Why Pink Floyd?
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42321
Printed Date: December 01 2024 at 17:52
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Topic: Why Pink Floyd?
Posted By: Starvsnr
Subject: Why Pink Floyd?
Date Posted: October 05 2007 at 21:31
| 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? |
Replies:
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: October 05 2007 at 21:37
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Hmm, successful because they managed to make a lot of money (not always particularly for themselves), most likely due to a comination reasonably good promotion, dumb luck, and decent music. They have really become a dry well lately, so to speak, yet still have something interesting for those who are discovering them in recent times.
------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: October 05 2007 at 21:43
drugs man..... the ultimate stoner group.... everyone relates to that..
------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: rileydog22
Date Posted: October 05 2007 at 21:57
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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.).
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Posted By: Hirgwath
Date Posted: October 05 2007 at 22:12
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They struck a balance between good music and good music. That is, music that's good to listen to, and well-written music.
------------- Skwisgaar Skwigelf: taller than a tree. Toki Wartooth: not a bumblebee. |
Posted By: Cheesecakemouse
Date Posted: October 05 2007 at 22:25
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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. |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: October 05 2007 at 22:32
or to take your balance theme...they simply struck a balance between music that 'hits' you... strikes that nerve. and lyricism that is thoughtful... without being hokey or too obtuse. Accessibility... that is the key to Floyd's success... the art and sprit of prog...that even the yokels who listen to Skynnrd could dig. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Hirgwath wrote:Posted By: Shakespeare
Date Posted: October 05 2007 at 22:35
| They were my favourite before I found PA....then, all of a sudden, I was enlightened. |
Posted By: ProgBagel
Date Posted: October 06 2007 at 23:09
| Most popular because they hit the mainstream. You could find their albums in any retail store that sells Cd's. |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: October 07 2007 at 15:34
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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. |
Posted By: sircosick
Date Posted: October 07 2007 at 17:28
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My question exactly and actually all the answers too....... PF's popularity is a fact, as some people who like the average prog simply can't get into them..... as me xD
------------- The best you can is good enough... |
Posted By: therevelator
Date Posted: October 08 2007 at 20:24
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it is rather interesting....
they made some very very strange music earlier in their career, some songs stranger than others.
when dark side of the moon came out it must have been the radio-friendly bits that were really easily accesable by most people, because that album was a huge success.
it even shows when Animals was released, that album didn't get much radio play because of the long, more experimental tracks.
Also, most people you ask and recognize Pink Floyd, they'll say THE WALL and DSOTM.... their 2 most popular albums, but not nearly their best (WYWH, which was also rather popular, Atom Heart Mother, and A Piper at the Gates of Dawn)
so when they took big, impressive music, and shortened it to amazing, short songs, it was a big step for a lot of listeners (but don't take my word for it... i was born like 24 years after it came out, this is my guess) ------------- "it's full of stars...." |
Posted By: mrcozdude
Date Posted: October 09 2007 at 11:03
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Because.. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/cozfunkel/" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: October 09 2007 at 11:09
I guess it's primarily because of The Wall. It was a huge success way beyond the confinement of "prog". ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Mike" rel="nofollow">Recently listened to: 
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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: October 09 2007 at 20:24
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Simplicity, the foundation of mainstream appeal. That goes for anyhthing, not just music. ------------- https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow">  https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp |
Posted By: The Whistler
Date Posted: October 10 2007 at 04:39
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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). ------------- "There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson |
Posted By: Hat of Truth
Date Posted: October 13 2007 at 04:14
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Just has some has said. They where most "mainstream-sounding" of all bands. |
Posted By: Certif1ed
Date Posted: October 13 2007 at 04:30
"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. ------------- The important thing is not to stop questioning. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: October 13 2007 at 04:39
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I believe Pink was a bluesman (guitar/singer?)... just heard a really interesting CD called In Search of Syd, an assortment of artists that influenced him as a young musician, as well as those influenced by him later... worth a listen if you're into Floydology |
Posted By: Easy Money
Date Posted: October 13 2007 at 04:43
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. |
Posted By: Certif1ed
Date Posted: October 13 2007 at 08:17
That'll teach me to read the bio's properly... I hunted down an original Floyd Cramer LP and wondered how on earth it inspired Pink Floyd...  ------------- The important thing is not to stop questioning. |
Posted By: Easy Money
Date Posted: October 13 2007 at 09:07
| Oh Well, I misspelled Syd. |