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Rick wright was such an underrated songwriter, He wrote some of my favorites, summer 68, paintbox, it would be so nice, seesaw, remember a day, great gig in the sky
I didn't. Dave Gilmour explained, a long time ago, in an interview in a guitar magazine. He said that the secret of the Pink Floyd sound was that Rick Wright played a Farfisa - an Italian version of a Vox electronic organ - through a long chain of state-of the art analog delays. The Group's sound was carefully mixed, from the beginning - allowing their fabled experimentation to be presented in a musical way. Since the group worked for EMI, they had access to all the latest gear available.
@@DavidSmith-ss1cg Thats very interesting, although I think there is more than one secret to the Pink Floyd Sound (I'm going to start calling them that just to sound snobby:) Certainly that sound on 'set the controls for the heart of the sun' is something other than else. But then I remember reading the lyrics and an article about them and while it sounds 'scifi' its really got nothing to do with that. Thats yet ANOTHER secret to them, to think that everybody thinks of them as a drug band, and yet none of them were even taking drugs apart from booze. I love that clip oif them in the canteen eating eggs and chips all while thinking about 'time'. Thats wild shit. If you looked at these guys you'd never suspect that this music would come out of them. David looked like a male prostitute, Roger a bricklayer, Nick a record executive, and Rick a school teacher. I'm not much of a believer in fate or god, but its like if there were a multiverse, then the only constant would have to be 'the pink floyd sound'. Its inevitable.
It’s crazy that Waters once asked Wright “what do you contribute?” Not the great lyrics and theme, not the great guitar and percussion but, he created everything else. Mood, ambiance, expansion, and delicacy. All the things that make PF incredible.
The keyboards will do that, especially a 70s prog-rock band. I love Rick's playing and some songs he co-wrote with Rog (Us And Them, Stay - which Rick called his favorite, but that might have been before DSOTM)... Gilmour said worse in interviews around 1981... Wanted to get rid of Nick, but his best friend was Roger, David and Roger would just hire a drummer for stuff Nick couldn't do, like "Mother" (David called up Jeff Porcaro), and they also got Andy Newmark to play on "Two Suns In The Sunset" who went on to play (very well) drums on "The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking"... There's a quote by Gilmour saying, "He got sacked from the band because he wasn't contributing anything".
I think that Waters was asking him that during The Wall sessions. The poor guy was circling the drain and THEY gave him the boot. A very much "what have you done for me lately?" sort of band. I'm glad he's gotten a reappraisal because he was a key (pardon the pun) component of that band, and as his presence receded they stopped sounding like Pink Floyd. Not even Syd's absence affected their sound as much as Rick's absence. (Piper to More vs. WYWH to The Final Cut). *(didn't include Saucer, Animals or the Wall because those are the albums where each of the two were marginalized)*
At 42:24, the track he is talking about is Dominoes. Jerry Shirley, the drummer for these sessions talks about this very event, that Sid could not get it right, but as soon as Dave Gilmour plays the track in reverse, Syd nails it in one take, insane.
This is such an important historical record. This band created timeless music that it seems to me will interest people well into the future. For those who want to understand the history of this group and it's music, this interview is of enormous importance. I have personally found the story of Syd Barrett to be a fascinating mystery. While none of us may know the complete truth of what happened to him from 1968 into the early 1970s, such insightful comments by Richard Wright as John has drawn out and recorded here are so important to making some sense of this unfortunate situation. For those who appreciate the genius of Syd's music as well as that of the band during and after his involvement, this is just priceless information. Thank you for capturing it before it was too late.
I think Rick was one of the most integral components of the Floyd sound. His textures and ability to manipulate and bend sounds was simply magical. He’s criminally under appreciated but without his playing Floyd just wouldn’t have had “that sound.” The earlier records have some of my favorite playing and writing from Rick, it seems his input was utilized way more on those pre Dark Side records. His jazz and classical influences definitely brought something unique to Pink Floyd’s approach to writing music. Thanks so much for these interviews, hearing their insight on these things is priceless.
Great interview. Rick is magnetic in this interview. I found myself hanging onto his every word. He manages this without being forceful or imposing in his manner. He has a gentleness and an honesty about him which is hard to resist, and very engaging. So sad he is no longer with us.
Richard Wright is so sensitive to Syd Barrett as a person, creative force and visionary: his respectful tone doesn't garnish the legend but lets the real man breathe. He seems almost haunted and yet fond of the memory of Syd, to complement his perfectly. Saying he 'wasn't good with words' makes his words more believable.
Syd Barrett and Rick Wright are my absolute favourite Pink Floyd's members. There is a kind of 'purity' and honesty about them, that the others don't have, musically and artistically. I love Pink Floyd, even after the Piper, but I really believe that without Syd they wouldn't have done what they did.
David Gilmour is my favourite guitarist of all time, Pink Floyd my favourite band. My favourite song is Great Gig in the Sky. Just Richard Wright and that voice reaching into my soul.
I am touched by the great appreciation for Rick Wright in all the comments. My high school friend lend me an audio cassette with The Dark Side of the Moon in 1978. I listened to Beatle records usually, but this was something from a different galaxy, touches all nerves not just 'a nerve', Rick made sure of that. Then one discovers Barrett, a musical genius on par with the greatest pop artists in history. Why did he lose all his mojo?
i love how John waits for complete silence before launching into the next question and often the interviewee thinks of something additional without further prompting
Syd wrote poems in a notebook and pink floyd stole the notebook when syd would not cooperate in the way they wanted and took credit for his poems. It is obvious when you listen to what the lyrics are saying. Only a genious like syd could write such profound lyrics.
I remember the documentary first being broadcast and I thought it was so good I immediately bought the DVD. The interviews stood out! I'd not realised that the interviewer was actually the person responsible for the actual documentary. I do now, though John! When the 2 disc edition came out I had to get that for the extra interview footage. What I find interesting about seeing these full versions is that if I remember correctly, you are not heard in the documentary, which gives the interviews a real sense of intimacy. Bloody good work!
Rick was my fave keyboard player even over Eddie Jobson just something about his style, choice of sounds and ability to put the perfect part in every Floyd song. Very sadly missed from millions of us, RIP Richard!
I could listen to Rick all day long! What an amazing talented yet humble guy! My kids say the same thing about me growing up in the 70's and 80's, wishing they could have grown up when I did (because nothing is going on now except phones). Count myself lucky to have grown up as a child when I did and to have been exposed to the greatest musical acts like Pink Floyd!
It is obvious that richard was beyond comfortable all the eay during the interview and that makes it even easier to listen to it Congratulations for this amazing work you have gathered on these channel, definitely something to be proud of
A fantastic upload John! This is a brilliant interview with Rick. Rick also sheds some light on just who wrote “Two Of A Kind” although his memory is foggy, he confirms that he actually wrote the song….Well, sort of - ish.🤣 Actually, he doesn’t at all….Seems he got the song confused with another! Another frustrating mystery unsolved.
David Gilmour: «In my view, all the greatest Pink Floyd moments are the ones where he is in full flow. No-one can replace Richard Wright - he was my musical partner and my friend.» «In the welter of arguments about who or what was Pink Floyd, Rick's enormous input was frequently forgotten. He was gentle, unassuming and private but his soulful voice and playing were vital, magical components of our most recognised Pink Floyd sound. Like Rick, I don't find it easy to express my feelings in words, but I loved him and will miss him enormously. I have never played with anyone quite like him.»
Richard Wright always comes across as a true gentleman. And in my opinion, he is often overlooked and underrated by Pink Floyd fans due to all the well-deserved attention given to Gilmour and Waters (and Barrett). But Dark Side of the Moon and other classic PF albums owe a lot to Richard's songwriting, keyboard playing, and voice. Listening to his performances with David Gilmour on the "Remember That Night" and "Live in Gdansk" DVDs, it's quite clear to me what a key part he played in Pink Floyd's sound.
I don't know. I hear a lot about Gilmour and Waters from many Pink Floyd fans, and not a lot about Richard Wright. In my view, that makes him underrated or overlooked. But that's just my experience; your experience might be different.
@@Paul71H So what some uneducated people who were "wannabe" Pink Floyd fans in your social bubble... you decided Richard Wright was overlooked and underrated... It could be true for your limited social group... Outside of it Richard Wright was crucial part of the group who gave it the unique style and sound...
@@danender5555 "Richard Wright was crucial part of the group who gave it the unique style and sound..." I completely agree with this part of your comment. As to my "limited social group," everyone's social group is limited. Your limited group might have different views from my limited group, and I acknowledged that in my previous comment. As I said in my original comment, the view that I put forth is "in my opinion." There is no need to use the word "idiot" just because someone's opinion or personal experience differs from yours.
@@Paul71H your responses to @Dan Ender shows that you sir are a true gentleman. Being able to lucidly explain your point of view without resorting to personal insults or preferential slights is the hallmark of all successful civil discourse. Well done.
Superb John! Thanks so much for your gift of getting your subjects to speak so sincerely and freely with you, drawing a viewer so deeply into what they are saying. Really great interviewing to get to feel the pain shared with you, balanced with the great times that these musicians and deep friends (despite the disputes) had with Syd Barrett. It's so obvious that whatever may have transpired, they were all deeply connected to eachother, writing songs and performing them in music, when not simply improvising together for better or worse. The sheer driving rock fun of Syd's Lucifer Sam say, with the anguish of Wish you were here. Even Rick and Roger's brilliant "Us and them" has a different twist when seen not just an anti-war song, but about the kind of alienation that Syd may have experience: "and the front man died?".
Such a Genuine Gentleman. Talented doesn’t even begin to describe Rick nor does it do him Justice. I miss his contribution to this world and it’s a far less bright world without him.
What a humble Gentleman. Every reason to be egotistical but all he does is credit his band mates for the magical sounds. That sound was due in large part to his masterful tone. he was totally brilliant. God speed Richard Wright!
The sound of DSOTM was largely due to Richard Wright. Sure, Roger Waters wrote the music, David Gilmour played guitar, but Rick offered layers of sound that tied it all together.
There's a lovey bit in the Nicholas Schaffner book where he's interviewing Rick, on the Momentary Lapse/Delicate Sound of Thunder tour, in a hotel lobby and a young boy comes and asks for Rick's autograph. The lad shyly asks what Rick things of Roger Waters (this is when litigation was still flying back and forth) and Rick simply says "he's a very clever man". A beautiful soul.
Oh man, I love him just as much as I thought I would. PF has been my favorite band since the late 70s. The story about the 20 minute interlude while they fought backstage was hilarious.
After all these years im not convinced syd was nuts as they claim. Something does not add up with the narrative. I was a listener when no one even knew. Same with many artists but something is off. What it is i dont know but i certainly have my opinions. There is something missing.
Yes. Many up and coming bands have had a 'casualty' before they find their creative niche and go commercially stratospheric. I believe MK was used extensively and trauma based therapy was the norm to trigger productivity. It is possible that Syd resisted and something like electric shock therapy may have been overused. It is easier to tell the world that he was an acid casualty and canonise him after death. Gilmour(mason and future handler of Kate Bush), was probably brought in as preparation for what was to come, hence his generosity to keep Syd on the payroll until death.
Not convinced yet they were all there and knew the man first hand. If you can't take them at their word then literally everything else is all guesswork
Well, Syd was in the age range when schizophrenia usually comes forth. I knew people in that era who were referred to as burnouts. Whether drugs alone or a combination of drugs and underlying mental health issues, I don’t know. Anecdotally, I dropped acid between 400-500 times as i was dealing it at that time. If it caused damage that was never revealed in any obvious way. I took the SATs one day after tripping at a concert and scored 1490 combined and 99 on the ASVAB tests before entering the military for two years of schooling to become a Data Systems Technician. Perhaps, I’m an outlier where LSD is concerned. It’s a tremendously powerful and often frightening hallucinogen. We’ll never know definitively what caused the ruin of Syd. He continued to create (in a fashion) and lived to a reasonable age, all things considered. His band mate’s contemporaneous observations indicated a rapid decline over a short period of time which is the best evidence available to blame it on overdose of acid.
Im a big fan of this gentleman. I think Wet Dreams is the best solo album by any of the members. His contribution is huge to the development of the sound that is Pink Floyd.
the american band stand interview is on youtube now, and it didnt seem to happen the way richard tells it at 35:02 , dick brought up the hamburgers and syd did answer dicks question , although he seemed very dull, and did stare blankly at the camera during the song at some points when he was supposed to be miming the lyrics, the editor seems to cut away from syd for long periods of time also, which suggests that syd was probably not singing when he was supposed to be
Richard Wright says that he published one song, "Two of a Kind," that was on a B-side of a single by Peter and Gordon. There is no record of such a single at Discogs. However, Adam, Mike, and Tim put out a single, "You're the Reason Why," written by Richard Wright, in 1964. I think that Richard Wrights' memory failed him. There's another interview with Wright, from around the same time as this one, in which Wright ducked the question of authorship of "Two of a Kind," saying that he'd have to look into it. Oddly, neither Richard Wright nor Jerry Shirley has any recollection of accompanying Syd Barrett for the 1970 Peel Sessions, during which "Two of a Kind" was performed. Those sessions feature drumming and an organ, although "Two of a Kind" has no keyboards. Shirley got credit on the Peel Sessions release, but Wright didn't. Gilmour played bass. So, it's not out of the question that neither Shirley nor Wright was involved in the John Peel sessions, and Wright appears to have confused "Two of a Kind" with "You're the Reason Why." We still don't know who wrote "Two of a Kind." It sounds more like Barrett's "Here I Go" style than any of the Richard Wright songs I've heard.
Devil's advocate: Stay also sounds like a Syd song. Painfully so. I really like your reasoning tho. You're right, it's a mysterious song hiding in plain sight.
Nice interviewing here and on Gilmours interview where both guys get a little testy when 'The Wall' gets brought up. Nice save on that, Rick is more the 'gentleman' on that, but I guess both these guys are kind of sick to death of talking about the nasty days-or avoiding talking about them. And I get the feeling that a condition of the interview is "we're just talking about Syd right?' It was very nice that Rick got to have that enjoyment of them all playing together once more. To David's point where he says "the Wall" 'lacked soul', I think he is right, but I also think given its content it HAD to 'lack soul'. Otherwise would be like a paint by numbers picture of Guernica where you can 'colour it up'. Dark Side worked because they were very simple sentiments so the complex soulful music helped 'sell' the pretty middle school lyrics. The Wall was a very different thing, and if it DID 'have soul' or had music to 'lighten the load' then it would be something very different, and something not as useful or prescient for these times. That last paragraph I should probably have posted on daves interview, but I don't think its that much of a distraction.
"A lot of musicians came out of architecture school...." Funny, in the eighteenth century, an incredible number of musicians came out of law school. Handel, Kozeluch, Telemann.... In fact, Telemann didn't want to disappoint his father, so he completed his law degree AND became one of the greatest musicians of his age.
if you could remember being in the agricultural parts of the new forest in the 1960s it was because you were in the agricultural parts and not in a handful of large houses in Burley or Beaulieu or Damerham or Exbury where a few lucky bastards were enjoying being in the 60s 😮❤️
Okay well the tape doesn't lie. The song they played on Dick Clark was apples and oranges, and you can simply watch it. And the amount of time before Syd says hamburgers is like a second. Might have felt like more than that to those guys. But the important part is they were already playing apples and oranges. So like Rick says memories are painted by stuff...
I love so much Rick Wright, and his honesty. I think he was only one genuinely capable of saying thing like he said at the very end of that interview (about the influence Syd Barrett had on young people. Effectively, it wasn’t at all about The Wall or Dark Side area.
Really enjoy this content but the memories of Syd are just thwarted, and sometimes I think the band and others just refer to the myths rather than reality, prob due to thier fading memories, for example if you watch the interview in USA regarding the "hamburgers" quote Syd did not stare into space and then just say Hamburgers as Rick said it was much different Syd infact answered all questions put to him in normal respectful manner. it was Roger who said he liked the Cheeseburgers as it was he who was asked the question about American food.
At 49:20 when discussing Syd showing up during the making of Shine on You Crazy Diamond he says Syd "stood up and said when should I play the guitar" - Was Syd asking to rejoin the group and not as far out of it as they thought or was he completely gone? That is something I hadn't seen until this interview. If they had said yes I wonder what would have happened.
I seem to remember hearing somewhere (Rosemary? Rob Chapman?) that Syd went there for a laugh. Maybe playing up the crazy. We'll never never know but I think it's a nice thought. I would have loved to hear a 1974 PF jam with Syd, but maybe Syd was just intentionally making things awkward. I find Syd's weird 74 guitar fragments strangely compelling.
Listen to WYWH album, 75% of everything you hear is Rick! At least half of Dark Side is down to him as well. Small wonder the other 3 don't want to carry on, Rick was half the band!
He's also said he only did drugs twice and the second time he found himself sitting in the middle of a busy road so stopped. Nick has said the band was divided between topers and tokers, he and Rog swigged Whisky Macs for choice in the early days whereas Rick would smoke weed.
I guess it's common knowledge, I don't know. S(hine on)Y(ou) (crazy)D(iamond). Like Lucy in the Sky of Diamonds: LSD. I guess Waters took the idea from that Beatles' song. Specifically because of the acid reference.
Syd's sister Rosemary believes the act of showing up in 75 was "in jest" and I tend to agree. He knew they were going to be there, and I think in a way it was his way of saying "look what you've made me into." He was actually there for several days. I think the whole shaving all his hair off was that no one would recognize him, press him for interviews, etc. Sadly the pressures of fame, and drug use, put an insane toll on his psyche. But was he crazy, absolutely not.
His sister was and is in denial. She knows or should know full well the extent of his mental illness. Her mother was forced to leave her home for a year and live with her because she was unable to deal with Syd’s outbursts. He was eventually taken away from the home, in a fit of rage, in a straitjacket. It is a sad tragedy, and trying to make it something else to fulfill hippie narratives is a disservice to his earlier genius.
You're a star for that! I think you've hit the nail on the head. I bought the Barrett Peel Session on vinyl on its release in 1988 and I'd never heard 2 of A Kind before that. It's just SO Syd! I was astonished to hear Rick claim to have written it a few years later. Rick's clearly confused as you say, Peter and Gordon never recorded it. Wikipedia was even claiming that the first issue of The Peel Session credited it to Rick. My issue IS the first release with the limited edition metallic bronze cover and it's credited to Syd. In fact I can't find any release on Discogs which credits it to Rick, so I've changed it on WP!
Yes I also bought that EP on first release and noted the composer credit conflicted with what they said. Strange indeed. I actually first heard it on a bootleg cassette I bought in 1980 and the DJ can be heard on that tape saying it’s “something of a Rick Wright composition”.
@@nickhirst999 There's some writing from the 90s that might clear it up, can't remember where I read it, possibly in the Amazing Pudding fanzine - from about when the Peel Session with Barrett was released on Strange Fruit. It seems Rick wrote the song for Syd to perform, as Syd was short of new material for the Peel session. They had been working together on Barrett album sessions, hadn't they? With Dave Gilmour.
@@frankshailes3205 I have the complete set of The Amazing Pudding! I was a subscriber. No, Rick's clearly got it wrong. The Reason Why, was from 1964 and that's clearly what he's talking about. Since Syd was going into the studio to start recording the Barrett album 2 days AFTER recording the Peel session (for which Rick wasn't present although he seems to think he was in the above!) I wouldn't think he'd be short of new material since all of the songs in the Peel session except Terrapin would be new to the radio audience as Barrett hadn't been recorded yet. Even if you take it that Rick does mean 2 of A Kind above, then he says he wrote it even before he went to architecture school which rules him out writing it for Syd. I think the most telling thing is from a Q & A session Rick did when he is specifically asked about who wrote 2 of A Kind. He says: "Can't answer. I'm looking into this!" It's clearly Syd's song. It sounds nothing like Rick and everything like Syd!
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Rock On !! John
Amazing interview, Rick is missed by all Floyd fans
I agree ...He was brilliant .
When the band started, they were known as The Pink Floyd.
The George Harrison of Pink Floyd
Best member in my opinion! I miss him! 🥹
Floyd the Barber?
Rick wright was such an underrated songwriter, He wrote some of my favorites, summer 68, paintbox, it would be so nice, seesaw, remember a day, great gig in the sky
A lot of people forget how much he contributed to the Pink Floyd sound, he was a huge part of the band. RIP Rick
Funny..I heard they were known as "The Pink Floyd Sound" at one point!
I didn't. Dave Gilmour explained, a long time ago, in an interview in a guitar magazine. He said that the secret of the Pink Floyd sound was that Rick Wright played a Farfisa - an Italian version of a Vox electronic organ - through a long chain of state-of the art analog delays. The Group's sound was carefully mixed, from the beginning - allowing their fabled experimentation to be presented in a musical way. Since the group worked for EMI, they had access to all the latest gear available.
@@DavidSmith-ss1cg Thats very interesting, although I think there is more than one secret to the Pink Floyd Sound (I'm going to start calling them that just to sound snobby:) Certainly that sound on 'set the controls for the heart of the sun' is something other than else. But then I remember reading the lyrics and an article about them and while it sounds 'scifi' its really got nothing to do with that. Thats yet ANOTHER secret to them, to think that everybody thinks of them as a drug band, and yet none of them were even taking drugs apart from booze. I love that clip oif them in the canteen eating eggs and chips all while thinking about 'time'. Thats wild shit. If you looked at these guys you'd never suspect that this music would come out of them. David looked like a male prostitute, Roger a bricklayer, Nick a record executive, and Rick a school teacher. I'm not much of a believer in fate or god, but its like if there were a multiverse, then the only constant would have to be 'the pink floyd sound'. Its inevitable.
It’s crazy that Waters once asked Wright “what do you contribute?” Not the great lyrics and theme, not the great guitar and percussion but, he created everything else. Mood, ambiance, expansion, and delicacy. All the things that make PF incredible.
The keyboards will do that, especially a 70s prog-rock band. I love Rick's playing and some songs he co-wrote with Rog (Us And Them, Stay - which Rick called his favorite, but that might have been before DSOTM)... Gilmour said worse in interviews around 1981... Wanted to get rid of Nick, but his best friend was Roger, David and Roger would just hire a drummer for stuff Nick couldn't do, like "Mother" (David called up Jeff Porcaro), and they also got Andy Newmark to play on "Two Suns In The Sunset" who went on to play (very well) drums on "The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking"... There's a quote by Gilmour saying, "He got sacked from the band because he wasn't contributing anything".
What has always been required is Waters getting the kicking of a lifetime.
That level of arrogance should have been checked early.
As Gilmour stated after Rick died…”there is no Floyd without Rick.”
I think that Waters was asking him that during The Wall sessions. The poor guy was circling the drain and THEY gave him the boot. A very much "what have you done for me lately?" sort of band. I'm glad he's gotten a reappraisal because he was a key (pardon the pun) component of that band, and as his presence receded they stopped sounding like Pink Floyd. Not even Syd's absence affected their sound as much as Rick's absence. (Piper to More vs. WYWH to The Final Cut).
*(didn't include Saucer, Animals or the Wall because those are the albums where each of the two were marginalized)*
At 42:24, the track he is talking about is Dominoes. Jerry Shirley, the drummer for these sessions talks about this very event, that Sid could not get it right, but as soon as Dave Gilmour plays the track in reverse, Syd nails it in one take, insane.
Fyi David Gilmour also talks about this episode here th-cam.com/video/RQhxEpXEaNA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=sCKsos5DrsDHl0p5
This is such an important historical record. This band created timeless music that it seems to me will interest people well into the future. For those who want to understand the history of this group and it's music, this interview is of enormous importance. I have personally found the story of Syd Barrett to be a fascinating mystery. While none of us may know the complete truth of what happened to him from 1968 into the early 1970s, such insightful comments by Richard Wright as John has drawn out and recorded here are so important to making some sense of this unfortunate situation. For those who appreciate the genius of Syd's music as well as that of the band during and after his involvement, this is just priceless information. Thank you for capturing it before it was too late.
Mad respect for releasing this, John. Great interview :) Rick and Nick were the reason I came to the Floyd. RIP Rick, miss your keyboards and voice 😞.
Thanks so much !
I think Rick was one of the most integral components of the Floyd sound. His textures and ability to manipulate and bend sounds was simply magical. He’s criminally under appreciated but without his playing Floyd just wouldn’t have had “that sound.” The earlier records have some of my favorite playing and writing from Rick, it seems his input was utilized way more on those pre Dark Side records. His jazz and classical influences definitely brought something unique to Pink Floyd’s approach to writing music. Thanks so much for these interviews, hearing their insight on these things is priceless.
Great interview. Rick is magnetic in this interview. I found myself hanging onto his every word. He manages this without being forceful or imposing in his manner. He has a gentleness and an honesty about him which is hard to resist, and very engaging. So sad he is no longer with us.
Thanks for posting.
Wow This is a very nice interview, knowing more about Syd and Rick. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This man is the heart of their cinematic sound. He took the drama from the old movies and played it very well in the band.
Richard Wright is so sensitive to Syd Barrett as a person, creative force and visionary: his respectful tone doesn't garnish the legend but lets the real man breathe. He seems almost haunted and yet fond of the memory of Syd, to complement his perfectly. Saying he 'wasn't good with words' makes his words more believable.
I agree, but it took a certain time for that part to come out during the interview. In the second half he started to be honest and profound about syd
Syd Barrett and Rick Wright are my absolute favourite Pink Floyd's members. There is a kind of 'purity' and honesty about them, that the others don't have, musically and artistically. I love Pink Floyd, even after the Piper, but I really believe that without Syd they wouldn't have done what they did.
80 mins! Thank you for uploading this, John.
My pleasure. It certainly took some retrieving .. but I’m happy I can now share it.
Thanks for this John. It's so lovely to hear the whole thing, finally, a beautiful conversation. And so open and honest and sincere. Many thanks. 🙏
My pleasure!
David Gilmour is my favourite guitarist of all time, Pink Floyd my favourite band. My favourite song is Great Gig in the Sky. Just Richard Wright and that voice reaching into my soul.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
A tremendous contribution! Thanks so much for sharing this!
My pleasure
I am touched by the great appreciation for Rick Wright in all the comments. My high school friend lend me an audio cassette with The Dark Side of the Moon in 1978. I listened to Beatle records usually, but this was something from a different galaxy, touches all nerves not just 'a nerve', Rick made sure of that. Then one discovers Barrett, a musical genius on par with the greatest pop artists in history. Why did he lose all his mojo?
Thanks so much for such a great appreciation!
i love how John waits for complete silence before launching into the next question and often the interviewee thinks of something additional without further prompting
Thank you !
This interview is absolutely brilliant.
Thanks!
Syd wrote poems in a notebook and pink floyd stole the notebook when syd would not cooperate in the way they wanted and took credit for his poems. It is obvious when you listen to what the lyrics are saying. Only a genious like syd could write such profound lyrics.
Thank you Rick! There is nothing like Syd’s songs. They are timeless.
More like rubish
I remember the documentary first being broadcast and I thought it was so good I immediately bought the DVD. The interviews stood out! I'd not realised that the interviewer was actually the person responsible for the actual documentary. I do now, though John! When the 2 disc edition came out I had to get that for the extra interview footage. What I find interesting about seeing these full versions is that if I remember correctly, you are not heard in the documentary, which gives the interviews a real sense of intimacy. Bloody good work!
Thanks so much!!
@@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES where do you buy it?
Rick was my fave keyboard player even over Eddie Jobson just something about his style, choice of sounds and ability to put the perfect part in every Floyd song. Very sadly missed from millions of us, RIP Richard!
In my opinion, the only synthesizer player in the 70's who never sounded like everyone else playing synthesizer in the 70's.
This is a treasure! My utmost thanks!
My pleasure
Very happy to watch these full version interview, thank you.
My pleasure!
A remarkably articulate man. Could listen to him all day. The greatest band of them alll
Black Lace were good. too.
Yet another serious and splendidly insightful interview ... Thank You John, Excellent !
Thanks so much Ralf!
Great,great interview.
So nice to hear two grownups just talking quietly and intelligently, not trying to hype it up or find a soundbite.
The great Rick Wright. So under valued
I could listen to Rick all day long! What an amazing talented yet humble guy! My kids say the same thing about me growing up in the 70's and 80's, wishing they could have grown up when I did (because nothing is going on now except phones). Count myself lucky to have grown up as a child when I did and to have been exposed to the greatest musical acts like Pink Floyd!
Ricks input to the Pink Floyd sound cannot be overlooked, many strings to this mans bow.
And trombone! Multi-instrumentalist and great harmonic vocalist too.
He seems like a really good bloke. Great musician too.
It is obvious that richard was beyond comfortable all the eay during the interview and that makes it even easier to listen to it
Congratulations for this amazing work you have gathered on these channel, definitely something to be proud of
Thanks so much !
Great interview, well-done
Thanks, John. Terrific interviewing skills and respectful.
Thank you for this. Made my day!
My pleasure!
A fantastic upload John! This is a brilliant interview with Rick. Rick also sheds some light on just who wrote “Two Of A Kind” although his memory is foggy, he confirms that he actually wrote the song….Well, sort of - ish.🤣 Actually, he doesn’t at all….Seems he got the song confused with another! Another frustrating mystery unsolved.
Loved this guy! Watched him at a couple of the Pulse concerts, truly a musical genius, as they all are! No band could compare!
David Gilmour: «In my view, all the greatest Pink Floyd moments are the ones where he is in full flow. No-one can replace Richard Wright - he was my musical partner and my friend.»
«In the welter of arguments about who or what was Pink Floyd, Rick's enormous input was frequently forgotten. He was gentle, unassuming and private but his soulful voice and playing were vital, magical components of our most recognised Pink Floyd sound. Like Rick, I don't find it easy to express my feelings in words, but I loved him and will miss him enormously. I have never played with anyone quite like him.»
Thank you for posting this.
Man... after watching these interviews I am having an obsession with PF with several windows open researching about all the details I don't know.
Richard Wright always comes across as a true gentleman. And in my opinion, he is often overlooked and underrated by Pink Floyd fans due to all the well-deserved attention given to Gilmour and Waters (and Barrett). But Dark Side of the Moon and other classic PF albums owe a lot to Richard's songwriting, keyboard playing, and voice. Listening to his performances with David Gilmour on the "Remember That Night" and "Live in Gdansk" DVDs, it's quite clear to me what a key part he played in Pink Floyd's sound.
Only idiot can say that Richard Wright was overlooked and underrated.
I don't know. I hear a lot about Gilmour and Waters from many Pink Floyd fans, and not a lot about Richard Wright. In my view, that makes him underrated or overlooked. But that's just my experience; your experience might be different.
@@Paul71H So what some uneducated people who were "wannabe" Pink Floyd fans in your social bubble... you decided Richard Wright was overlooked and underrated... It could be true for your limited social group...
Outside of it Richard Wright was crucial part of the group who gave it the unique style and sound...
@@danender5555 "Richard Wright was crucial part of the group who gave it the unique style and sound..." I completely agree with this part of your comment.
As to my "limited social group," everyone's social group is limited. Your limited group might have different views from my limited group, and I acknowledged that in my previous comment. As I said in my original comment, the view that I put forth is "in my opinion." There is no need to use the word "idiot" just because someone's opinion or personal experience differs from yours.
@@Paul71H your responses to @Dan Ender shows that you sir are a true gentleman. Being able to lucidly explain your point of view without resorting to personal insults or preferential slights is the hallmark of all successful civil discourse. Well done.
Richard was such a nice man I bet he and David were really upset seeing Syd going downhill Syd and Richard had great voices when singing together
loving my mono playback function on the UAD!!! R.I.P RW. Legend!!!
what a great interview thank you for uploading. Tony Leics uk
My pleasure!
Rest N peace bro thanks for the amazing sounds
This looks great def gonna check this out! Thanks for the post!
Superb John! Thanks so much for your gift of getting your subjects to speak so sincerely and freely with you, drawing a viewer so deeply into what they are saying. Really great interviewing to get to feel the pain shared with you, balanced with the great times that these musicians and deep friends (despite the disputes) had with Syd Barrett. It's so obvious that whatever may have transpired, they were all deeply connected to eachother, writing songs and performing them in music, when not simply improvising together for better or worse. The sheer driving rock fun of Syd's Lucifer Sam say, with the anguish of Wish you were here. Even Rick and Roger's brilliant "Us and them" has a different twist when seen not just an anti-war song, but about the kind of alienation that Syd may have experience: "and the front man died?".
Thanks! Really insightful stuff!
"Front ranks died"
Such a Genuine Gentleman. Talented doesn’t even begin to describe Rick nor does it do him Justice. I miss his contribution to this world and it’s a far less bright world without him.
he cheated on his wife by impregnating a roadie. Talented musician but NOT a gentleman.
What a humble Gentleman. Every reason to be egotistical but all he does is credit his band mates for the magical sounds. That sound was due in large part to his masterful tone. he was totally brilliant. God speed Richard Wright!
Rick was a well-spolen and kind man.
Amazing work John! Thanks for sharing, it really means a lot :)
Thanks!
The sound of DSOTM was largely due to Richard Wright. Sure, Roger Waters wrote the music, David Gilmour played guitar, but Rick offered layers of sound that tied it all together.
Interesting interview
Amazing interview. Richard and Roger and all of the Pink Floyd organization are a great influence and are greatly respected. ✌
rick's wet dream is one of my fav albums ..thanks for the lovely music that you gave us..
thanks rick,,,great gig in the sky,,,,,rip
i was very impressed at how complimentary Rick was of roger despite their falling out
There's a lovey bit in the Nicholas Schaffner book where he's interviewing Rick, on the Momentary Lapse/Delicate Sound of Thunder tour, in a hotel lobby and a young boy comes and asks for Rick's autograph. The lad shyly asks what Rick things of Roger Waters (this is when litigation was still flying back and forth) and Rick simply says "he's a very clever man". A beautiful soul.
I wonder if Rick truly realised his contribution to the PF sound.
Oh man, I love him just as much as I thought I would. PF has been my favorite band since the late 70s. The story about the 20 minute interlude while they fought backstage was hilarious.
Soundtrack from More or Ummagumma. If I gotta choose.
"when should I put the guitar on?" Oh man... Syd... 😭😭😭😭
After all these years im not convinced syd was nuts as they claim. Something does not add up with the narrative. I was a listener when no one even knew. Same with many artists but something is off. What it is i dont know but i certainly have my opinions. There is something missing.
Yes. Many up and coming bands have had a 'casualty' before they find their creative niche and go commercially stratospheric. I believe MK was used extensively and trauma based therapy was the norm to trigger productivity. It is possible that Syd resisted and something like electric shock therapy may have been overused. It is easier to tell the world that he was an acid casualty and canonise him after death. Gilmour(mason and future handler of Kate Bush), was probably brought in as preparation for what was to come, hence his generosity to keep Syd on the payroll until death.
Not convinced yet they were all there and knew the man first hand. If you can't take them at their word then literally everything else is all guesswork
Well, Syd was in the age range when schizophrenia usually comes forth. I knew people in that era who were referred to as burnouts. Whether drugs alone or a combination of drugs and underlying mental health issues, I don’t know. Anecdotally, I dropped acid between 400-500 times as i was dealing it at that time. If it caused damage that was never revealed in any obvious way. I took the SATs one day after tripping at a concert and scored 1490 combined and 99 on the ASVAB tests before entering the military for two years of schooling to become a Data Systems Technician. Perhaps, I’m an outlier where LSD is concerned. It’s a tremendously powerful and often frightening hallucinogen. We’ll never know definitively what caused the ruin of Syd. He continued to create (in a fashion) and lived to a reasonable age, all things considered. His band mate’s contemporaneous observations indicated a rapid decline over a short period of time which is the best evidence available to blame it on overdose of acid.
Im a big fan of this gentleman. I think Wet Dreams is the best solo album by any of the members. His contribution is huge to the development of the sound that is Pink Floyd.
Wet Dream, not Dreams.
Wet Dream is a good solo album, but Amused to Death of Waters is just superb
Excellent
I'd welcome fully the opportunity to work with him in the future near.
As always, Rock on family!!!
H.L
🎶
The ending is perfect.
I miss Rick being here, so much. He’s had a strong impact on me.
Totally agree, for over half my life I have been a fan of his work. It was ethereal, magical stuff, completely understated.
great insightful interview!
great quality
Thanks so much !
Man, I wish there was a recording of the Syd freakout shows. Had to be unique as anything
the american band stand interview is on youtube now, and it didnt seem to happen the way richard tells it at 35:02 , dick brought up the hamburgers and syd did answer dicks question , although he seemed very dull, and did stare blankly at the camera during the song at some points when he was supposed to be miming the lyrics, the editor seems to cut away from syd for long periods of time also, which suggests that syd was probably not singing when he was supposed to be
Richard Wright says that he published one song, "Two of a Kind," that was on a B-side of a single by Peter and Gordon. There is no record of such a single at Discogs. However, Adam, Mike, and Tim put out a single, "You're the Reason Why," written by Richard Wright, in 1964. I think that Richard Wrights' memory failed him.
There's another interview with Wright, from around the same time as this one, in which Wright ducked the question of authorship of "Two of a Kind," saying that he'd have to look into it.
Oddly, neither Richard Wright nor Jerry Shirley has any recollection of accompanying Syd Barrett for the 1970 Peel Sessions, during which "Two of a Kind" was performed. Those sessions feature drumming and an organ, although "Two of a Kind" has no keyboards. Shirley got credit on the Peel Sessions release, but Wright didn't. Gilmour played bass.
So, it's not out of the question that neither Shirley nor Wright was involved in the John Peel sessions, and Wright appears to have confused "Two of a Kind" with "You're the Reason Why."
We still don't know who wrote "Two of a Kind." It sounds more like Barrett's "Here I Go" style than any of the Richard Wright songs I've heard.
Thanks..fascinating sleuthing !
Devil's advocate: Stay also sounds like a Syd song. Painfully so.
I really like your reasoning tho. You're right, it's a mysterious song hiding in plain sight.
I listen to this to develop my British accent 🩵
How much i am into them , The Pink floyd✨🌚
i wish he could know how much i love him
Nice interviewing here and on Gilmours interview where both guys get a little testy when 'The Wall' gets brought up. Nice save on that, Rick is more the 'gentleman' on that, but I guess both these guys are kind of sick to death of talking about the nasty days-or avoiding talking about them. And I get the feeling that a condition of the interview is "we're just talking about Syd right?' It was very nice that Rick got to have that enjoyment of them all playing together once more.
To David's point where he says "the Wall" 'lacked soul', I think he is right, but I also think given its content it HAD to 'lack soul'. Otherwise would be like a paint by numbers picture of Guernica where you can 'colour it up'. Dark Side worked because they were very simple sentiments so the complex soulful music helped 'sell' the pretty middle school lyrics. The Wall was a very different thing, and if it DID 'have soul' or had music to 'lighten the load' then it would be something very different, and something not as useful or prescient for these times. That last paragraph I should probably have posted on daves interview, but I don't think its that much of a distraction.
The song “King Bee” was written and first performed by Slim Harpo in 1957.
We all love you, Rick.
"A lot of musicians came out of architecture school...." Funny, in the eighteenth century, an incredible number of musicians came out of law school. Handel, Kozeluch, Telemann.... In fact, Telemann didn't want to disappoint his father, so he completed his law degree AND became one of the greatest musicians of his age.
Who knows what was going through Syd's mind.
But it rightfully shaped the Pink Floyd future.
if you could remember being in the agricultural parts of the new forest in the 1960s it was because you were in the agricultural parts and not in a handful of large houses in Burley or Beaulieu or Damerham or Exbury where a few lucky bastards were enjoying being in the 60s 😮❤️
Hi John. Thanks for sharing.
There appears to be a problem with the aspect ratio. Lost in uploading perhaps?
Sometimes I wonder if Syd got into the same batch of acid (and groupies?) as what took out Peter Green.
Okay well the tape doesn't lie. The song they played on Dick Clark was apples and oranges, and you can simply watch it. And the amount of time before Syd says hamburgers is like a second. Might have felt like more than that to those guys. But the important part is they were already playing apples and oranges. So like Rick says memories are painted by stuff...
I love so much Rick Wright, and his honesty. I think he was only one genuinely capable of saying thing like he said at the very end of that interview (about the influence Syd Barrett had on young people. Effectively, it wasn’t at all about The Wall or Dark Side area.
Mr Wright the reason the dark side of the moon was such a iconic album is.............................Pink Floyd Richard RIP......
Pink Floyd are with Yes and VDGG thee best progressive rock bands EVER!
RIP Rick and Syd!!!!
What a great musician Richard Wright was. I believe he was responsible for the 'sound' of Pink Floyd leading up to "Dark Side of the Moon'.
This guy must be a close cousin ir even a brother to Syd. They look so much alike.
Really enjoy this content but the memories of Syd are just thwarted, and sometimes I think the band and others just refer to the myths rather than reality, prob due to thier fading memories, for example if you watch the interview in USA regarding the "hamburgers" quote Syd did not stare into space and then just say Hamburgers as Rick said it was much different Syd infact answered all questions put to him in normal respectful manner. it was Roger who said he liked the Cheeseburgers as it was he who was asked the question about American food.
At 49:20 when discussing Syd showing up during the making of Shine on You Crazy Diamond he says Syd "stood up and said when should I play the guitar" - Was Syd asking to rejoin the group and not as far out of it as they thought or was he completely gone?
That is something I hadn't seen until this interview. If they had said yes I wonder what would have happened.
I seem to remember hearing somewhere (Rosemary? Rob Chapman?) that Syd went there for a laugh. Maybe playing up the crazy. We'll never never know but I think it's a nice thought. I would have loved to hear a 1974 PF jam with Syd, but maybe Syd was just intentionally making things awkward. I find Syd's weird 74 guitar fragments strangely compelling.
@@jordil6152 That's possible. You have researched this more than I.
Listen to WYWH album, 75% of everything you hear is Rick! At least half of Dark Side is down to him as well. Small wonder the other 3 don't want to carry on, Rick was half the band!
Roger has said that about 1973 or 1975 he was smoking a lot of hash.
Larry Fisher:He wasn't alone.
He's also said he only did drugs twice and the second time he found himself sitting in the middle of a busy road so stopped. Nick has said the band was divided between topers and tokers, he and Rog swigged Whisky Macs for choice in the early days whereas Rick would smoke weed.
I guess it's common knowledge, I don't know. S(hine on)Y(ou) (crazy)D(iamond). Like Lucy in the Sky of Diamonds: LSD. I guess Waters took the idea from that Beatles' song. Specifically because of the acid reference.
47:44
Syd...When shall I put the guitar on?
this is BOOM💔 heartbreaking.
Actually it was Roger that said hamburgers...
Wright is my hero man
Syd's sister Rosemary believes the act of showing up in 75 was "in jest" and I tend to agree. He knew they were going to be there, and I think in a way it was his way of saying "look what you've made me into." He was actually there for several days. I think the whole shaving all his hair off was that no one would recognize him, press him for interviews, etc. Sadly the pressures of fame, and drug use, put an insane toll on his psyche. But was he crazy, absolutely not.
His sister was and is in denial. She knows or should know full well the extent of his mental illness. Her mother was forced to leave her home for a year and live with her because she was unable to deal with Syd’s outbursts. He was eventually taken away from the home, in a fit of rage, in a straitjacket. It is a sad tragedy, and trying to make it something else to fulfill hippie narratives is a disservice to his earlier genius.
My favourite member of Pink Floyd, such subtlety xxxxx
Like with Fast Eddie Clarke, I could listen to Rick for hours.
Wow “Two of a Kind” wasn’t recorded by Peter and Gordon. I think he’s confusing this with the Adam Mike and Tim b-side he wrote called The Reason Why.
You're a star for that! I think you've hit the nail on the head. I bought the Barrett Peel Session on vinyl on its release in 1988 and I'd never heard 2 of A Kind before that. It's just SO Syd! I was astonished to hear Rick claim to have written it a few years later. Rick's clearly confused as you say, Peter and Gordon never recorded it. Wikipedia was even claiming that the first issue of The Peel Session credited it to Rick. My issue IS the first release with the limited edition metallic bronze cover and it's credited to Syd. In fact I can't find any release on Discogs which credits it to Rick, so I've changed it on WP!
Yes I also bought that EP on first release and noted the composer credit conflicted with what they said. Strange indeed. I actually first heard it on a bootleg cassette I bought in 1980 and the DJ can be heard on that tape saying it’s “something of a Rick Wright composition”.
@@nickhirst999 There's some writing from the 90s that might clear it up, can't remember where I read it, possibly in the Amazing Pudding fanzine - from about when the Peel Session with Barrett was released on Strange Fruit. It seems Rick wrote the song for Syd to perform, as Syd was short of new material for the Peel session. They had been working together on Barrett album sessions, hadn't they? With Dave Gilmour.
@@frankshailes3205 I have the complete set of The Amazing Pudding! I was a subscriber. No, Rick's clearly got it wrong. The Reason Why, was from 1964 and that's clearly what he's talking about. Since Syd was going into the studio to start recording the Barrett album 2 days AFTER recording the Peel session (for which Rick wasn't present although he seems to think he was in the above!) I wouldn't think he'd be short of new material since all of the songs in the Peel session except Terrapin would be new to the radio audience as Barrett hadn't been recorded yet. Even if you take it that Rick does mean 2 of A Kind above, then he says he wrote it even before he went to architecture school which rules him out writing it for Syd. I think the most telling thing is from a Q & A session Rick did when he is specifically asked about who wrote 2 of A Kind. He says: "Can't answer. I'm looking into this!" It's clearly Syd's song. It sounds nothing like Rick and everything like Syd!
@@nickhirst999 Excellent, I was a subscriber too though sadly not from the very start. Great times.