complex themes, the album has been hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time. Its exploration of mental health, time, and existential angst resonated deeply with audiences. The album stayed on the Billboard charts for an unprecedented 741 weeks.
Following this enormous success, the band released “Wish You Were Here” (1975), a tribute to their former bandmate Syd Barrett. The album further solidified their reputation for creating deeply emotive and thoughtful music. Tracks like “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” and the title track remain some of the band’s most beloved songs.
Their next venture, “Animals” (1977), was a darker, more politically charged album. Inspired by George Orwell’s Animal Farm, it explored themes of societal division and corruption. The album marked a growing tension within the band, particularly between Waters and the other members.
The internal strife came to a head during the creation of “The Wall” (1979), a rock opera conceptualized by Waters. The album tells the story of Pink, a rock star who becomes increasingly isolated from society. Despite the tensions, the album was a critical and commercial success, featuring iconic tracks like “Another Brick in the Wall” and “Comfortably Numb.”
The subsequent tour for “The Wall” was one of the most ambitious in rock history, involving elaborate stage sets and special effects. The strain of the tour, however, exacerbated the already fractious relationships within the band. Wright was fired during the recording sessions but remained as a salaried musician for the tour.
In the wake of “The Wall,” Pink Floyd released “The Final Cut” (1983), largely driven by Waters. The album, which reflected Waters’ disillusionment with the music industry and the socio-political climate, received mixed reviews. This would be Waters’ last album with the band, as he left in 1985.
Gilmour and Mason decided to continue without Waters, and in 1987, they released “A Momentary Lapse of Reason.” The album marked a return to their signature sound and was a commercial success. Wright officially rejoined the band for the accompanying tour.
In 1994, the band released “The Division Bell,” which saw contributions from all three remaining members. The album’s themes revolved around communication and the breakdown thereof, possibly reflecting their own past struggles. The tour that followed was highly successful, resulting in the live album “Pulse.”
Following the release of “The Division Bell,” the band members pursued their individual projects, and Pink Floyd entered a period of relative inactivity. Despite this, their influence and popularity continued to grow, as new generations discovered their music.
In 2005, Waters, Gilmour, Mason, and Wright reunited for a one-off performance at Live 8, their first together in over 24 years. The performance was a poignant moment for both the band and their fans, symbolizing a brief end to their longstanding conflicts.
After Wright’s death in 2008, it seemed unlikely that Pink Floyd would perform together again. However, in 2014, Gilmour and Mason released “The Endless River,” an album largely composed of previously unreleased material recorded during the sessions for “The Division Bell.” It was seen as a final tribute to Wright and a closing chapter to the band’s storied career.
Pink Floyd’s legacy continues to endure, influencing countless musicians and fans worldwide. Their innovative approach to music, combined with their compelling thematic explorations, ensures that they remain one of the most significant rock bands in history.
Their contribution to music extended beyond just albums; their live performances set new standards for concert experiences with elaborate light shows and stage designs. The iconic imagery associated with the band, such as the prism from “The Dark Side of the Moon” and the giant inflatable pig from “Animals,” remains deeply ingrained in popular culture.
The influence of Pink Floyd’s music is evident across various genres and mediums, from rock and electronic music to film and literature. They have inspired countless artists, and their songs have been covered and reinterpreted by many. Their work continues to be a subject of study and admiration, proving the timelessness of their artistry.
Even today, fans around the world gather to celebrate Pink Floyd’s music through tribute concerts and festivals. The band’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of music and their willingness to tackle profound and often challenging themes has left an indelible mark on the world of rock and beyond.
Links – The Official Pink Floyd Timeline history of the band, Nick Mason’s A Personal History of Pink Floyd Book also from USA,
