Every fan dreams of their favourite band getting back together and giving it a final shot before heading off into the sunset once and for all.
This summer, many rock lovers were satiated when against all odds, Black Sabbath delivered their all-star concluding performance, only a matter of weeks before ailing frontman Ozzy Osbourne passed away, with them just the latest influential act to bring the curtain down on a spectacular career.
It was a reminder of the magic of such an occasion, with it undoubtedly heightening the wishes of the droves who dream of Pink Floyd getting back together for one last waltz. Unfortunately for them, however, according to vocalist and guitarist David Gilmour, it isn’t going to happen.
The last time the classic lineup of Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright and Nick Mason performed together was on July 2nd, 2005 at London’s Live 8 concert, which was in turn, their first since 1981.
In itself, the now-iconic London show was a remarkable coming together, as it followed Waters’ acrimonious departure from the band in 1985 and protracted legal battle over rights to the use of the band’s name. Furthermore, fans need to accept it as the final time the lineup behind the likes of The Dark Side of the Moon will ever perform again.
This is for various reasons. One, is that since that moment, the schism between former songwriting partners Gilmour and Waters has reached new lows. This is mainly due to political reasons, with Waters facing allegations of antisemitism, and his controversial stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine stoking derision, which Gilmour and his wife, Polly Sampson, have made it clear they do not agree with.
Another key factor is that keyboardist Wright, an original, and instrumental cog in Pink Floyd, sadly passed away in 2008.
There have been several volleys between Gilmour and Waters over the past few years, and in 2021, before the situation became so public and intensely personal, the former explained why he’s happy for there never to be a fourth act for the ‘Breathe’ band.
Speaking to Guitar Player in 2021, he said: “No. I’m done with it. I’ve had a life in Pink Floyd for quite a lot of years, and quite a few of those years at the beginning, with Roger. 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.
He continued: “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. But it has run its course, we are done, and it would be fakery to go back and do it again. And to do it without Rick [Wright] would just be wrong.
Diplomatically, Gilmour maintained that he was happy for Waters continuing to play The Wall live, but he had no interest in going back. He’s at peace with never playing stadiums again, and feels free to do what he wants. That’s precisely what he did on 2024’s refreshing Luck and Strange, his finest solo effort to date.
Editors’ Picks
- Band Reunions
- Classic Rock
- David Gilmour
- Live 8
- Luck and Strange
- Nick Mason
- Pink Floyd
- Richard Wright
- Roger Waters
- The Dark Side of the Moon
