Rick Wright, keyboardist and vocalist for the rock group Pink Floyd, died yesterday. He was there from the quirky early years and composed much of the music as the band evolved into an epic, operatic outfit during the 1970s. Thanks in part to being gassed out of their gourds about half the time, Pink Floyd moved from popular underground London spacerock band to the avant psychedelia of Syd Barrett and onto the worldwide stage as a juggernaut. Bands today are always speaking wishfully about their sound evolving, but Pink Floyd changed style and direction so often, actual chromosomes were mutating. Through all the genetic adaption, Rick Wright was there dutifully at the keyboard and God knows, when everyone is frying on acid all the time, holding it together is no easy chore.
Pink Flood is an easy ridicule. Johnny Rotten was, after all, discovered wearing a customized I Hate Pink Floyd t-shirt. Maybe it’s cuz Pink Floyd seemed to do pretty much whatever the fuck they wanted while Rotten did whatever Malcolm McLaren told him. To this day, Johnny Rotten, err Lydon, seems the exact character – a gutter snipe in rouge dressed in in granddad’s tattered clothes angrily barking at the moon. Railing against the success of others has been a “hallmark” of the punk ethos ever since, as have the scary cartoon outfits with buckles plaids.
Yet with Rick Wright’s sonic touch, Pink Floyd really was doing their own thing from the get-go. Who else would dream to name an album “Eclipse: A Piece for Assorted Lunatics” and still be able to sell a bajillion copies? That just might be what set Pink Floyd apart a bit; they dreamed some weird shit and made it happen. Rick Wright played keyboards and sang for the rock group Pink Floyd, and that means the band is no more. Shine on You Crazy Diamond.
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Being straight edge as a kid is a great way to rebel against: puking, getting pregnant, and wrapping your parent’s car around a tree.
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The “Pink” in Pink Floyd comes from Pink Anderson, a blues musician from Spartanburg, South Carolina, where his toothless son now plays in a bar called the Nu-Way lounge. Last night, Little Pink Anderson, as he’s called, came in and played Wish You Were Here in memory of Wright. Ten or so years ago when Pink Floyd was the coolest thing I’d ever heard that would have made me cry, but I wouldn’t have been allowed into the bar, so. Eh. Any Color you Like was great.
09.16.08 at 12:36 pm
Those dudes look like they could be jamming on a williamsburg rooftop tonite. Except for the keyboard/singer I suppose
09.16.08 at 1:03 pm
I am gonna miss these guys—
Big man, pig man, ha ha, charade you are
You well heeled big wheel, ha ha , charade you are
And when your hand is on your heart
You’re nearly a good laugh
Almost a joker
With your head down in the pig bin
Saying “Keep on digging”
Pig stain on your fat chin
What do you hope to find?
When you’re down in the pig mine
You’re nearly a laugh
You’re nearly a laugh
But you’re really a cry
Bus stop, rat bag, ha ha, charade you are
You fucked up old hag, ha ha, charade you are
You radiate cold shafts of broken glass
You’re nearly a good laugh
Almost worth a quick grin
You like the feel of steel
You’re hot stuff with a hat pin
And good fun with a hand gun
You’re nearly a laugh
You’re nearly a laugh
But you’re really a cry
Hey you, White house, ha ha, charade you are
You house proud town mouse, ha ha, charade you are
You’re trying to keep our feelings of the street
You’re nearly a real treat
All tight lips cold feet
And do you feel abused?
…! …! …! …!
You gotta stem the evil tide
And keep it all on the inside
Mary you’re nearly a treat
Mary you’re nearly a treat
But you’re really a cry
09.16.08 at 2:05 pm
johnny “rotten” defintely is a ‘mo..dont know how anyone ever bought into that shit..
09.16.08 at 2:32 pm