Today is a dark(er) day for classic rock. Although in recent years, Pink Floyd hasn't necessarily been the same, David Gilmour announced that the iconic psychedelic rock band has officially seen the end of its reign. Last year, Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason united to release an album in memory of the late keyboardist, Richard Wright, who died in 2008. Lacking the talents of bassist Roger Waters, the duo put fourth The Endless River, Pink Floyd's 15th and now final studio album.
The 69-year-old guitarist explained that it would be "fakery" to reunite with Mason and Waters because Pink Floyd has "run its course," the Toronto Sun reports. "I'm done with it. I've had 48 years in Pink Floyd - quite a few of those years at the beginning, with Roger," Gilmour told Classic Rock Magazine (via NME).
Gilmour initially joined the group in 1967, two years prior to the band's materialization including Syd Barrett, Mason, Waters and Wright. Barrett parted ways with Floyd in 1968 and turned to seclusion, where he stayed until his death in 2006. "And those years in what is now considered to be our heyday were 95 per cent musically fulfilling and joyous and full of fun and laughter. And I certainly don't want to let the other five per cent colour my view of what was a long and fantastic time together," he said.
Aside from tackling diverse projects, Gilmour finds it would simply be wrong to continue on without Wright. "I absolutely don't want to go back. I don't want to go and play stadiums ... under the [Pink Floyd] banner. I'm free to do exactly what I want to do and how I want to do it," Gilmour explained. "Obviously I accept there are people who want to go and see and hear this legend that was Pink Floyd, but I'm afraid that's not my responsibility," he added.
Launching into untouched territories, Gilmour recently announced details of his sophomore solo album, Rattle That Lock. Due out September 18, the 2015 album that uses prison choir vocals on the track of the same name is a follow-up to 2008's On An Island. From September 23rd to 25th, Gilmour will perform three consecutive shows at London's Royal Albert Hall and will continue on to play a string of gigs in North America for the first time in 10 years.
Pink Floyd has left behind timeless tunes of enjoyment for generations to come, having boasted classic albums from Dark Side of the Moon to The Wall to Wish You Were Here. Although the group will never see a reformation, fans can take solace in looking forward to both Gilmour and Waters' solo ventures as well as the upcoming Syd Barrett documentary titled Have You Got It?
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