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Inside Out : A Personal History of Pink Floyd
One of the most fascinating rock bands ever, Pink Floyd was formed in 1965. After a year in the London 'underground' when they experimented with revolutionary techniques like lights which matched their music, they released their first single in 1966. Their breakthrough album, THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, was released in 1973 and stayed in the charts until 1982, the longest a record has ever been continuously in the charts, becoming one of the best-selling all-time albums. In 1975 they released WISH YOU WERE HERE which reached iconic status. THE WALL in 1979 went to number 1 in almost every country in the world. The movie version of THE WALL staring Bob Geldof was released in 1982 becoming a cult favorite. In the 1980s a rift developed between the band members which culminated in law suits. Only recently have there been reconciliations which have allowed founder member Nick Mason to write the definitive history of the band.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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August 8, 2016
Unlike the previous books about the band, Mason's "Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd" book takes on a more personal and light-hearted approach to the history of the band. Mason states "It's hopefully a rather funny book about a serious band.".
Working on the book for ten years, Mason drew from his personal observations and memorabilia, as well as the recollections of band members, associates and friends. "When I started it," he recalls, "I thought this was going to be the official band history, and it just became apparent that whatever I wrote was never going to be acceptable to everyone in the band. It was resolved by calling it 'a personal history.' With the publication of the book I didn't lose the friendship of Roger, David or Richard Wright."
In the book, Mason writes candidly of the moment when the other band members decided not to pick up their singer Syd Barrett, who had a drug-induced breakdown, en route to a gig in 1968, thus effectively kicking him out of the band.
Mason describes how "Dark Side Of The Moon" and it's phenomenal success, the 1973 album is the longest charting album in history, made for strained relationships in the band. Mason sais "It wasn't so much that Roger took over. It was more of a sense that the songwriters had more control of their individual songs."
Mason also has a fair depiction of the band's former creative force, Roger Waters, who tried unsuccessfully in 1986 to dissolve the band and to prevent Mason and Gilmour from using the "Pink Floyd" name.
This is an interesting book for those who seek information and history of the band.
Working on the book for ten years, Mason drew from his personal observations and memorabilia, as well as the recollections of band members, associates and friends. "When I started it," he recalls, "I thought this was going to be the official band history, and it just became apparent that whatever I wrote was never going to be acceptable to everyone in the band. It was resolved by calling it 'a personal history.' With the publication of the book I didn't lose the friendship of Roger, David or Richard Wright."
In the book, Mason writes candidly of the moment when the other band members decided not to pick up their singer Syd Barrett, who had a drug-induced breakdown, en route to a gig in 1968, thus effectively kicking him out of the band.
Mason describes how "Dark Side Of The Moon" and it's phenomenal success, the 1973 album is the longest charting album in history, made for strained relationships in the band. Mason sais "It wasn't so much that Roger took over. It was more of a sense that the songwriters had more control of their individual songs."
Mason also has a fair depiction of the band's former creative force, Roger Waters, who tried unsuccessfully in 1986 to dissolve the band and to prevent Mason and Gilmour from using the "Pink Floyd" name.
This is an interesting book for those who seek information and history of the band.
February 20, 2019
Drummer Nick Mason is Pink Floyd's only member from the beginning to the present. The band has experienced many ups and downs, so there's plenty to tell for Mason in this personal story of the band, which was published after many corrections by the other three musicians in 2004. My interest in Nick Mason raised, when I saw him with his band A Saucerful of Secrets last autumn. They played all the psychodelic music from beginning of the band. It was amazing, how powerful this kind of rock music still is, when you see the old men live on stage.
Mason has no literary ambitions, his retrospective is strictly chronological and he likes to tell anecdotes on important events. This unnecessarily lengthens the book in some chapters, especially when Mason has to tell all the names of crewmembers, fellow musicians, and producers. The first half of the book, the founding, the creative phase of Syd Barrett and the enormous success at the beginning of the 70's with Dark Side and Wish You Were Here were very interesting. A great chronicle of one of the best rock bands with a lot of information for nerds and nice pictures. Shine On.
Mason has no literary ambitions, his retrospective is strictly chronological and he likes to tell anecdotes on important events. This unnecessarily lengthens the book in some chapters, especially when Mason has to tell all the names of crewmembers, fellow musicians, and producers. The first half of the book, the founding, the creative phase of Syd Barrett and the enormous success at the beginning of the 70's with Dark Side and Wish You Were Here were very interesting. A great chronicle of one of the best rock bands with a lot of information for nerds and nice pictures. Shine On.
February 24, 2026
Most people have a musician or a band they carry in their hearts for a lifetime.
For me, that band is Pink Floyd.
I first discovered them in my freshman year at university. At the same time, I was working a part-time job. Classes were hard, and the truth was, I didn’t want to study economics — that was my mother’s wish. While I dreamed of studying art history, I found myself buried in numbers, statistics, charts, and the unnecessary stock-market stories of the private tutor I was taking lessons from. It was, quite literally, a dark age.
Then, trying to escape all that weight, I met someone and we became a couple. We were two completely different people, but thanks to him, I discovered Pink Floyd. For six months — yes, every single day — I listened to Wish You Were Here. Our shift supervisor (damn him) kept scheduling us on different shifts, deliberately keeping us apart. The song slowly became mine. I claimed it.
But despite that beautiful song, our paths eventually separated. I hope he’s happy.
Sixteen years have passed since then.
And yet Pink Floyd is still everywhere in my life. (My T-shirt from H&M’s Pink Floyd collection is still my favorite.)
And this book… now let’s talk about that.
Honestly, I can’t remember exactly when I first read Inside Out. I only remember reading the English edition with some help. Seeing it again now, completely by chance, I added it to my list with excitement. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me emotional. As I write these lines, Wish You Were Here is playing in the background, taking me back to those exhausting yet sweet years — and to the moments we spent hanging out in my boyfriend’s student apartment, listening to that song on his computer.
That’s what songs do.
When you hear them, they bring memories closer, like a familiar scent.
They rise from deep inside and suddenly, they’re there.
Even though the “man you can’t help falling for” in the band is David Gilmour for me, this book gave me the chance to get to know Nick Mason — the backbone of Pink Floyd — much more closely. Experiencing the band’s extraordinary story through his voice, beyond the music itself, was something entirely different.
The book truly lives up to its title.
It shows how deeply “of the people” Pink Floyd really is — how much they belong to everyone. It doesn’t mythologize or polish their story; it humanizes it.
If you often feel like you’re standing on the opposite side of where everyone else stands,
if you’re searching for something of yourself outside popular culture,
read this book.
And right after that, please listen to Wish You Were Here — for me.
For me, that band is Pink Floyd.
I first discovered them in my freshman year at university. At the same time, I was working a part-time job. Classes were hard, and the truth was, I didn’t want to study economics — that was my mother’s wish. While I dreamed of studying art history, I found myself buried in numbers, statistics, charts, and the unnecessary stock-market stories of the private tutor I was taking lessons from. It was, quite literally, a dark age.
Then, trying to escape all that weight, I met someone and we became a couple. We were two completely different people, but thanks to him, I discovered Pink Floyd. For six months — yes, every single day — I listened to Wish You Were Here. Our shift supervisor (damn him) kept scheduling us on different shifts, deliberately keeping us apart. The song slowly became mine. I claimed it.
But despite that beautiful song, our paths eventually separated. I hope he’s happy.
Sixteen years have passed since then.
And yet Pink Floyd is still everywhere in my life. (My T-shirt from H&M’s Pink Floyd collection is still my favorite.)
And this book… now let’s talk about that.
Honestly, I can’t remember exactly when I first read Inside Out. I only remember reading the English edition with some help. Seeing it again now, completely by chance, I added it to my list with excitement. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me emotional. As I write these lines, Wish You Were Here is playing in the background, taking me back to those exhausting yet sweet years — and to the moments we spent hanging out in my boyfriend’s student apartment, listening to that song on his computer.
That’s what songs do.
When you hear them, they bring memories closer, like a familiar scent.
They rise from deep inside and suddenly, they’re there.
Even though the “man you can’t help falling for” in the band is David Gilmour for me, this book gave me the chance to get to know Nick Mason — the backbone of Pink Floyd — much more closely. Experiencing the band’s extraordinary story through his voice, beyond the music itself, was something entirely different.
The book truly lives up to its title.
It shows how deeply “of the people” Pink Floyd really is — how much they belong to everyone. It doesn’t mythologize or polish their story; it humanizes it.
If you often feel like you’re standing on the opposite side of where everyone else stands,
if you’re searching for something of yourself outside popular culture,
read this book.
And right after that, please listen to Wish You Were Here — for me.
February 17, 2014
قسمت هیجانانگیز ولگردی توی کتابفروشیهای پیزوری اینه که بیخبر و ناگهان، چشم تو چشم کتابی بشی که انتظار دیدنش رو نداری؛ یه چیزی مثل غافلگیر شدن با چشمهای هار معشوق. از اون کتابها که تا از قفسه میکشی بیرون میدونی مال توئه. از اونهایی که وحشی نگاهش میکنی... بیپلک زدن. خیره میشی به جلد سیاهش. به عکس سیاه و سفید پشت جلد. به عکس پنج نفرهشون. به سید برتی که اون تهمهها محو و مبهم هست. کتاب رو زیر و رو میکنی. کاغذهای گلاسهاش رو ورق میزنی و خیره میشی به عکسهایی که هیچوقت ندیدی. به راجر واترز، به دیوید گیلمور. به پشت و رو: تاریخچهی خصوصی پینک فلوید. راوی هم آشناست؛ نیک میسون. تنها عضو گروه که توی این مسیر پر پیچ و خم قهر و آشتی همیشه بوده و نواخته. چی بهتر از این؟
January 15, 2019
Firstly I grew up as a teenager listening to Pink Floyd.
I remember to this day playing "Dark Side Of The Moon" to my mum and Dad, they said well not sure about this music, but it grew on them as well. I was a 70's teenager, love glam rock.
I love my music, and great to read about their lives, the work involved in making an album, the difficulty of working with some large egos, the finances, the arguments, the travelling, the disagreements.
The sad ending of two members of Pink Floyd, it makes me realise I am getting older.
So you may ask why only three stars for a book/group I loved and to still listen too.
The book sometimes becomes a little heavy, especially with names, names of every crew member, manager, agent, lightning and all sorts of team members including Tom, Dick and Harry....
Nick Mason does give an interesting semi-independent opinion of the battles within the group, the egos, the finance set up. How much travelling is involved every time you release an album.
Part of this book is that due to the respect of other members of the group, the manuscript for this book was passed and approved by all members of Pink Floyd but their is an open honesty from Nick Mason.
Nick also loved motor racing, cars, and has four children who supported his role in Pink Floyd.
So interesting but sometimes a bit slow and heavy, but love Pink Floyd you will still enjoy this book
I do think Nick Masons comes across as a true English gentleman with wit, who does border on the safe side.
Three stars
I remember to this day playing "Dark Side Of The Moon" to my mum and Dad, they said well not sure about this music, but it grew on them as well. I was a 70's teenager, love glam rock.
I love my music, and great to read about their lives, the work involved in making an album, the difficulty of working with some large egos, the finances, the arguments, the travelling, the disagreements.
The sad ending of two members of Pink Floyd, it makes me realise I am getting older.
So you may ask why only three stars for a book/group I loved and to still listen too.
The book sometimes becomes a little heavy, especially with names, names of every crew member, manager, agent, lightning and all sorts of team members including Tom, Dick and Harry....
Nick Mason does give an interesting semi-independent opinion of the battles within the group, the egos, the finance set up. How much travelling is involved every time you release an album.
Part of this book is that due to the respect of other members of the group, the manuscript for this book was passed and approved by all members of Pink Floyd but their is an open honesty from Nick Mason.
Nick also loved motor racing, cars, and has four children who supported his role in Pink Floyd.
So interesting but sometimes a bit slow and heavy, but love Pink Floyd you will still enjoy this book
I do think Nick Masons comes across as a true English gentleman with wit, who does border on the safe side.
Three stars
November 8, 2025
All about Pink Floyd, by the drummer Nick Mason, I must admit that I chose it because I wanted to read about his famous car collection, but very soon I got stuck in it. This book is fascinating, I couldn’t put it down. I was into psychedelic music and it didn’t come more psychedelic than Pink Floyd, I remember Arnold Layne and See Emily play, and also my big brother going on about “Be careful with that axe, Eugene” , you can’t find a better title than that, I listened to it again recently and it really is awful! I can’t understand how that band survived till 1973 when they suddenly blasted back into my consciousness with Dark side of the moon. I knew a girl at work who astonished me by trying to go to all their concerts, sadly I never saw them. Mostly I liked them.
This is well written, I enjoyed Nick Masons self-deprecating humour and of course reading about his cars and aviation interest.
Definitely one of the better rock star autobiographies.
I was very happy to see that Nick Mason’s first real sports-car was a Lotus Elan, here’s a picture of mine:
This is well written, I enjoyed Nick Masons self-deprecating humour and of course reading about his cars and aviation interest.
Definitely one of the better rock star autobiographies.
I was very happy to see that Nick Mason’s first real sports-car was a Lotus Elan, here’s a picture of mine:
September 14, 2026
Ево за промјену нечег мање депресивног од претходне двије књиге! У ствари, ово је заправо прилично забавно штиво, ако изузмемо дио са менталним суновратом Сида Барета. И чињеницу да су непосредно након издавања књиге (која се иначе завршава врло солидним хепиендом у виду поновног (и, испоставило се, посљедњег) окупљања класичне поставе бенда за потребе Ливе 8 концерта) овај свијет напустили сам Барет (2006) и Ричард Рајт (2008). И чињеницу да су се због рата у Украјини Вотерс и Гилмор поново посвађали на мртво име. Ал шта да се ради.
Елем, мислим да не морам посебно да наглашавам свима јасну и потпуно неконтроверзну чињеницу да је Пинк Флојд највећи рок бенд свих времена и укупно друга највећа ствар у историји музике, одмах након једног соло извођача, за којег вјерујем да ће се и сам релативно брзо појавити на овим страницама, тј. на овом сајту, тј. на "мом" одјељку овог сајта. Због тога и приличи да бенд добије своју (мање-више) званичну биографију и такође приличи да то напише управо Ник Мејсон, човјек који можда јесте најмање учествовао у писању пјесама, али је зато једини који је био са бендом од почетка до краја. Мислим да нема потребе да посебно наглашавам оно што апсолутно сви знају, наиме да је Дејвид Гилмор ту тек од другог албума, док Ричард Рајт није свирао на Тхе Финал Цут, јер га је Вотерс раније ногирао из бенда. Поред тога, испоставило се да је г. Мејсон заправо прилично духовит човјек, те ова књига обилује многим одличним реченицама и духовитостима, а на неким мјестима сам се буквално искидао од смијеха. Да ли је баш све ово дјело самог Мејсона или је ту утицаја имао неки духовити дух-писац, немам појма, али то није ни толико битно - битно је да је садржај књиге такав какав јесте (за разлику од неких других књига, чији је садржај такав какав није - не подносим такве књиге).
Књига у потпуности оправдава свој поднаслов. Ово је историја Пинк Флојда, а не аутобиографија Ника Мејсона или неког другог, тако да смо милосрдно поштеђени приватних живота протагониста (нпр. разноразних брачних невјерности и сличних ствари), осим у оној мјери у којој је то имало директног утицаја на сам бенд, као што је на примјер ментални суноврат Сида Барета. Књига детаљно излаже (скромне) почетке бенда, свирање по разноразним психоделичним клубовима и сл. и постепено напредовање ка највећем рок бенду и другој највећој ствари у историји музике.
Поред факта да је г. Мејсон неоспорно духовит човјек, он је изгледа и врло скроман човјек. Због тога књига обилује не баш похвалним коментарима о свирачком умијећу чланова бенда, а први дио је пун дијелова у којима они оду да слушају неки бенд и констатују колико су ови бољи и професионалнији музичари. Иронија је, наравно, у томе што за један дио ових бендова нико живи никад није ни чуо, док многи други нису догурали даље од музичке фусноте, док је, као што знамо, Пинк Флојд највећи рок бенд свих времена. Узмимо за примјер Тхе Нице. Чули сте за Тхе Нице? Вјерујем да ће бар половина вас да одговори "За кога???". У оној другој половини сасвим сигурно се налазе врло озбиљни музички посвећеници који су свјесни да је то бенд у коме је свирао Кеитх Емерсон прије него што је формирао ЕЛП, али мислим да је потребно да се буде баш баш загрижени фан прогресивног рока да бисте знали да набројите неку њихову пјесму или албум. Ту је негдје и једна од моје двије замјерке на ову књигу - нисам сигуран да је Ник довољно нагласио колико је Пинк Флојд велики бенд, и то не због разноразних психоделичних експеримената, политичког ангажовања, летећих свиња и сличних ствари, већ зато што су свирали апсолутно феноменалну музику.
Моја друга замјерка односи се на процјене значаја и оцјене квалитета појединачних албума бенда. Ово су, наравно, потпуно субјективне процјене (ако за тренутак игноришемо количину згрнуте лове и трајање на врховима топ листа), тако да то не можемо да узмемо као објективну замјерку, али како је моја субјективна процјена најобјективнија на свијету, онда морам да кажем сљедеће: Ник Мејсон, као и већина критичара и новинара и обожавалаца и њима сличних, сматра да је фаза доминације Роџера Вотерса, изузимајући Тхе Финал Цут (током којег је бенд већ био мање-више распаднут) креативни врхунац бенда и да су им албуми од Тхе Дарк Сиде оф тхе Моон па до Тхе Њалл најбољи у каталогу. Као неко коме су по омиљености на прва три мјеста (у током година стално мијењајућем редослиједу) Атом Хеарт Мотхер, Меддле и А Моментарз Лапсе оф Реасон, не могу а да не протестујем. Дарк Сиде, Њисх Зоу Њере Хере, Анималс и Тхе Њалл су феноменални албуми (и Тхе Финал Цут је одличан, свидјело се то Вотерсовим мрзитељима или не), али то су ипак углавном стандардни рок албуми и за мене немају онај "зинг!" као ови које сам набројао. Кад угасиш свјетло и затвориш очи и пустиш Ецхоес на неким добрим слушалицама и пропутујеш дваес и кусур минута у неком другом свијету, ђе тако нешто можете да нађете на Тхе Њалл или Анималсима? Нигдје, ето гдје. Привлачност Пинк Флојда за мене је увијек била у њиховим музичким експериментима, који се никад нису, као код швапских краутрокера, претварали у глупирање и дрљање по шерпама и слично, него су увијек остајали МУЗИКА. Протестних пјесама о корумпираним политичарима и сличним стварима има на извоз. Поред тога, апсолутно одбијам сваку критику на рачун одличне пјесме Сеамус.
Ово је и згодна прилика да споменем реакцију свог рођака Владимира, иначе школованог џез гитаристе, кад смо слушали А Моментарз Лапсе оф Реасон одмах након неких албума Џоа Сатријанија и Стива Ваија: "Ово је ипак много боља музика од оне двојице кењатора."
Елем, мислим да не морам посебно да наглашавам свима јасну и потпуно неконтроверзну чињеницу да је Пинк Флојд највећи рок бенд свих времена и укупно друга највећа ствар у историји музике, одмах након једног соло извођача, за којег вјерујем да ће се и сам релативно брзо појавити на овим страницама, тј. на овом сајту, тј. на "мом" одјељку овог сајта. Због тога и приличи да бенд добије своју (мање-више) званичну биографију и такође приличи да то напише управо Ник Мејсон, човјек који можда јесте најмање учествовао у писању пјесама, али је зато једини који је био са бендом од почетка до краја. Мислим да нема потребе да посебно наглашавам оно што апсолутно сви знају, наиме да је Дејвид Гилмор ту тек од другог албума, док Ричард Рајт није свирао на Тхе Финал Цут, јер га је Вотерс раније ногирао из бенда. Поред тога, испоставило се да је г. Мејсон заправо прилично духовит човјек, те ова књига обилује многим одличним реченицама и духовитостима, а на неким мјестима сам се буквално искидао од смијеха. Да ли је баш све ово дјело самог Мејсона или је ту утицаја имао неки духовити дух-писац, немам појма, али то није ни толико битно - битно је да је садржај књиге такав какав јесте (за разлику од неких других књига, чији је садржај такав какав није - не подносим такве књиге).
Књига у потпуности оправдава свој поднаслов. Ово је историја Пинк Флојда, а не аутобиографија Ника Мејсона или неког другог, тако да смо милосрдно поштеђени приватних живота протагониста (нпр. разноразних брачних невјерности и сличних ствари), осим у оној мјери у којој је то имало директног утицаја на сам бенд, као што је на примјер ментални суноврат Сида Барета. Књига детаљно излаже (скромне) почетке бенда, свирање по разноразним психоделичним клубовима и сл. и постепено напредовање ка највећем рок бенду и другој највећој ствари у историји музике.
Поред факта да је г. Мејсон неоспорно духовит човјек, он је изгледа и врло скроман човјек. Због тога књига обилује не баш похвалним коментарима о свирачком умијећу чланова бенда, а први дио је пун дијелова у којима они оду да слушају неки бенд и констатују колико су ови бољи и професионалнији музичари. Иронија је, наравно, у томе што за један дио ових бендова нико живи никад није ни чуо, док многи други нису догурали даље од музичке фусноте, док је, као што знамо, Пинк Флојд највећи рок бенд свих времена. Узмимо за примјер Тхе Нице. Чули сте за Тхе Нице? Вјерујем да ће бар половина вас да одговори "За кога???". У оној другој половини сасвим сигурно се налазе врло озбиљни музички посвећеници који су свјесни да је то бенд у коме је свирао Кеитх Емерсон прије него што је формирао ЕЛП, али мислим да је потребно да се буде баш баш загрижени фан прогресивног рока да бисте знали да набројите неку њихову пјесму или албум. Ту је негдје и једна од моје двије замјерке на ову књигу - нисам сигуран да је Ник довољно нагласио колико је Пинк Флојд велики бенд, и то не због разноразних психоделичних експеримената, политичког ангажовања, летећих свиња и сличних ствари, већ зато што су свирали апсолутно феноменалну музику.
Моја друга замјерка односи се на процјене значаја и оцјене квалитета појединачних албума бенда. Ово су, наравно, потпуно субјективне процјене (ако за тренутак игноришемо количину згрнуте лове и трајање на врховима топ листа), тако да то не можемо да узмемо као објективну замјерку, али како је моја субјективна процјена најобјективнија на свијету, онда морам да кажем сљедеће: Ник Мејсон, као и већина критичара и новинара и обожавалаца и њима сличних, сматра да је фаза доминације Роџера Вотерса, изузимајући Тхе Финал Цут (током којег је бенд већ био мање-више распаднут) креативни врхунац бенда и да су им албуми од Тхе Дарк Сиде оф тхе Моон па до Тхе Њалл најбољи у каталогу. Као неко коме су по омиљености на прва три мјеста (у током година стално мијењајућем редослиједу) Атом Хеарт Мотхер, Меддле и А Моментарз Лапсе оф Реасон, не могу а да не протестујем. Дарк Сиде, Њисх Зоу Њере Хере, Анималс и Тхе Њалл су феноменални албуми (и Тхе Финал Цут је одличан, свидјело се то Вотерсовим мрзитељима или не), али то су ипак углавном стандардни рок албуми и за мене немају онај "зинг!" као ови које сам набројао. Кад угасиш свјетло и затвориш очи и пустиш Ецхоес на неким добрим слушалицама и пропутујеш дваес и кусур минута у неком другом свијету, ђе тако нешто можете да нађете на Тхе Њалл или Анималсима? Нигдје, ето гдје. Привлачност Пинк Флојда за мене је увијек била у њиховим музичким експериментима, који се никад нису, као код швапских краутрокера, претварали у глупирање и дрљање по шерпама и слично, него су увијек остајали МУЗИКА. Протестних пјесама о корумпираним политичарима и сличним стварима има на извоз. Поред тога, апсолутно одбијам сваку критику на рачун одличне пјесме Сеамус.
Ово је и згодна прилика да споменем реакцију свог рођака Владимира, иначе школованог џез гитаристе, кад смо слушали А Моментарз Лапсе оф Реасон одмах након неких албума Џоа Сатријанија и Стива Ваија: "Ово је ипак много боља музика од оне двојице кењатора."
February 6, 2014
Enjoyable and quite humorous history of Pink Floyd. One of my favorite bands, so I was really pleased with it. Well done and recommended, if this kind of thing is your cup of tea.
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September 8, 2025в цілому, я все розумію, в усіх свої проблеми. у когось дах тече. хтось ірраціонально невпевнений в собі. ще в одного амплітуда амбіцій їбейше коливається. інший не мав бажання розбиратись в низьких матеріях типу британської податкової системи, а тепер мусить. в останнього скрутні життєві обставини поведінку до невпізнання модифікують. різне трапляється, і, як наслідок, ніхто, жодна жива людина, дружина, родина, звукоінженер, представник лейблу, технік, електрик не подужав донести до Роджера Вотерса, що його матеріал для “The Final Cut” — це якесь неймовірне лайно і з цим не варто рухатись далі. як сольник — та будь ласочка, але як окремий альбом Pink Floyd — це вже занадто. я серйозно, ви це слухали? отак щоб прям цілеспрямовано вухами, а не фоном під прибирання чи пересування клітинок в екселі. досі не можу осягнути: це зробив автор “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun”, “Money” та “Have a Cigar”. отже, особисто для себе промаркую другу половину 1982 року водорозділом попайки нешановного пана Вотерса. нагадаю, що з початку повномасштабного вторгнення він (ймовірно) сидить на зарплатні в росіян та (фактологічно доведено) розповсюджує проросійські наративи. найвлучніше про нього сказав наш слоняра пан Кислиця ще у 2023 році: “…just another brick in the wall — the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda.” дуже сумно.
так, а що книжка? виділю аж дві речі:
— доволі сухо написана. гострайтер, котрий в кредітсах вказаний як “редактор”, у Ніка Мейсона так собі. текст зовсім механічний і лише під кінець стає трошки людянішим. хоча, можливо, причина банально в щемких подіях останніх років.
— переклад посередній. наприклад, “The door to the studio swung open, revealing Bryan and his two henchmen. These three characters were clearly part of London’s underworld rather than underground.” перетворилось на “Відчинилися двері студії — і ми побачили Браяна й двох його поплічників. Ці троє були радше частиною лондонського підземного світу, ніж андеґраунду.” йшлося про те, що Браян і його посіпаки були гангстерами, бо London’s underworld це не буквально підземний світ каналізацій та метрополітену, а тіньовий, кримінальний бік Лондона. таке собі, Лабораторія вміє набагато краще.
що у підсумку? хз, бо в мене для вас є тільки рефлексія:
вкотре замислююсь чи взагалі має сенс читати книжки про життя музикантів, бо тоді із цих міфічних істот, що несуть вогонь мистецтва, вони перетворюються на м’ясні мішки, котрі плюють в фанатів зі сцени, ігнорують погіршення фізичного та психічного стану своїх друзів і ницо абстрагуються, щойно стає важко з ними поратись, та й взагалі можуть собі дозволити посеред запису альбому вигнати “на мороз” одного із ключових бандмейтів після купи годин спільних турів, сімейних вечер та пляжних вакацій. може, глибоко всередині я б і справді хотів, аби ці пани назавжди залишилися ефемерними небесними створіннями, бо велична “Echoes” вже навряд колись звучатиме для мене так само незаплямовано, як у ті блаженні часи незнання. деяким велетням краще залишатись похованими.
так, а що книжка? виділю аж дві речі:
— доволі сухо написана. гострайтер, котрий в кредітсах вказаний як “редактор”, у Ніка Мейсона так собі. текст зовсім механічний і лише під кінець стає трошки людянішим. хоча, можливо, причина банально в щемких подіях останніх років.
— переклад посередній. наприклад, “The door to the studio swung open, revealing Bryan and his two henchmen. These three characters were clearly part of London’s underworld rather than underground.” перетворилось на “Відчинилися двері студії — і ми побачили Браяна й двох його поплічників. Ці троє були радше частиною лондонського підземного світу, ніж андеґраунду.” йшлося про те, що Браян і його посіпаки були гангстерами, бо London’s underworld це не буквально підземний світ каналізацій та метрополітену, а тіньовий, кримінальний бік Лондона. таке собі, Лабораторія вміє набагато краще.
що у підсумку? хз, бо в мене для вас є тільки рефлексія:
вкотре замислююсь чи взагалі має сенс читати книжки про життя музикантів, бо тоді із цих міфічних істот, що несуть вогонь мистецтва, вони перетворюються на м’ясні мішки, котрі плюють в фанатів зі сцени, ігнорують погіршення фізичного та психічного стану своїх друзів і ницо абстрагуються, щойно стає важко з ними поратись, та й взагалі можуть собі дозволити посеред запису альбому вигнати “на мороз” одного із ключових бандмейтів після купи годин спільних турів, сімейних вечер та пляжних вакацій. може, глибоко всередині я б і справді хотів, аби ці пани назавжди залишилися ефемерними небесними створіннями, бо велична “Echoes” вже навряд колись звучатиме для мене так само незаплямовано, як у ті блаженні часи незнання. деяким велетням краще залишатись похованими.
September 5, 2017
Die Geschichte von Pink Floyd, was glaubt man nicht alles darüber zu wissen. Spätestens wenn man mehrere Jahre Magazine wie "Eclipsed" abonniert hatte und die Musik unzählige Male im Wohnzimmer erklingen liess, gab es wohl keine wirklichen Geheimnisse mehr. Oder doch?
Mit "Inside Out" hat Schlagzeuger Nick Mason zu Beginn der 2000er seine Erinnerungen an seine Zeit in der grössten Psychedelic-Prog-Art-Rock-Band der Geschichte auf Papier gebracht. In angenehmer Sprache lässt er Fans und Neugierige somit von den ersten Treffen der Musiker bis zum allerletzten gemeinsamen Auftritt bei Live 8 teilhaben. Dabei werden nicht viele Schockmomente aufgedeckt, sondern eher offenbart, dass sich bei Pink Floyd eigentlich um eine nicht sehr abenteuerliche Gruppe handelte.
Es ist aber trotzdem schön, gewisse Gerüchte endlich mal entkräftet und bestätigt zu kriegen, in die Schaffensprozesse Einblick zu erhalten und natürlich ganz viele tolle Bilder anschauen zu dürfen. Besonders im (leider schon lange ausverkauften) Hardcover-Format ist "Inside Out" wirklich ein tolles Buch über eine immer noch wegweisende Band aus England.
Mit "Inside Out" hat Schlagzeuger Nick Mason zu Beginn der 2000er seine Erinnerungen an seine Zeit in der grössten Psychedelic-Prog-Art-Rock-Band der Geschichte auf Papier gebracht. In angenehmer Sprache lässt er Fans und Neugierige somit von den ersten Treffen der Musiker bis zum allerletzten gemeinsamen Auftritt bei Live 8 teilhaben. Dabei werden nicht viele Schockmomente aufgedeckt, sondern eher offenbart, dass sich bei Pink Floyd eigentlich um eine nicht sehr abenteuerliche Gruppe handelte.
Es ist aber trotzdem schön, gewisse Gerüchte endlich mal entkräftet und bestätigt zu kriegen, in die Schaffensprozesse Einblick zu erhalten und natürlich ganz viele tolle Bilder anschauen zu dürfen. Besonders im (leider schon lange ausverkauften) Hardcover-Format ist "Inside Out" wirklich ein tolles Buch über eine immer noch wegweisende Band aus England.
October 26, 2017
Nick Mason has written an appropriately exhaustive memoir of his experience as a lifetime member of Pink Floyd. Though a bit too self-deprecating and to a fault unpretentious, this historical accounting of one of the great British rock bands of all-time will prove to be foremost as biographical standard. Well-written and informative, persons interested in all things Pink Floyd will not be disappointed.
November 24, 2025
Я до безглуздого люблю Pink Floyd, відколи познайомилась з їхньою творчістю, більше 20 років тому і до тепер однаково сильно. У мене є окремі плейлисти для роботи, інші - щоб тихо булькало на фоні розмов з джубіельки на кухні, коли приходять друзі, і навіть один ніжний, повільний, який став супроводом вечірніх ритуалів, коли вкладаю дочку спати. Очікування від цієї книги були трохи більшими й мабуть сподівалась на щось атмосферніше. Май бед. Та повної радості все ж не відібрало.
Це далеко не вибухова рок-біографія, і не шальона сповідь легенди. Місцями це до огидного вилизана, охайно причесана, дуже дипломатична й стримана версія тексту, у якому навіть найгучніші срачі описані так, ніби всі тойво, ну трохи не порозумілися.
Ніби Мейсон навмисне оминає все, що могло б хоч трохи зіпсувати імідж, або навпаки, зробити з цієї історії щось живе.
Але де Мейсон справді цікавий - це в деталях і технічних описах. Бо що є, то й не відбереш, флойдівська магія - то ж не лише тексти й звук (або не просто звук), це сотні і сотні дрібниць, мікрофони в найнеймовірніших місцях, ефекти, шум, експерименти (багато), запис годинників, сміху, кроків, дзвінків, гуркотів, вибухів, мʼясорубок, гудіння комах і гелікоптерів - усе це поєднання непоєднуваного. І все мало свою художню функцію.
Вони «записували світ».
All that you touch
And all that you see
All that you taste
All you feel
все що є - стає частиною музики.
А ще ж є візуальний концепт. І сенсорний.
Описи процесу створення шоу це окремий космос - масштаби, планування, логістика, реквізити й постановки. Та за кожним концертом стояла неуібічна праця, якої зазвичай просто не видно. Це повноцінне театральне дійство. Читати як народжувались їхні найшаленіші ідеї… арх.
Як довго репетирували побудову стіни 12 метрів заввишки (70-80 метрів в довжину), щоб під час живих виступів все було ідеально прораховано й синхронізовано з музикою, аж до моменту коли закладають останню цеглину і стихають останні акорди. (Агов, це чотири десятки техніків тільки щоб складати цьоглу, а ще ж треба кнопки тиснути для освітлення).
Або як Алджі під час концерту в Лондоні відірвалась і її ловили вертольоти та поліція, бо свиня залетіла в авіаційний коридор. А ще проекції художника аніматора. Лазерний спектр. І все це 70-80ті - усе робилося вручну, механічно, годинами й днями репетицій.
Чорт, феноменальні речі.
Після цього переглянула кілька шматків живих виступів, просто щоб побачити, усвідомити, зловити деталі. Люблю коли читання книжки виходить за межі книжки.
Але в загальній картині чогось таки бракує. “Навиворіт” у розумінні Мейсона - це акуратний технічний розбір того, як усе працювало. Але без енергії, не вистачило душі
Це далеко не вибухова рок-біографія, і не шальона сповідь легенди. Місцями це до огидного вилизана, охайно причесана, дуже дипломатична й стримана версія тексту, у якому навіть найгучніші срачі описані так, ніби всі тойво, ну трохи не порозумілися.
Ніби Мейсон навмисне оминає все, що могло б хоч трохи зіпсувати імідж, або навпаки, зробити з цієї історії щось живе.
Але де Мейсон справді цікавий - це в деталях і технічних описах. Бо що є, то й не відбереш, флойдівська магія - то ж не лише тексти й звук (або не просто звук), це сотні і сотні дрібниць, мікрофони в найнеймовірніших місцях, ефекти, шум, експерименти (багато), запис годинників, сміху, кроків, дзвінків, гуркотів, вибухів, мʼясорубок, гудіння комах і гелікоптерів - усе це поєднання непоєднуваного. І все мало свою художню функцію.
Вони «записували світ».
All that you touch
And all that you see
All that you taste
All you feel
все що є - стає частиною музики.
А ще ж є візуальний концепт. І сенсорний.
Описи процесу створення шоу це окремий космос - масштаби, планування, логістика, реквізити й постановки. Та за кожним концертом стояла неуібічна праця, якої зазвичай просто не видно. Це повноцінне театральне дійство. Читати як народжувались їхні найшаленіші ідеї… арх.
Як довго репетирували побудову стіни 12 метрів заввишки (70-80 метрів в довжину), щоб під час живих виступів все було ідеально прораховано й синхронізовано з музикою, аж до моменту коли закладають останню цеглину і стихають останні акорди. (Агов, це чотири десятки техніків тільки щоб складати цьоглу, а ще ж треба кнопки тиснути для освітлення).
Або як Алджі під час концерту в Лондоні відірвалась і її ловили вертольоти та поліція, бо свиня залетіла в авіаційний коридор. А ще проекції художника аніматора. Лазерний спектр. І все це 70-80ті - усе робилося вручну, механічно, годинами й днями репетицій.
Чорт, феноменальні речі.
Після цього переглянула кілька шматків живих виступів, просто щоб побачити, усвідомити, зловити деталі. Люблю коли читання книжки виходить за межі книжки.
Але в загальній картині чогось таки бракує. “Навиворіт” у розумінні Мейсона - це акуратний технічний розбір того, як усе працювало. Але без енергії, не вистачило душі
February 20, 2009
Admittedly I'm a very biased Pink Floyd fan since 1971 or so (!), but this is a very well written book. A humorous, thoughtful, self-deprecating and not-at-all-pretentious inside look at a band with an interesting history. Nick Mason comes across better than probably anyone else in the band could, given the divisive feelings between the rest of them. Also, it's a fan's dream: an unbelievable amount of great photos and graphics, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, candid recollections-all around great stuff.
January 26, 2018
I have loved Pink Floyd for decades, and I'm proud that I got to see one of their very last shows in 1994 in London. It was gorgeous. This book is competently written and gives an interesting history of the group. I only wish it could have had more character depth between the main members. I would have loved to hear more of the details that went on between them all as they were creating their spectacular albums.
March 7, 2019
A likeable account of the rise and rise of Pink Floyd. Nick Mason is a master raconteur, but I came away wishing I knew more about the band members themselves. Very enjoyable, though and Mason's contribution of the roadies, is somewhat gracious.
For a rock and roll drummer, Nick Mason tells a good story. He does talk about Syd Barret leaving the band and some of their concerts and rigging. The making of Dark Side of the Moon was interesting.
For a rock and roll drummer, Nick Mason tells a good story. He does talk about Syd Barret leaving the band and some of their concerts and rigging. The making of Dark Side of the Moon was interesting.
August 28, 2021
"Pink Floyd emerged from two overlapping sets of friends: one was based around Cambridge, where Roger [Waters], Syd Barrett, David Gilmour and many future Floyd affiliates hailed from. The other - Roger, Rick and myself - came together in the first year of an architecture course at the Regents Street Polytechnic in London, which is where my recollections of our common history begin."
When I talk with people about Pink Floyd, everybody seems to like them. "Yes, yes, a great band," I invariably hear. And then most people drop the names of albums, such as The Dark Side of the Moon (one of the best-selling records in the history of music) or The Wall. My problem is that I do not like these records; I find them cheap, completely commercial, and musically limited. I love Pink Floyd's early oeuvre, roughly until their Atom Heart Mother album (1970). Basically, I am only into their psychedelic and sort of avant-garde rock music.
I find Nick Mason's Inside out. A Personal History of Pink Floyd an excellent read. Mr. Mason, the band drummer, has been the only constant member of the band for their entire 56-year history. Inside Out (2017) is an extremely detailed and thorough history of the band, a comprehensive account of all their recordings, major performances, and personnel changes, all shown on the backdrop of the music scene evolution between the mid-1960s and the late 2010s.
Obviously, for me, the most interesting are the beginning chapters of the book that focus on the mid- and late 1960s, particularly the times of the intellectual underground movement centered around the Indica Bookshop and the London Free School. These were the times of joint performance with Soft Machine, the times of recording Pink Floyd's first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, the times when Syd Barrett was the most important member of the band.
In 1967, Syd Barrett begins to unravel, likely an effect of psychedelic drugs overuse. David Gilmour replaces Barrett in 1968, and, as Mr. Mason writes:
I like the author's muted, balanced, and unsensationalistic coverage of the well-publicized conflict between Roger Waters, one of the founding members, and David Gilmour. In general, I admire the author for omitting the so-called juicy details so characteristic of any famous rock band's history. Almost nothing about debauchery, and precious little about drugs. Well done!
I love Mr. Mason's admission that there existed many bands with better musicianship than Pink Floyd (oh yes; Soft Machine immediately comes to mind!) I love the generous helpings of understated, British humor, very helpful in reading the rather dense text. But most of all, I commend the author for displaying an unusually sympathetic attitude toward everybody featured in the story, toward every single person he writes about. No personal sniping; all criticisms are expressed nicely and with a dose of humor, whenever possible.
Very highly recommended book, for all fans of rock music.
Four stars.
(I also recommend my review of Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey by Nicholas Schaffner.)
When I talk with people about Pink Floyd, everybody seems to like them. "Yes, yes, a great band," I invariably hear. And then most people drop the names of albums, such as The Dark Side of the Moon (one of the best-selling records in the history of music) or The Wall. My problem is that I do not like these records; I find them cheap, completely commercial, and musically limited. I love Pink Floyd's early oeuvre, roughly until their Atom Heart Mother album (1970). Basically, I am only into their psychedelic and sort of avant-garde rock music.
I find Nick Mason's Inside out. A Personal History of Pink Floyd an excellent read. Mr. Mason, the band drummer, has been the only constant member of the band for their entire 56-year history. Inside Out (2017) is an extremely detailed and thorough history of the band, a comprehensive account of all their recordings, major performances, and personnel changes, all shown on the backdrop of the music scene evolution between the mid-1960s and the late 2010s.
Obviously, for me, the most interesting are the beginning chapters of the book that focus on the mid- and late 1960s, particularly the times of the intellectual underground movement centered around the Indica Bookshop and the London Free School. These were the times of joint performance with Soft Machine, the times of recording Pink Floyd's first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, the times when Syd Barrett was the most important member of the band.
In 1967, Syd Barrett begins to unravel, likely an effect of psychedelic drugs overuse. David Gilmour replaces Barrett in 1968, and, as Mr. Mason writes:
"[...] there was, and still is, a school of thought that Syd's departure marked the end of the 'real' Pink Floyd, a point of view I can understand, even if I don't concede it."Then come two other great albums, A Saucerful of Secrets and Ummagumma, and the band closes their psychedelic, Barrett-influenced period with Atom Heart Mother:
"[...] an ambitious piece we have [...] recorded complete with French horns, tuba, trumpets, trombones, a solo cello and a twenty-strong choir - the kitchen sink must have been unavailable for session work."The fans of Dark Side will find detailed analyses of individual pieces on this album. The fans of rock music presented as a theatrical spectacle will find detailed accounts of various opulently staged performances and descriptions of the band's famous stage decorations (flying pigs, etc.)
I like the author's muted, balanced, and unsensationalistic coverage of the well-publicized conflict between Roger Waters, one of the founding members, and David Gilmour. In general, I admire the author for omitting the so-called juicy details so characteristic of any famous rock band's history. Almost nothing about debauchery, and precious little about drugs. Well done!
I love Mr. Mason's admission that there existed many bands with better musicianship than Pink Floyd (oh yes; Soft Machine immediately comes to mind!) I love the generous helpings of understated, British humor, very helpful in reading the rather dense text. But most of all, I commend the author for displaying an unusually sympathetic attitude toward everybody featured in the story, toward every single person he writes about. No personal sniping; all criticisms are expressed nicely and with a dose of humor, whenever possible.
Very highly recommended book, for all fans of rock music.
Four stars.
(I also recommend my review of Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey by Nicholas Schaffner.)
April 16, 2026
Моя улюблена категорія нонфікшну - музичні розбори польотів про улюблені групи.
Читав би таке постійно, але треба міру знати)
Pink Floyd серед особистих фаворитів давно, колись навіть вчився грати на клавішних, то розбирав та грав повністю The Great Gig In The Sky.
Досі надзвичайно цікаво перечитати та переслухати їх по ходу діла.
Перший раз читав аж в 2013му англійською, більш старе видання на Кіндлі, а це видання 2017го більш свіже і має інфу, якої на той час не було (наприклад, пропустив The Endless River, але якраз щойно послухав).
Якщо ви теж любителі читати про те, що слухаєте, то однозначно рекомендую
Читав би таке постійно, але треба міру знати)
Pink Floyd серед особистих фаворитів давно, колись навіть вчився грати на клавішних, то розбирав та грав повністю The Great Gig In The Sky.
Досі надзвичайно цікаво перечитати та переслухати їх по ходу діла.
Перший раз читав аж в 2013му англійською, більш старе видання на Кіндлі, а це видання 2017го більш свіже і має інфу, якої на той час не було (наприклад, пропустив The Endless River, але якраз щойно послухав).
Якщо ви теж любителі читати про те, що слухаєте, то однозначно рекомендую
August 16, 2025
Mostly pleasant.
September 25, 2012
Преоткрих Пинк Флойд чрез тази книга. Винаги са ми били най-най любими, но сега ги заобичах още повече и книгата ме накара отново да чуя всеки един техен албум поотделно, да прочета текстовете на песните. Още повече - да нарисувам всяка песен от The Dark Side of the Moon!
Като факти научих някои нови неща и видях неизвестни снимки. Има детайли за създаването на песните и албумите. По-важното беше, че имах много емоционално преживяване - като личности ги опознах повече четиримата/петимата музиканти. Това ме провокира да търся още информация за тях в интернет и техни мнения и интервюта.
Видях в по-друга светлина Сид Барет, опознах повече по-незабележимия в групата Ник Мейсън, направо се влюбих в Рик Райт като обърнах внимание на приноса и излъчването му и ми стана мъчно, че го няма вече... "Простих" на Роджър Уотърс, по инерция обвиняван за разрива в групата, затвърдих обожанието си към Дейвид Гилмор...
Най-вече ми допадна откровеното, интелигентно разказване на Ник Мейсън и приятното му чувство за хумор, трезвите му оценки. Разказът наистина е „отвътре” и истински вълнуващ. След като я свърших, многократно я отварях и разлиствах пак.
Като факти научих някои нови неща и видях неизвестни снимки. Има детайли за създаването на песните и албумите. По-важното беше, че имах много емоционално преживяване - като личности ги опознах повече четиримата/петимата музиканти. Това ме провокира да търся още информация за тях в интернет и техни мнения и интервюта.
Видях в по-друга светлина Сид Барет, опознах повече по-незабележимия в групата Ник Мейсън, направо се влюбих в Рик Райт като обърнах внимание на приноса и излъчването му и ми стана мъчно, че го няма вече... "Простих" на Роджър Уотърс, по инерция обвиняван за разрива в групата, затвърдих обожанието си към Дейвид Гилмор...
Най-вече ми допадна откровеното, интелигентно разказване на Ник Мейсън и приятното му чувство за хумор, трезвите му оценки. Разказът наистина е „отвътре” и истински вълнуващ. След като я свърших, многократно я отварях и разлиствах пак.
September 20, 2014
I generally dislike and distrust books about my favorite bands, artists and writers. Therefore I read only a couple of them with my view being: the creation (the music, the text, the picture) should speak for itself. Nevertheless I found myself once again listening to Pink Floyd and somehow I caught glimpse of this book. I gave it a perfunctory try but then realized that I couldn't put it down. Nick Mason is a great storyteller who tries to speak for the band and the members and does this with huge amounts of irony and humor. A great book about a fantastic band. It made me listen again with "new ears" to the almost forgotten items in their catalog and for this only I am grateful. He also put the feud between David Gilmour and Roger Waters in perspective and I needed to hear a sober version of the story.
All in all, either you are a fan or are about to become one, this is the one and only book about Pink Floyd that is worth reading. Kudos to Mr. Mason for achieving the impossible.
All in all, either you are a fan or are about to become one, this is the one and only book about Pink Floyd that is worth reading. Kudos to Mr. Mason for achieving the impossible.
Read
August 26, 2021It was in 2006 when I got the first taste of Pink Floyd. I double clicked an audio file titled 'money' on my computer - its a mystery as to how it got there in the first place - but that distinctive bassline, the sharp saxophone and the quirky lyrics all melted together in my ears into a memorable musical experience which I would attempt to recreate for the rest of my life. I was reintroduced to the band in college by my stoner buddy although I've always enjoyed the Pink Floyd sound while being absolutely sober. On being told of many myths and legends of Roger and David, about Syd Barrett and about the history behind the lyrics I was awed, intrigued and hungry for more.
The book in question is the definitive answer to all my curiosities. Having spent a lot of time nerding over Pink Floyd on the internet - scouring through reddit posts and youtube comments - I was relieved that this had enough exposition to keep me hooked. The band has humble beginnings in stark contrast to the international phenomena that it eventually became. The years of grind on the road in decrepit vehicles with subpar equipment, playing at unknown locations in front of uninterested, inebriated and sometimes violent audiences makes for a eye-opening read. The book maintains a good momentum dishing out tours and albums in every chapter with the introduction of hundreds of engineers, technicians, crew members, wives, girlfriends, offsprings and an odd pet or two.
Nick Mason was perhaps the best person to have written this memoir. He doesn't take himself too seriously and was more interested in racing rather than drumming, but he is indeed the longest serving member of the band. The writing could have been hagiographic or repentant but Nick chose to write this book humorously. He records intricate details (some quite pointless) and also relies on the memory of those involved with the band through the years. His job was made much easier by the unfolding events and the surprising reunion with Roger for the Live 8 performance makes for a satisfying denouement. An emotional epilogue reminded me that the band was formed even before the birth of my parents and is a testament to the music created by Pink Floyd.
As an endnote I'd like to quote the excerpts of a letter written by Nick on the passing of their long time manager Steve O'Rourke. These lines form a succinct summary and also offers a flavour of Nick's writing:
The book in question is the definitive answer to all my curiosities. Having spent a lot of time nerding over Pink Floyd on the internet - scouring through reddit posts and youtube comments - I was relieved that this had enough exposition to keep me hooked. The band has humble beginnings in stark contrast to the international phenomena that it eventually became. The years of grind on the road in decrepit vehicles with subpar equipment, playing at unknown locations in front of uninterested, inebriated and sometimes violent audiences makes for a eye-opening read. The book maintains a good momentum dishing out tours and albums in every chapter with the introduction of hundreds of engineers, technicians, crew members, wives, girlfriends, offsprings and an odd pet or two.
Nick Mason was perhaps the best person to have written this memoir. He doesn't take himself too seriously and was more interested in racing rather than drumming, but he is indeed the longest serving member of the band. The writing could have been hagiographic or repentant but Nick chose to write this book humorously. He records intricate details (some quite pointless) and also relies on the memory of those involved with the band through the years. His job was made much easier by the unfolding events and the surprising reunion with Roger for the Live 8 performance makes for a satisfying denouement. An emotional epilogue reminded me that the band was formed even before the birth of my parents and is a testament to the music created by Pink Floyd.
As an endnote I'd like to quote the excerpts of a letter written by Nick on the passing of their long time manager Steve O'Rourke. These lines form a succinct summary and also offers a flavour of Nick's writing:
On the good ship “Floyd” Steve and I worked together for over thirty years – mainly before the mast. We served under harsh captains. Mad Cap’n Barrett was the first; his gleaming eyes with tales of treasure and strange visions nearly led us to disaster, until mutiny put us under the domination of the cruel (Not So Jolly) Roger… Later Roger was to carelessly walk his own plank to be replaced by Able Seaman Gilmour.
August 21, 2023
Drummer Nick Mason is the only constant member of Pink Floyd throughout the years and has been there from the very beginning, so he was probably the most adequate person to write this account of the inner workings of the band. Mason takes a light-hearted approach and, with an unpretentious style, he recounts the most important facts of the Floyd's long career peppering the story with funny bits and anecdotes.
I liked that he never took himself or the band seriously, but I was a bit frustrated by the fact that he glosses over many important moments which had a significant impact on Pink Floyd's history, namely Syd Barrett's forced departure in 1968, the thorny relationship between the four bandmates during the making of The Wall in 1979, or the legal battle that took place after bassist and main lyricist Roger Waters left the band and subsequently sued his former bandmates in the mid 80s.
Mason admits that as Barrett's friends they utterly failed him when he needed their help and only saw him as an obstacle in their path to success, but that's the deepest reflection we get. He never goes in depth about the dynamics between the band members and instead focuses on the names of crew members and other technical details that are not really important. I know that the band have always liked to keep a low profile and thus it's understandable that the other members had veto power over what Mason wrote, but after reading the book I don't have the feeling of having discovered anything particularly relevant or interesting. Pink Floyd remain as nebulous as always for me, but maybe it's better that way (you know, never meet your heroes).
Would I recommend it? Well, yes. It's an easy read and Mason's sense of humor makes sure that it never gets boring, but don't expect much depth. If you like Pink Floyd you should definitely give it a try.
I liked that he never took himself or the band seriously, but I was a bit frustrated by the fact that he glosses over many important moments which had a significant impact on Pink Floyd's history, namely Syd Barrett's forced departure in 1968, the thorny relationship between the four bandmates during the making of The Wall in 1979, or the legal battle that took place after bassist and main lyricist Roger Waters left the band and subsequently sued his former bandmates in the mid 80s.
Mason admits that as Barrett's friends they utterly failed him when he needed their help and only saw him as an obstacle in their path to success, but that's the deepest reflection we get. He never goes in depth about the dynamics between the band members and instead focuses on the names of crew members and other technical details that are not really important. I know that the band have always liked to keep a low profile and thus it's understandable that the other members had veto power over what Mason wrote, but after reading the book I don't have the feeling of having discovered anything particularly relevant or interesting. Pink Floyd remain as nebulous as always for me, but maybe it's better that way (you know, never meet your heroes).
Would I recommend it? Well, yes. It's an easy read and Mason's sense of humor makes sure that it never gets boring, but don't expect much depth. If you like Pink Floyd you should definitely give it a try.
October 28, 2020
"Sì, Syd poteva essere disturbato, forse anche pazzo, ma forse eravamo noi a causare questo problema, inseguendo il nostro desiderio di successo e forzando Syd ad allinearsi alle nostre ambizioni. Forse era Syd a essere circondato da pazzi".
Inside Out non è altro che la storia dei Pink Floyd, il mio gruppo musicale preferito, vista dalla parte di Nick Mason, il loro batterista. Bel libro: onesto e schietto, a tratti anche divertente. Anche se, per dirla tutta, manca del tutto qualche riflessione su Syd Barrett. Senza contare il fatto che tutto il periodo della "contesa" (anche legale) tra Roger Waters ed il resto della band è descritto in modo un po' troppo "diplomatico".
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Vedi anche questo: https://lastanzadiantonio.blogspot.co...
Inside Out non è altro che la storia dei Pink Floyd, il mio gruppo musicale preferito, vista dalla parte di Nick Mason, il loro batterista. Bel libro: onesto e schietto, a tratti anche divertente. Anche se, per dirla tutta, manca del tutto qualche riflessione su Syd Barrett. Senza contare il fatto che tutto il periodo della "contesa" (anche legale) tra Roger Waters ed il resto della band è descritto in modo un po' troppo "diplomatico".
[https://lastanzadiantonio.blogspot.co...]
Vedi anche questo: https://lastanzadiantonio.blogspot.co...
July 8, 2013
An okay bio on Pink Floyd but not the one we really want to read. It was neutered by Nick allowing both Roger and David to delete any sections they felt they didn't like, so what remains is a watered down mediocre book. I also found myself becoming disinterested once we reach the part in the narrative where they initially split up.
November 5, 2011
An Ok read from Nick. He had a great time of it but if anything came out of this for me it was that Roger is a bit of a twat at times. For the fan.
January 4, 2015
interesting, but the mark blake biography is more intense and more insightful...
October 26, 2025
Nick Mason can write and has a dry sense of humour so it’s such a shame that he’s produced something so un-revealing. I got the feeling that his lack of input into the creative side of the band meant that he wasn’t able to go into the vision behind the songs that Gilmour or Waters would have been able to. When Meddle was released for example the ideas were covered in no more than a couple of paragraphs and suddenly Pink Floyd were on the road to being a huge band. The same can be said for Dark Side, Wish You Were Here and Animals which just seemed to appear from nowhere.
Also he is obviously very wary about discussing his band mates. Syd Barrett’s decent into mental illness is covered but not with any real insights into how it effected his life or the band. The same could be said of Roger Waters. It’s clear that there was a great deal of tension caused by his need to have things his own way which again felt very glossed over. Rick Wright hardly gets a mention considering he was such a major part of the band.
Ok but no more than 5 out of 10
Also he is obviously very wary about discussing his band mates. Syd Barrett’s decent into mental illness is covered but not with any real insights into how it effected his life or the band. The same could be said of Roger Waters. It’s clear that there was a great deal of tension caused by his need to have things his own way which again felt very glossed over. Rick Wright hardly gets a mention considering he was such a major part of the band.
Ok but no more than 5 out of 10
April 13, 2025
Загалом сподобалося, хоча звісно, в оригіналі читати було б природніше. Можливо, Нік Мейсон просто той ще пофігіст, але мені здалося, що ніяких страшних непримиренних конфліктів між учасниками не було. Хоча в кожного своя правда, звісно. Окремо потішила прикінцева хронологія, де крім визначних дат для групи подано ще й мішанку з різних світових подій - наприклад, коли в "Докторі Хто" вперше з'явилися далеки.
July 21, 2026
A true legend. Thoroughly enjoyable and well paced. Reading the last chapter with hindsight is quite emotional, and you can’t help thinking about what could’ve been.
November 13, 2015
As a teenager, I was very much into Pink Floyd. There were a number of reasons. First that they had, pretty much, ended their careers by the time I discovered them and so had the exotic feel of a band from more interesting times. Band leader and bassist Roger Waters' particular brand of alienation - 'we don't need no education' - appealed to my anarchist tendencies. Dave Gilmour seemed like a magical guitarist. At a certain point that changed, partly from overlistening, partly because I outgrew them. Nowadays I can only really listen to their earlier albums - Meddle most of all - before they get too ponderous, and some might say pretentious.
Luckily, Mason's memoir isn't ponderous at all, and he has that breezy type of wry English humour one associates with someone like Michael Palin. Mason seems like a nice chap, the kind you might have been friends with had you known him. Like a good middle class boy, he's a pretty good writer too. The writing is lively and full of illuminating detail. The history of the band, like the music itself, tends to become less interesting as time passes. Really, it's the early years, when they are at the head of a particular zeitgeist that is most interesting. Still, rather than any of Mason's observations, it was my own reflections that tended to dominate the experience of reading the book, and I may as well record those here.
To begin with, I was struck by just how young they were when they made it 'big'. Their first album, 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn,' was mostly composed by their first lead man - Syd Barrett - who was probably their only true genius, at the age of of 20-21. Youth is par for the course for popular music, but that's still young to produce something so unique. Had Barrett not suffered a breakdown under the influence of industry pressure and drugs, and subsequently been ejected from the band, one can only imagine the work they might have produced a decade later. On the subject of youth, the band were all about 28-29 when they recorded their next big hit, Dark Side of the Moon. That's about right for bands, but there are plenty of people who at 28 still don't know what they want to do with their life, let alone go about producing one of the greatest albums of all time.
This had me reflecting on the vicissitudes of fate. Being in the right place at the right time -- this seems to be a crucial factor in any success. Release an album (or book) too early or too late and it may sink. Collaborate with the right person, and they might drag you - as in this case - into the big-time. In this sense, Mason seems to have led a charmed life. Neither he nor Waters were really very good musicians, though Waters did later become an excellent songwriter. They just happened to have been lucky enough to be friends with Barrett. Barrett essentially gifted the other three (and then four when Dave Gilmour replaced him) a career. As Mason and Waters have said themselves, there would have been no Pink floyd without Barrett.
But once they had their start - and this was another of my ruminations - they gripped on for dear life. They toured incessantly, recorded a lot. Waters taught himself to become a great songwriter almost by force of will, but more importantly, the band seemed to bring out the best in each other. Each member had their own particular skills that they brought. The whole was more than the sum of the parts. I would have liked more of Mason's reflections on the musical side of things, but as he was mostly an 'active passenger' in this, maybe he isn't the right person for this.
You don't get much reflection really on any of these larger questions - fame, genius, luck - from Mason in the book, which has more of an everyday approach to it. But you do get a sense of the dynamics of the band, their demanding schedule, the later acrimonious split, and their final reunion for Live 8. Mason is a genial guide to all of the events, and that makes it one of the better rock memoirs.
Luckily, Mason's memoir isn't ponderous at all, and he has that breezy type of wry English humour one associates with someone like Michael Palin. Mason seems like a nice chap, the kind you might have been friends with had you known him. Like a good middle class boy, he's a pretty good writer too. The writing is lively and full of illuminating detail. The history of the band, like the music itself, tends to become less interesting as time passes. Really, it's the early years, when they are at the head of a particular zeitgeist that is most interesting. Still, rather than any of Mason's observations, it was my own reflections that tended to dominate the experience of reading the book, and I may as well record those here.
To begin with, I was struck by just how young they were when they made it 'big'. Their first album, 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn,' was mostly composed by their first lead man - Syd Barrett - who was probably their only true genius, at the age of of 20-21. Youth is par for the course for popular music, but that's still young to produce something so unique. Had Barrett not suffered a breakdown under the influence of industry pressure and drugs, and subsequently been ejected from the band, one can only imagine the work they might have produced a decade later. On the subject of youth, the band were all about 28-29 when they recorded their next big hit, Dark Side of the Moon. That's about right for bands, but there are plenty of people who at 28 still don't know what they want to do with their life, let alone go about producing one of the greatest albums of all time.
This had me reflecting on the vicissitudes of fate. Being in the right place at the right time -- this seems to be a crucial factor in any success. Release an album (or book) too early or too late and it may sink. Collaborate with the right person, and they might drag you - as in this case - into the big-time. In this sense, Mason seems to have led a charmed life. Neither he nor Waters were really very good musicians, though Waters did later become an excellent songwriter. They just happened to have been lucky enough to be friends with Barrett. Barrett essentially gifted the other three (and then four when Dave Gilmour replaced him) a career. As Mason and Waters have said themselves, there would have been no Pink floyd without Barrett.
But once they had their start - and this was another of my ruminations - they gripped on for dear life. They toured incessantly, recorded a lot. Waters taught himself to become a great songwriter almost by force of will, but more importantly, the band seemed to bring out the best in each other. Each member had their own particular skills that they brought. The whole was more than the sum of the parts. I would have liked more of Mason's reflections on the musical side of things, but as he was mostly an 'active passenger' in this, maybe he isn't the right person for this.
You don't get much reflection really on any of these larger questions - fame, genius, luck - from Mason in the book, which has more of an everyday approach to it. But you do get a sense of the dynamics of the band, their demanding schedule, the later acrimonious split, and their final reunion for Live 8. Mason is a genial guide to all of the events, and that makes it one of the better rock memoirs.
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