Here's something you might be interested in.
I'm on a jag with all these music related blogs. I'm sure in the next few days, I'll be back to bitching about OJ and stuff like that. I mean, how can I not? There's always something going on (I just heard that Dominic Dunne was rushed to the hospital, while in the court watching the proceedings).
But last week, I was at my parents house when my stepdad told me Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright died. I was shocked.
I wasn't shocked when their original guitarist/singer Syd Barrett died. Back in the 60s, he was put in an insane asylum. They said he did so many drugs, he just completely went nuts one day, and was never the same.
And, as great as that first album, Piper at the Gates of Dawn, is....Syd Barrett was really overrated. I thought Roger Waters, who became the main songwriter, was so much more talented.
Although, I also felt bad for the other members of Floyd. Apparently, Waters was difficult. I heard a story that late in their career, he came to the studio with two concepts already completed. The Final Cut, or The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking. The band voted for The Final Cut. And, Waters kicked Wright out of the band at that point. It was the only Floyd record he wouldn't be on (and, it's a rather awful album...two good songs: Not Now John and Two Sunsets).
Wright's two most popular songs were from the most popular album of all-time. Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, as many know, stayed on the Billboard charts longer than any other record. From the time of its release, it was in the Top 100 for something like 29 straight years. You can thank classic rock radio for keeping most of the songs on it in their rotation, and having new generations of fans buying the record (and later, the CD).
He sang lead on "Time", a favorite of mine from that album. He also did the music piece "The Great Gig In the Sky." Some nice piano on that track. And, I like to think he's playing that now, up there with, instead of David Gilmour on guitar, Jimi playing that strat left handed beside him.
And, the screams that Pink Floyd used in all their songs, can be done by another Jim. Jim Morrison.
Roger Waters issued a wonderful statement upon his death. But to be honest, I don't think that was enough. When he heard of Wright's battle with cancer, I think he should've reached out.
When Tom Fogerty, the ryhthm guitarist of CCR, died...his brother John had visited in the hospital. He tried to patch things up, but it didn't work out.
Waters had to know how difficult he was to work with. Hell, once Waters bailed on Pink Floyd, they immediately brought Wright back in again.
There was talk about a Pink Floyd reunion.
One of my musician friends called me and said "I guess it won't happen now."
And, I think he's right. Sure, the Doors toured without Jim Morrison. And, The Who, as I've said, should be called The Two, since they only have Daltrey and Townshend alive still.
But Gilmoure has released solo records, and I assume he'll do that again.
Drummer Nick Mason, last I heard, was doing those rock 'n roll fantasy camps.
Who knows what the future will hold for them.
I'm just glad they gave me The Wall, Dark Side, Animals, and Wish You Were Here. Those are four of the best albums of the 70s.
And to think, they all came from one band.
I'm on a jag with all these music related blogs. I'm sure in the next few days, I'll be back to bitching about OJ and stuff like that. I mean, how can I not? There's always something going on (I just heard that Dominic Dunne was rushed to the hospital, while in the court watching the proceedings).
But last week, I was at my parents house when my stepdad told me Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright died. I was shocked.
I wasn't shocked when their original guitarist/singer Syd Barrett died. Back in the 60s, he was put in an insane asylum. They said he did so many drugs, he just completely went nuts one day, and was never the same.
And, as great as that first album, Piper at the Gates of Dawn, is....Syd Barrett was really overrated. I thought Roger Waters, who became the main songwriter, was so much more talented.
Although, I also felt bad for the other members of Floyd. Apparently, Waters was difficult. I heard a story that late in their career, he came to the studio with two concepts already completed. The Final Cut, or The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking. The band voted for The Final Cut. And, Waters kicked Wright out of the band at that point. It was the only Floyd record he wouldn't be on (and, it's a rather awful album...two good songs: Not Now John and Two Sunsets).
Wright's two most popular songs were from the most popular album of all-time. Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, as many know, stayed on the Billboard charts longer than any other record. From the time of its release, it was in the Top 100 for something like 29 straight years. You can thank classic rock radio for keeping most of the songs on it in their rotation, and having new generations of fans buying the record (and later, the CD).
He sang lead on "Time", a favorite of mine from that album. He also did the music piece "The Great Gig In the Sky." Some nice piano on that track. And, I like to think he's playing that now, up there with, instead of David Gilmour on guitar, Jimi playing that strat left handed beside him.
And, the screams that Pink Floyd used in all their songs, can be done by another Jim. Jim Morrison.
Roger Waters issued a wonderful statement upon his death. But to be honest, I don't think that was enough. When he heard of Wright's battle with cancer, I think he should've reached out.
When Tom Fogerty, the ryhthm guitarist of CCR, died...his brother John had visited in the hospital. He tried to patch things up, but it didn't work out.
Waters had to know how difficult he was to work with. Hell, once Waters bailed on Pink Floyd, they immediately brought Wright back in again.
There was talk about a Pink Floyd reunion.
One of my musician friends called me and said "I guess it won't happen now."
And, I think he's right. Sure, the Doors toured without Jim Morrison. And, The Who, as I've said, should be called The Two, since they only have Daltrey and Townshend alive still.
But Gilmoure has released solo records, and I assume he'll do that again.
Drummer Nick Mason, last I heard, was doing those rock 'n roll fantasy camps.
Who knows what the future will hold for them.
I'm just glad they gave me The Wall, Dark Side, Animals, and Wish You Were Here. Those are four of the best albums of the 70s.
And to think, they all came from one band.