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e're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year, Running over the same old ground, and have we found the same old fears, wish you were here! |
Roger Waters the undisputed leader of Pink Floyd from 1969 to 1983, was more responsible than any of the members of the group for their tremendous success. Yet because of the ill feelings and negative emotions caused by the bands falling out, breakup, and court battles, Roger Waters apparently has put the entire episode as well as the legendary band behind him for he did not appear at the induction ceremonies for Pink Floyd into the R&R; Hall of Fame. His absence left a great hole in the celebrations and he was indeed sorely missed, so also was the absence of Syd Barrett.
Thanks to Jeff Jensen, editor of Brain Damage Magazine, we have the following report of the events as they occurred.
Gilmour, Wright and Mason appeared. Waters did not. Gilmour and Wright were with their wives, Mason was alone. The Floyd were the last band to be inducted. Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins had the honor of inducting them.
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Shown were various video clips of the Floyd, including a portion of the Arnold Layne video, portion of French Windows, clips from the Pompei video, and brief clips from an unknown Dark Side concert from the early 70s.
The three came on stage, accepted the award with little said. Mason went back to the table on the main floor while Gilmour and Wright stayed on stage with Corgan. Gilmour and Corgan grabbed guitars and Wright went to the keyboards. The three proceeded to perform an acoustic version of "Wish You Were Here." |
At the end of the song, the Floyd and Corgan were supposed to go back stage were the media awaited for photo-opportunities and questions, but the Floyd did not go there (refused to), and instead returned to their seats.
What followed was a full jam by the inductees, less the Floyd, who would have been out of place on stage with the likes of the Shirelles, Stevie Wonder, and so on... on a side note: Madonna and David Byrne accepted Bowie's award, Slick was not there for Jefferson Airplane.
Promo items provided to the attendees and media included a Program and promo CD. The program includes four pages on the Floyd with text written by Andy Mabbett, editor of the now defunct Floyd Zine, The Amazing Pudding, with various pictures from his book "Pink Floyd a Visual Documentary." The CD (EMI Records Group Catalog number DPRO-10467) includes 29 tracks, three by Pink Floyd. They are: Track#1: "Excerpt of Wish You Were Here"... Track#19: See Emily Play... Track #24: Money. (All studio versions.)
| Elliot, a representative of Brain Damage Magazine, spoke with Mason afterwards, who didn't have much to say, and according to his report, looked quite uncomfortable in his tuxedo. Interestingly enough, Gilmour and Wright walked out of the Waldorf together with their wives, while Mason walked out alone. Elliot asked about his book, and his response was that it has been delayed further still. He doesn't know when it will see the light of day. Speculation is that he is not getting along with Dave as result of the troubles with the book.
All in all a typical Floyd night... nothing revealing, the media shunned, and no Waters. |
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Many many thanks again to Jeff Jensen and Brain Damage Magazine for sharing this first hand exclusive with REG.