In a candid interview, David Gilmour revealed the pressures behind The Endless River, the last studio album from Pink Floyd, released in 2014. Despite arriving two decades after The Division Bell, this ambient-heavy album faced mixed reviews from fans and critics, many of whom believed it didn’t live up to Pink Floyd’s legendary back catalog. Gilmour recently shared that he felt “bullied” by the record label into completing and releasing the album as an official Pink Floyd project.
The Origins and Challenges of The Endless River
David Gilmour explained that The Endless River originated from hours of ambient and instrumental material produced during The Division Bell sessions in the 1990s. Engineer Andy Jackson had even compiled these recordings into a project called The Big Spliff, which was initially intended to be an instrumental record. However, this material remained unreleased for years, circulating only in bootleg form.
When pressure from the record label mounted, Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason used these archives to create The Endless River, incorporating contributions from late keyboardist Richard Wright, who had passed away in 2008. Former bassist Roger Waters, who left the band in 1985 after The Final Cut, was not involved in the project. Gilmour admitted in his interview with the Los Angeles Times: “My mistake, I suppose, was in being bullied by the record company to have it out as a properly paid-for Pink Floyd record. It was never intended to be the follow-up to The Division Bell.”
David Gilmour’s Reflections on The Endless River Reception
The lukewarm reception of The Endless River disappointed the band and fans alike. Critics and listeners argued that it lacked the energy and innovation of earlier Pink Floyd albums. For Gilmour, the album didn’t serve as a fitting farewell to the band’s illustrious career, but it was, nevertheless, a tribute to the band’s history, with ambient soundscapes highlighting Wright’s keyboard artistry.
Life After Pink Floyd: David Gilmour and Nick Mason’s Projects
Since the release of The Endless River, David Gilmour has continued to work on his solo music, most recently releasing Luck and Strange, his first album of original material since 2015. He has also embarked on global tours to promote his new work. Meanwhile, Nick Mason formed his band, Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, which celebrates early Pink Floyd material. The group features members of The Blockheads and The Orb and focuses on the band’s psychedelic roots.
Roger Waters has also kept busy, releasing solo material and revisiting Pink Floyd classics. In celebration of The Dark Side of the Moon’s 50th anniversary, he created The Dark Side of the Moon Redux, a reimagined version of the legendary album, showcasing his unique interpretation of the iconic songs.
Why Pink Floyd Sold Their Back Catalog to Sony
Pink Floyd recently sold the rights to their music and likeness for £400 million to Sony, a decision made after years of negotiation. David Gilmour explained his reasons for agreeing to the sale, emphasizing the importance of preserving the band’s legacy. “It’s history — it’s all past,” Gilmour said. “This stuff is for future generations. I’m an old person. I’ve spent the last 40-odd years trying to fight the good fight against the forces of indolence and greed to do the best with our stuff that you can do.”
Approaching his 80th birthday, Gilmour stressed the need for a trusted organization to manage the band’s recordings, though he made it clear that he retained control over publishing rights. “[Sony] bought the records, the recordings, and can do what they want. But if it comes on an advert, I’m not gonna give a shit,” he quipped, explaining that while the company has freedom over the recordings, there are still separate agreements needed for the music’s future use.
This sale aligns with a trend among aging musicians, with artists like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan also selling their catalogs to ensure their music endures for generations to come.
