Pink Floyd, the iconic rock band known for its groundbreaking music, recently took a trip down memory lane. Nick Mason, the band’s drummer, sat down for an interview with ABC Radio Melbourne to reminisce about the band’s formative years. In this conversation, he unveiled the band’s first true leader who played a pivotal role in shaping their later works.
Mason shared insights into Pink Floyd’s early evolution, stating:
“Well, I think it went through a couple of stages. The first year or so was the Syd Barrett era. It involved Syd’s songs, and he was absolutely the band leader.”
Syd Barrett, with his creative brilliance, led the band during this initial phase, leaving an indelible mark on their music.
However, as time progressed, the dynamics within the band shifted. Syd Barrett departed, and the torch passed to David Gilmour and Roger Waters, two other prominent members of Pink Floyd. Mason highlighted Roger Waters’ emergence as a significant contributor, saying:
“Roger really started writing.”
Despite Syd’s departure, his influence continued to resonate within Pink Floyd.
Mason noted:
“I mean, I think that maybe one of the interesting things about the earlier music is how it relates to the later because of all the ideas for ‘Wish You Were Here’ and ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ and so on. So many of them were contained in the early work.”
Recently, a documentary titled ‘Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd’ was released, shedding light on Syd Barrett’s life and his journey with Pink Floyd. Mason emphasized Syd’s profound significance, stating:
“You couldn’t overemphasize his importance because he was the creative genius.”
In the documentary, David Gilmour also expressed some regrets about not offering more support to Syd during his struggles with psychedelic substances.
Gilmour said:
“We probably did about as much as we could have… But I have a regret or two. I never went to see him… and I regret that I never went up to his house and knocked on the door. I think both Syd and I might have gained something out of one or two people popping ’round to his house for a cup of tea.”
Nick Mason’s interview provides a glimpse into the early days of Pink Floyd, where Syd Barrett’s leadership laid the foundation for their legendary musical journey. As fans continue to celebrate the band’s timeless music, these insights offer a deeper understanding of their evolution and the pivotal role played by its founding members.