Riding the Gravy Train
I love it, as they say, when a plan comes together.
In this issue of Spare Bricks, we examine Pink Floyd's relationship with the Music Industry. At times, the Floyds have shunned the Business, sticking to their artistic guns and thumbing their nose at both the record companies and the press, choosing to play the game by their own rules or not at all. And the fans love them for it.
At other times, the band has been more than willing to hop into bed with the Business and reap the rewards. And the fans, more often than not, love them for it.
When Rick Karhu and I dreamed up this theme a couple of years ago, we thought that the focus of the issue would be all of the little lyrical potshots Roger Waters has taken at the industry over the years, from "Cymbaline" to "Welcome to the Machine" to "What Shall We Do Now". And there are several articles that tackle just that.
But as more and more articles and columns kept pouring in from the staff, I found that a more common theme was not that the band had been anti-Industry, but rather that the Floyds had suckled the Industry teat time and time again, as it suited their needs.
That said, we'll let you be the judge.
Joe Penczak scores an exclusive interview with "Have a Cigar" vocalist Roy Harper.
Ed Paule examines how the Floyd's lyrics reflect the evolution from local heros to international superstars.
Chris Hogan visits a Roger Waters concert and discovers that Floyds have sold out.
Mike McInnis reviews the official Floydian websites.
Sean Zloch looks at how the success of The Dark Side of the Moon marked the beginning of the end for Pink Floyd.
Richard Mahon discusses the David Gilmour Signature Series pickup and amplifier.