Why Pink Floyd?

Oh Well, I misspelled Syd.

Certif1ed wrote: rileydog22 wrote: Let's see....they originated as a psyche/pop group and they never really left those roots.  Animals and the two Shine On tracks may be deep prog, but the most of the rest of their stuff is either incredibly accessible (Dark Side, The Wall, most of Wish) or utterly forgettable (Saucerful of Secrets, Ummagumma, etc.).     "Saucerful..." is hardly utterly unforgettable - the final section is amazingly catchy.   Not to mention that this single song is used as the basis for hundreds of other pieces written by early 1970s prog and prog-related bands - notably in the sphere of Kosmische music.   One single example that springs to mind is "Black Mass: An Electric Storm in Hell" by White Noise (1969), which uses the percussion section of "Saucerful" as its backdrop.   Oh, and Floyd originated as a Blues/Jug band - I've temporarily forgotten who Pink was, but Floyd was Floyd Cramer, the legendary pianist. "Piper..." shows two very clear directions the band took simultaneously - twisted, psychedelic pop/rock songs and long, spacey, architected compositions featuring plenty of far-out experimental and random improvisation.   It's this combination of tight composition and improvisation that forms the basis of Prog Rock.

No, not Floyd Cramer ... the band is named for two of Sid's favorite Georgia blues guys, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council.

As for their success, longevity, and they were one of the early bands to capitalize on stadium gigs, that is what made a lot of bands huge. That and the stoner thing.

rileydog22 wrote: Let's see....they originated as a psyche/pop group and they never really left those roots.  Animals and the two Shine On tracks may be deep prog, but the most of the rest of their stuff is either incredibly accessible (Dark Side, The Wall, most of Wish) or utterly forgettable (Saucerful of Secrets, Ummagumma, etc.).

I'd have to go with accessability (same reason why Yes was so popular. Heh). The "classic" Floyd sound (Dark Side, Wish, you know what I mean) was like a perfect blend of psycho art-pop. Easy enough to listen to for the masses, but intelligent enough for the snobby w**kers such as ourselves. Which is, doubtlessly, why I like the Waters era stuff better (there's more Heavy Horses than Dark Side about Animals).

Starvsnr wrote: It has been a over a year since I have been listening to prog rock.  After getting my feet wet and listening to different bands, I was wondering why Pink Floyd comes out as one of the most successful prog bands.  I am sure we have all been in the situation when your naming your favorite bands and Pink Floyd is the only one anyone recognizes.  I enjoy there music very much, but I favor many other bands above them, as I think we all do.  I wanted to hear from other prog listeners what you guys think separates Pink Floyd from anyone else.  What makes them the most popular?

I guess it's primarily because of The Wall. It was a huge success way beyond the confinement of "prog".

it is rather interesting....

Their music is simple, but effective. There's never too much going on, most of it's in 4/4 time, they're good to get mashed to, and of course they were promoted very well.

Most non proggers dont seem to regard them as prog, anyway.

They were my favourite before I found PA....then, all of a sudden, I was enlightened. 

1.) Accessibility, balanced with a ponderous pace that gives the music a sense of depth.

2.)The Wall - was full of angst self  pity - very popular at the time during punk, and a universal feeling amongst all teens.

3.) Syd Barrett is an icon of Psychodelia, proto punk, and the 60s - his music was fashionable with punks, eg the Cure's Robert Smith, the Sex Pistols tried to 'work' with SSyd, Syd Vicious was named after Syd Barrett -(J Rotton initially said he hated Floyd but later admitted he 'couldn't hate them')

4.) Therefore the buying public  of Floyd is all ages - old proggers, old punks and new wavers, teens etc


Its funny though, I have a lot of Floyd albums but I don't really listen to them how I used to, but Syd Barrett was really the key for my musical appreciation and interest in prog.

Let's see....they originated as a psyche/pop group and they never really left those roots.  Animals and the two Shine On tracks may be deep prog, but the most of the rest of their stuff is either incredibly accessible (Dark Side, The Wall, most of Wish) or utterly forgettable (Saucerful of Secrets, Ummagumma, etc.).