Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965 by Syd Barrett (guitar, vocals), Nick Mason (drums), Roger Waters (bass guitar, vocals) and Richard Wright (keyboards, vocals), with David Gilmour (guitar, vocals) joining at the end of 1967. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experiments, philosophical lyrics, and elaborate live performances, and became a leading progressive rock band.
With Barrett as the principal songwriter, Pink Floyd released the singles "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play" and the debut studio album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" in 1967. David Gilmour joined the band later that year as guitarist and vocalist, and Barrett departed in 1968 due to mental health issues. All four remaining members contributed material, though Waters became the main lyricist and conceptual leader, developing the ideas behind the albums "The Dark Side of the Moon" (1973), "Wish You Were Here" (1975), "Animals" (1977), and "The Wall" (1979). The film "Pink Floyd The Wall" (1982), based on the album, received two BAFTA Awards. The band also produced several film scores.
Internal tensions led to Wright leaving in 1981 and Waters in 1985. Gilmour and Mason continued as Pink Floyd, later joined again by Wright. They recorded the studio albums "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" (1987) and "The Division Bell" (1994), each supported by major tours. In 2005, Gilmour, Mason, and Wright reunited with Waters for a performance at the Live 8 event. Barrett died in 2006 and Wright in 2008.
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