Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is 50 Years Old Today
![Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974 [Pic: Copyright Hipgnosis]](https://www.neptunepinkfloyd.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Live-At-Wembley-Empire-Pool-London-1974-c-Hipgnosis-1024x661.jpg)
Happy Birthday to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon album which is 50 years old today!
The album was recorded between 30 May 1972 – 9 February 1973 having being played live on the road for a period of time. Lots of bootlegs exist of the album where you can hear the songs being developed over time with different song titles, lyrics and musical arrangements within the songs. The final album, recorded by Alan Parsons at Abbey Road studios, is a true master piece and one of the best rock and roll albums of all time.
Best Selling Albums of All Time
The album has sold perhaps 45 million copies worldwide which puts it in the top 4 best selling albums of all time. 3rd is Whitney Houston The Bodyguard with slightly more than 45 million sales, 2nd is AC/DC Back In Black with 50 million sales and number 1 is Michael Jackson’s Thriller. That has had a colossal 70 million worldwide sales.
50th Anniversary Goodies
Whilst the box set might not be affordable for most people (although the price has dropped significantly check Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com for latest pricing), lots of the contents are available as separates. I am still undecided whether I will take the plunge and get the box set but will certainly at least have the Live at Wembley Vinyl and the official book full of amazing photos by the likes of Storm Thorgerson, Jill Furmanovsky, Aubrey Powell. Reasonably priced too I think.
So make sure you check out the deep dive on the Box Set – take a look at the contents – otherwise take a look at these two gems below.
Pink Floyd Live at Wembley 1974 (Vinyl or CD)
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180G Heavyweight 1LP in gatefold sleeve, with two posters featuring designs by Ian Emes and Gerald Scarfe. Cover design by Aubrey Powell/Hipgnosis and Peter Curzon/Storm Studios. Featuring original 1973-line drawn cover artwork by George Hardie.
On 24th March, the CD and first ever vinyl issue of Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon – Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974’ will be released independently. It was originally recorded in November 1974 as part of the band’s winter tour and this is the first time it will be available as a stand-alone album, with artwork featuring an original 1973 line-drawn cover by George Hardie.
Dark Side of the Moon Official Photo Book
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March 2023 marks fifty years since the release of Pink Floyd’s classic album The Dark Side Of The Moon. Designed by Pentagram to high specifications, this celebratory publication brims with rare and unseen photographs and reveals the visual conception of the original iconic album artwork. It will be a covetable package for the legions of Floyd fans out there – new and old.
• Presents rare and unseen backstage and onstage photography of the band during the album tours of 1972 to 1975.
• 129 candid photographs by Storm Thorgerson, Jill Furmanovsky, Aubrey Powell and Peter Christopherson document the soundchecks, the shows and the after shows.
• A review of the October 1972 Wembley gig, originally published in Melody Maker, provides insight into one of the Floyd’s most celebrated performances.
• Reveals the visual conception of the iconic album artwork.
• Includes a complete listing of the tour dates.
Links
Albums Sales – best selling albums of all time
Memorabilia – Abbey Road Session Sheet reproduction – Why Pink Floyd Immersion and Experience Editions of Dark Side of the Moon
