Nick Mason has toured with Pink Floyd from the beginning, through the leadership eras of Syd Barrett, Roger Waters and David Gilmour. He is, in fact, the only stalwart element holding Pink Floyd’s many permutations together.
Unsurprisingly, then, he was more than ready to tour behind Pink Floyd’s latest release, The Endless River, even in the wake of fellow co-founder Richard Wright’s untimely passing. Alas, David Gilmour nixed that idea early on and, in time, Mason has come to understand why — even if he’s still not entirely content to cool his heels.
“It would be nice if we could do it,” Nick Mason tells Sound Opinions, “but I absolutely accept it’s difficult from so many points of view. Apart from David not wishing to go out on the road again, and wanting to get on with being David Gilmour for a while, I think there are other issues, as well.”
After all, Richard Wright’s absence wouldn’t just mean something nostalgic was missing, but something very real in the way that so much of their music was constructed. Wright played a key role in several of Pink Floyd’s most memorable moments, from “Astronomy Domine” and “Echoes” to “Us and Them” and “Marooned.” And he provided a posthumous spark for The Endless River, which was built around jam sessions from the sessions for 1994’s The Division Bell.
“The fact that Rick’s no longer with us would mean we couldn’t actually play it in the way that it was sort of intended and made — as in, with Rick improvising,” Mason adds. “There may be another keyboard player out there who has those same skills, but I think it’s unlikely he’d have the same melodic approach.”
- Angell & Crane, “Himalayan Dial-Up” from ‘Angell & Crane’ (2024): Video Premiere - November 22, 2024
- Michael Attias, “Avrils” from ‘Quartet Music Vol. II- Kardamon Fall’ (2024): Streaming premiere - October 11, 2024
- Bryn Roberts, “Aloft” from ‘Aloft’ (2024): Video Premiere - September 20, 2024
No point in touring an album that’s mostly 20 years old outtakes. “The Endless River” could have been an excellent bonusalbum on the 20th Anniversary edition of “Division Bell” or something. Just milkin’ the cow if you ask me. Now let’s enjoy David’s new album and tour instead…
The “Old Man Tour?” Sure, a bunch of rehearsal gigs in roman amphitheaters, such a great idea! and one night rehearsal in a arena then 5 nights London? I predict a Christmas DVD release to supplement his new album.
Although I look forward to hearing his new album I think it’ll be on the trend of sounding like On a Island. I I see nothing wrong with saying, I’d would much rather attend another Pink Floyd concert over these old man tours.
No need for an album to tour behind. Records are strictly for the record company anyway.
I know being on tour without your fellow members wouldn’t be the same but saying the music wouldn’t be the same is nonsense because Syd Barrett and Richard Wright’s influence would still be there because it is in every ones soul , Please guys do a final tour if not for us but your mates , its what they would have wanted ,
Something like Queen playing without Freddie? No, thank you.
I am sorry you feel that way but are you saying that if a band member dies or leaves that the rest of the band should give up ? Personally I am glad they kept going because they have brought to the world some great music and don’t get me wrong I love Roger Waters music as well , Syd Barrett and Richard Wright would be proud of what Pink Floyd has brought to the world , Live long and prosper PINK FLOYD
They can still form a new band. Such like when the original Karnataka exploded thanks to Ian Jones’ ego, the remaining band members continued under the name Panic Room. When Iain Jennings quit Breathing Space, the remaining band members called themselves Stolen Earth. And THAT band was after one album again renamed into Cloud Atlas. Some band members cannot be replaced, end of story. Or are you perhaps thinking there’s no reason John Illsley and Alan Clark cannot perform together under the name Dire Straits, even without Mark Knopfler?