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Echoes: The Complete History of Pink Floyd
From their gigs in tiny church halls to multimillion-selling albums— The Dark Side of the Moon , Wish You Were Here , and the rock opera The Wall —and elaborate stadium shows, this tome celebrates legendary rock band Pink Floyd. Lavishly illustrated with previously unpublished photographs and rare graphic memorabilia, including posters, advertisements, handbills, and tickets from every era of the band’s remarkable history, this survey provides a comprehensive overview of the group, its members, and the times. In addition to a biographical account of the band’s collective and individual careers—from their pre-Floyd times in the early 1960s to the present day and their music’s evolution from psychedelic and space rock to progressive rock genres—this definitive reference presents a meticulously researched chronological listing of every Pink Floyd and solo concert with set lists, radio and television appearances, and a UK and U.S. discography.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 11, 2020
From their gigs in tiny church halls to multimillion selling albums "The Dark Side of the Moon" , "Wish You Were Here" , and "The Wall" including elaborate stadium shows, this book celebrates legendary rock band Pink Floyd. Lavishly illustrated with previously unpublished photographs and rare graphic memorabilia, including posters, advertisements, handbills, and tickets from every era of the band's remarkable history, this survey provides a comprehensive?overview of the group, its members, and the?times. In addition to a biographical account of the band's collective and individual careers from their pre-Floyd times in the early 1960's to the present day and their music's evolution from psychedelic and space rock to progressive rock genres reference presents a meticulously researched chronological listing of every Pink Floyd and solo concert with set lists, radio and television appearances, and a UK and U.S. discography.
March 21, 2018
Complete, indeed.
How does one rate such a monumental undertaking? Povey has compiled for us in this massive volume a record of every concert ever played by Pink Floyd, with as much detail possible added to the notes on every single appearance, from set lists, to band lineup, to instruments used. Included are every performance of every member of the band in all their previous bands before joining Pink Floyd, and every performance of every iteration of the bands that would eventually become Pink Floyd. Meticulous bios and timelines are included for every member. Original sources were combed for the greatest accuracy possible, rather than relying on contemporary anecdotes of past events. Photos and posters and set lists and doodles and tickets and memorabilia are collected and included in copious illustrations. Articles by the author pepper the book, synthesizing each section in readable introductions. Every recording session is listed, along with notes of who was present and the results of the sessions. Of course, a detailed discophotography is included.
This massive, glossy, colourful book is a mindfuck.
At a certain point, a tsunami of information ceases to be interesting and just turns into a white noise mess of static. This may be fitting since I now know that one of the earliest recordings of Pink Floyd was basically droning, unlistenable noise. Yes. They sold that as a record, back in the day. That's definitely never coming up in conversation. That's just taking up room in my head now.
I did not read this book. I looked at every page, scanned every picture. I read every article over one paragraph long. It felt like a chore. The writer did not use engaging language, nor communicate his obvious passion for the band or their music in his prose. Words in this book are meant only to convey the most amount of measurable information possible, with no attempt to justify why such information ought to be known.
This is not a book. I mean, it is an item made of pages bound together by a spine, with words inside. But, really. This could have worked wonderfully as an online database. I mean, clearly this was a shit tonne of work. Who would want to know all this besides the author, I could never guess. Why it needed a glossy, colourful presentation on thick pages, I have no idea. It doesn't raise the interest in the content.
To be clear, I like Pink Floyd. They are one of my favourite bands. But I could not find it in myself to spend more than the absolute minimum amount of time finding the prose in this book between pages and pages of small type lists so I could basically just say I finished it. I kept hoping that the next section would contain some nugget or truth that might justify delving deeper. But, no. The author and the book itself assume the reader's apt attention and passionate desire to know literally every minute detail from the history of this band to keep the pages turning.
Part of writing is research. It's an important part. Books that skip it, fiction or not, are usually garbage. But another part part of writing is synthesis and analysis and communication of that research into a message for an audience. I don't know if I've ever found a book before this one that did the former and not the latter.
I mean, if the subject of the book gave similar feelings when listened to as this book gives - overwhelming exhaustion and the feeling of drowning in a swimming pool of trivial pursuit cards - then I think the book would be justified as an art piece. This book gives me the feelings I am often trying to avoid when I decide to put on a Pink Floyd record.
I can't imagine this pile of colours, shapes, and letters would even be made accessible or open up any reason for its existence if one used mind altering chemicals to try to penetrate it.
This is an oddity. It is a conversation piece. It is a primary source for someone else to use to write a real, engaging, readable biography of one of last century's greatest bands. It is a symptom of something, I'm sure. Or perhaps an item to one day be used as evidence.
I can only recommend this book to some future Pink Floyd biographer, or to anyone who just wants to flip through it at their library and say "Holy shit. This exists."
☠
Trade Paperback
Chicago Review Press, 2010
Originally published 2006 by Mind Head Publishing
Designed by Bradbury and Williams
One Star
March 19-21, 2018
☠
How does one rate such a monumental undertaking? Povey has compiled for us in this massive volume a record of every concert ever played by Pink Floyd, with as much detail possible added to the notes on every single appearance, from set lists, to band lineup, to instruments used. Included are every performance of every member of the band in all their previous bands before joining Pink Floyd, and every performance of every iteration of the bands that would eventually become Pink Floyd. Meticulous bios and timelines are included for every member. Original sources were combed for the greatest accuracy possible, rather than relying on contemporary anecdotes of past events. Photos and posters and set lists and doodles and tickets and memorabilia are collected and included in copious illustrations. Articles by the author pepper the book, synthesizing each section in readable introductions. Every recording session is listed, along with notes of who was present and the results of the sessions. Of course, a detailed discophotography is included.
This massive, glossy, colourful book is a mindfuck.
At a certain point, a tsunami of information ceases to be interesting and just turns into a white noise mess of static. This may be fitting since I now know that one of the earliest recordings of Pink Floyd was basically droning, unlistenable noise. Yes. They sold that as a record, back in the day. That's definitely never coming up in conversation. That's just taking up room in my head now.
I did not read this book. I looked at every page, scanned every picture. I read every article over one paragraph long. It felt like a chore. The writer did not use engaging language, nor communicate his obvious passion for the band or their music in his prose. Words in this book are meant only to convey the most amount of measurable information possible, with no attempt to justify why such information ought to be known.
This is not a book. I mean, it is an item made of pages bound together by a spine, with words inside. But, really. This could have worked wonderfully as an online database. I mean, clearly this was a shit tonne of work. Who would want to know all this besides the author, I could never guess. Why it needed a glossy, colourful presentation on thick pages, I have no idea. It doesn't raise the interest in the content.
To be clear, I like Pink Floyd. They are one of my favourite bands. But I could not find it in myself to spend more than the absolute minimum amount of time finding the prose in this book between pages and pages of small type lists so I could basically just say I finished it. I kept hoping that the next section would contain some nugget or truth that might justify delving deeper. But, no. The author and the book itself assume the reader's apt attention and passionate desire to know literally every minute detail from the history of this band to keep the pages turning.
Part of writing is research. It's an important part. Books that skip it, fiction or not, are usually garbage. But another part part of writing is synthesis and analysis and communication of that research into a message for an audience. I don't know if I've ever found a book before this one that did the former and not the latter.
I mean, if the subject of the book gave similar feelings when listened to as this book gives - overwhelming exhaustion and the feeling of drowning in a swimming pool of trivial pursuit cards - then I think the book would be justified as an art piece. This book gives me the feelings I am often trying to avoid when I decide to put on a Pink Floyd record.
I can't imagine this pile of colours, shapes, and letters would even be made accessible or open up any reason for its existence if one used mind altering chemicals to try to penetrate it.
This is an oddity. It is a conversation piece. It is a primary source for someone else to use to write a real, engaging, readable biography of one of last century's greatest bands. It is a symptom of something, I'm sure. Or perhaps an item to one day be used as evidence.
I can only recommend this book to some future Pink Floyd biographer, or to anyone who just wants to flip through it at their library and say "Holy shit. This exists."
☠
Trade Paperback
Chicago Review Press, 2010
Originally published 2006 by Mind Head Publishing
Designed by Bradbury and Williams
One Star
March 19-21, 2018
☠
June 11, 2016
Really 3.5 stars. While this has a bit of interesting tidbits gleaned from concert dates over the years, if you want the definitive Pink Floyd book, pick up "Saucerful of Secrets" by Nick Schaffner.
Lots of good photos in Povey's book, but this is one to check out at your local library.
Lots of good photos in Povey's book, but this is one to check out at your local library.
November 5, 2023
Great photos, concert posters, tickets, memorabilia. A superb journey through their years active touring (1967 to 1995), what a band. You see the characters and the thoughts behind their work. The closing part of this book form the solo careers of the band members and the discography with all the important works they ever released. I'm a Pink Floyd fan for many years and truly enjoyed this one. Highly recommended!
April 24, 2025
This is a great resource for the ultimate Pink Floyd fan! It provides an overview of all concerts with plenty of pictures and insights.
August 26, 2025
If you're a serious Pink Floyd fan, this has all the details you could ever want to read.
August 27, 2025
Fantastic.
March 5, 2017
Impressively detailed and focused on the musical and visual output of the band (as opposed to the personal gossip that too frequently mars band bios). Read it for the archival accounting of virtually every known Pink Floyd (and pre Pink Floyd and post Pink Floyd) performance. This is a fascinating deep dive for serious Floyd fans (but also a fun page-through for casual listeners). 4.5/5 stars
March 20, 2009
There is a small percentage of people out here in the world who simply cannot get enough "minutiae" (I hope I spelled that right". They like names, dates, and possible scandal, but most of all just the innocent and mundane moment to moment details of events and lives. This is why Civil War books are still so damn popular because there are individuals in the world who get a smug satisfaction on knowing how many rounds were fired at the Battle of Antietam.
When it comes to music, I am that smug person. I love books like this. Books that go over every date and every concert, listing sound check details and set lists and including reviews of local papers of every show. Details as to who was in the recording studio, who played what and who was the producer, engineer, etc. I sit and pore over liner notes in every album that I buy, and this is like a GIANT book of liner notes, and I love it. It also makes me, as my wife pointed out, the biggest Pink Floyd nerd. Well then, so be it.
When it comes to music, I am that smug person. I love books like this. Books that go over every date and every concert, listing sound check details and set lists and including reviews of local papers of every show. Details as to who was in the recording studio, who played what and who was the producer, engineer, etc. I sit and pore over liner notes in every album that I buy, and this is like a GIANT book of liner notes, and I love it. It also makes me, as my wife pointed out, the biggest Pink Floyd nerd. Well then, so be it.
October 14, 2013
Dagli albori con il poliedrico genio malato di Syd Barrett, passando dall'arrivo di Gilmour, toccando le varie occasioni cinematografiche di More e Zabriskie Point fino ai capolavori indiscussi di Dark Side of the Moon, Division Bell e The Wall. Non mancano particolari sulle diatribe interne fra i membri e lo rimangono cristallizzate le emozioni dovute allo scioglimento per motivi puramente economici. Una lezione di storia piacevolissima e ricca di colpi di scena che solo una band come i Pink Floyd poteva essere in grado di vivere.
December 2, 2010
Did I really need a complete compendium of every gig Pink Floyd ever played? No, not really... but someone out there apparently did. So, this one's for you, crazy Pink Floyd fans; 'cause there sure are a lot of you...
(See, I could have turned that into a really bad joke about mentally unbalanced gemstones radiating electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum, but I didn't. That shows restraint.)
(See, I could have turned that into a really bad joke about mentally unbalanced gemstones radiating electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum, but I didn't. That shows restraint.)
June 19, 2010
Any true Pink Floyd fan should own this book. Great reference information. And Tom, although Syd Barrett was a remarkable writer/lyricist (not so much a musician), there was/is more to Pink Floyd after his departure.
January 26, 2011
Troppo dettagliato. Ovvero dettagliatissimo sui concerti, le date, le scalette. Molto più parco sulla storia del gruppo. Quattro stelle è forse troppo, ma tre mi pare seriamente troppo poco
December 29, 2011
Amazing summary of all that is, was and will be Pink Floyd.
From the humble beginnings through the tumultuous times this book covers every detail, feeling and happening.
Highly recommended.
From the humble beginnings through the tumultuous times this book covers every detail, feeling and happening.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews