[Column] Pink Floyd——An expansion of rock that rebuilt the world with sound and space
Column en Progressive Psychedelic Rock![[Column] Pink Floyd——An expansion of rock that rebuilt the world with sound and space](/../assets/images/column-pink-floyd.webp)
Prologue: The moment when rock turns into an “experience”
Text: mmr｜Theme: The trajectory of Pink Floyd’s innovation and thought that expanded music into spatial art
How far can music expand?
In the 1960s, rock was still “music that was played.” However, Pink Floyd transforms this into a ““space to be experienced.’’ Music as a whole, including sound, light, images, and even silence. Their appearance was an event that rewrote the very definition of rock.
At early concerts, such as at London’s UFO Club, a liquid light show was projected simultaneously with the music, making the audience not just listeners but ““insiders.’’ At this point, their live performance was already an “environment” rather than a concert.
One of the testimonies of the audience at the time is that they were ““not just watching the band, but melting into the space.’’ This is not an exaggeration; it was exactly the experience they intended.
Rock has changed from ““something to listen to” to ““something to immerse yourself in.”
Chapter 1: The origins and collapse of psychedelia
The nucleus of Syd Barrett
Early on, Syd Barrett was the creative center of the band. The songs he wrote were fairytale-like yet full of unease, and were strongly connected to the psychedelic culture of the time.
Their 1967 debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, epitomized this. The recording coincided with The Beatles making Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in the same studio. It is said that they sometimes passed each other in the hallway of the studio, but their musical direction was very different.
Barrett has many anecdotes left behind. There is a well-known story about him never changing the chords on his guitar during a live performance, just playing one note over and over again. There is also an episode in which she applied brilliant cream to her hair, stood on stage, and it melted from the heat of the lights, covering her face.
In 1968, he left the band. But then again, during the production of 1975’s Wish You Were Here, he suddenly showed up at the studio and no one recognized him. This visit had a deep impact on the band, as symbolized by the song “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.”
The explosion of creation was also the beginning of collapse.
Chapter 2: Rock as acoustic construction
Collective redefinition
Following Barrett’s departure, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason and David Gilmour will be looking for new directions.
What they chose was ““constructed music.’’ Recording studios began to play a role equal to, or even greater than, musical instruments. Reverse tape rotation, looping, and field recording. Everything became sound material.
"”Echoes” from ““Meddle” features a mysterious, ping-like sound, which was originally discovered by chance when a microphone was placed close to a piano. This attitude of incorporating chance into structure also applies to later electronic music.
They also experimented with ““quadraphonic sound,’’ which moves the sound by placing speakers on all sides at live performances. The experience of having sound come from behind the audience was extremely innovative at the time.
Sound has changed from being played to being designed.
Chapter 3: Complete concept album
“The Dark Side of the Moon”
In 1973, The Dark Side of the Moon became a turning point in rock history. This work unifies themes such as time, madness, death, and capitalism, and the album as a whole functions as a single ideology.
In the recording, the drums were modified to reproduce the sound of a heartbeat, and everyday sounds such as the sound of a cash register and a clock were incorporated into the rhythm. The clock sound at the beginning is a simultaneous recording of many clocks in the studio.
Another distinctive feature is the inclusion of audio interviews with ordinary people. The answers to questions such as ““What is madness?” and ““What do you think about death?” become part of the song.
This album’s jacket design was by Hipgnosis, and the image of a prism symbolizes the decomposition and reconstruction of sound.
An album is not just a collection of songs, it has become an idea itself.
Chapter 4: Growing story and production
“The Wall” and the parable of division
1979’s The Wall is based on Roger Waters’ personal experiences and explores themes of isolation and oppression.
During the live performance, a gigantic wall is actually built on the stage and is completed as the performance progresses. And at the end, that wall collapses. This production left a strong impression on the audience.
Even more symbolic is the incident during the “In the Flesh” tour. The incident in which Waters spat at an audience member was a shock even to him, and is said to have been the starting point for the idea for The Wall.
The film version was directed by Alan Parker and featured a combination of animation and live action. At the time, there were almost no examples of musical works being visually expanded to this extent.
Stories transcend sound and begin to dominate space itself.
Chapter 5: Internal Conflict and Reorganization
Waters’ departure
As the 1980s progressed, tensions within the band increased, and Waters left the band in 1985. Although he declared the end of the band, David Gilmour and others decided to continue their activities.
Legal disputes also arose during this period, and conflicts continued over the use of the band”s name. As a result, Gilmore”s side will keep the name “Pink Floyd”.
1987’s ““A Momentary Lapse of Reason’’ is known for its heavy use of studio musicians, but the live performance once again brought back the spectacular production, using giant screens and laser beams.
The band split from one ideology into multiple interpretations.
Chapter 6: Pink Floyd as a legacy
Modern impact
Pink Floyd’s influence is immeasurable. In the ambient realm, he resonated with the ideas of Brian Eno and contributed to the development of spatial music.
Furthermore, many of today’s live productions—giant LED screens, stereophonic sound, and immersive installations—are an extension of their efforts.
In 1990, Waters’ reenactment of ““The Wall’’ at the site of the Berlin Wall became a symbolic cultural event marking the end of the Cold War.
Furthermore, the moment when the main members reunited at Live 8 in 2005 is remembered as an event that will go down in music history.
Their music never ends and continues to live on as a methodology.
Chronology
Key events of Pink Floyd
It is a trajectory that continues to update the definition of music with each era.
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