Nick Mason’s Pompeii Pink Floyd
- While hundreds of thousands flocked to woodstock in the summer of 1969 to see acts like jimi Hendrix and The Who, Pink Floyd was notably absent.
- At the time,the band was transitioning from its early period with Syd Barrett.Following the release of 1968's A Saucerful of Secrets, Pink Floyd explored more fragmented and complex...
- mason has long admired the film of Woodstock.Pink Floyd also created their own cult film, Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii.
nick Mason Reflects on Pink Floyd’s Pompeii Performance, Woodstock Omission
While hundreds of thousands flocked to woodstock in the summer of 1969 to see acts like jimi Hendrix and The Who, Pink Floyd was notably absent. “It’s not that we seemed to have lost something, we were not so vital,” said Nick Mason in a recent interview. “We played on the New York scene in front of 150 people; we couldn’t think of going to Woodstock.”
At the time,the band was transitioning from its early period with Syd Barrett.Following the release of 1968’s A Saucerful of Secrets, Pink Floyd explored more fragmented and complex sounds with albums like Soundtrack from the Film “More” and Atom Heart Mother. This experimentation paved the way for the sound that would define their masterpieces of the 1970s, beginning with Meddle, released two years after woodstock. Tracks like Echoes and One of These Days foreshadowed the direction they would take with The Dark Side of the Moon.
Pink Floyd’s Cult Film: Live at Pompeii
mason has long admired the film of Woodstock.Pink Floyd also created their own cult film, Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii. The film features the band performing three songs in the ancient Roman amphitheater of Pompeii. absent of a live audience, the band played to the ruins under the scorching sun. Only the band’s roadie and director Adrian Maben’s crew witnessed the performances of Echoes,A Saucerful of Secrets,and One of These Days. “it is funny as we instantly got used to that idea,” Mason said, “to replace the public with an extraordinary place.”
Mason said he last viewed the film a couple of years ago. He said he was able to appreciate the band’s performance because the filming happened so quickly that he barely remembered making it. The film also includes songs performed in a Paris television studio, including the blues number Mademoiselle Nobs featuring a dog “singing,” and clips shot at Abbey Road during the recording of The Dark Side of the Moon. Additionally, the film shows the band members on excursions to Mount vesuvius, the volcano that buried Pompeii in 79 A.D.
Reflections on the Pompeii performance
The highlight of the film, released in 1972, remains the amphitheater sequence, with Roger Waters striking the gong, David Gilmour playing guitar, Rick Wright on piano, and Mason on drums. “Over six days we have gone from the vague interest to enthusiasm for that performance and I think that the relationship with the crew also helped us,” Mason said. “I like Roger’s image with the gong.”
Nick Mason on Pink Floyd: from Pompeii’s Amphitheater to Woodstock Absence – A Q&A
Why Wasn’t Pink Floyd at Woodstock?
Q: Why did Pink Floyd miss the Woodstock festival in 1969?
A: According to Nick Mason, Pink Floyd wasn’t a good fit for Woodstock. He stated, “It’s not that we seemed to have lost something, we were not so vital. We played on the New York scene in front of 150 people; we couldn’t think of going to Woodstock.” the band was still building its presence in the US at that time.
Q: What was Pink Floyd doing at the time of Woodstock?
A: Pink Floyd was evolving its psychedelic sound and experimenting with more complex song structures. They were in a transition phase after Syd Barrett departed, and exploring new musical territories that would led them to their defining sound of the 1970s.
Pink Floyd’s “Live at Pompeii”: A Cult Classic
Q: What’s the story behind Pink Floyd’s “Live at Pompeii” film?
A: “Pink Floyd: live at Pompeii” is a cult film featuring the band performing in the ancient Roman amphitheater of Pompeii.Remarkably, the performances took place without a live audience, with onyl the band’s road crew and the film crew present. The band played under the scorching sun, giving them an alternative atmosphere for their already experimental music.
Q: When was the “Live at Pompeii” film released, and what songs are featured?
A: The film was released in 1972. It features performances of the songs “Echoes”, “A Saucerful of Secrets”, and “One of These Days”.
Q: What other elements are included in the “Live at pompeii” film?
A: Beyond the Pompeii performances,the film includes:
Songs recorded in a Paris television studio,including the blues number “Mademoiselle Nobs,” which features a dog “singing.”
Clips from Abbey Road Studios during the recording of The Dark Side of the Moon.
footage of the band members exploring Mount Vesuvius.
Q: What does Nick Mason say about the film’s production?
A: mason mentions that the filming happened quickly and that he barely remembers making it. He appreciates the band’s performance.
Diving Deeper into the Pompeii Performance
Q: What was Nick Mason’s immediate reaction to playing in the Pompeii amphitheater?
A: Mason said that the band quickly got used to the idea of playing in an extraordinary place, replacing the public with the unique setting of Pompeii.
Q: What are Nick Mason’s reflections on the Pompeii performance?
A: Mason considers the amphitheater sequence to be film’s highlight. He mentions that the relationship between the band and the crew was helpful, and highlights Roger Waters’ image with the gong. Mason says that, over six days, they moved from “vague interest” to “enthusiasm” for the performance
Q: Who else was involved in the Pompeii amphitheater performances, besides Nick Mason?
A: The main amphitheater performances featured:
Roger Waters on the gong
David Gilmour playing guitar
Rick Wright on piano
Nick Mason on drums
Pink Floyd’s Musical evolution
Q: How did Pink Floyd’s music evolve after Woodstock and before the Dark Side of the Moon?
A: After the release of 1968’s A Saucerful of Secrets pink Floyd progressed through a period of experimentation with albums like Soundtrack from the Film “More” and Atom Heart Mother. These explorations lead them to their defining sound of the 1970s.Tracks like “Echoes” and “One of These Days” began to point to the musical direction they would pursue in The Dark Side of the Moon.
Q: What albums defined that experimentation period mentioned above?
A: soundtrack from the Film “More” and Atom Heart Mother.
Pink Floyd at a Glance: Before and After Woodstock
Q: how does Pink Floyd’s career relate to the Woodstock era?
A: While the band was not at Woodstock, the pivotal role of the festival in the landscape for psychedelic music is undeniable. Pink Floyd, in their own way, moved away from early efforts by building a more dynamic sound. The film of their “Live at Pompeii” performance demonstrates a distinctive approach to performance at the time, creating a unique artistic statement.
Q: How does Nick Mason view the film now?
A: He re-watched the film a couple of years ago and was able to appreciate the music.
| Feature | before Woodstock (approx.) | After Woodstock (approx.) |
|——————-|———————————–|————————————|
| Key Albums | The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, A Saucerful of Secrets | Meddle, The Dark Side of the Moon |
| Musical Style | Psychedelic rock, Syd Barrett’s influence | Progressive rock, experimental soundscapes, concept albums|
| Notable Events| Early UK performances, transition from Barrett | Live at Pompeii, global success |
| Iconic Tracks| “Arnold Layne,” “See Emily Play” | “Echoes”, “One of These Days”, albums like Meddle and The Dark Side of the Moon* |