Posted on: September 10th, 2008 Wish You Were Here…Not Really
David Gilmour says there will never be a full on Pink Floyd reunion. The British rock icon and one of the wealthiest musicians in all of the U.K. raised fans’ hopes when the band performed at the Live 8 charity concert in London in 2005. It was the first time in almost a quarter of a century that Gilmour and estranged bandmate Roger Waters had appeared onstage together. But apparently once was enough. “The gig itself was excellent, really enjoyable,” said the 62-year-old guitarist and singer from The Astoria, his houseboat/recording studio on the River Thames. “The rehearsals were less enjoyable. The rehearsals convinced me it wasn’t something I wanted to be doing a lot of.”
He has a famously testy relationship with bassist and singer Waters, who walked away from Pink Floyd in 1985. “There have been all sorts of farewell moments in people’s lives and careers which they have then rescinded, but I think I can fairly categorically say that there won’t be a tour or an album again that I take part in”. “It isn’t to do with animosity or anything like that. It’s just that I’ve done that. I’ve been there, I’ve done it.” Gilmour’s latest project is a solo album and tour, captured on “David Gilmour Live in Gdansk,” a double concert album and DVD to be released Sept. 23 on Columbia Records. Gilmour says he’s happy these days to play the old Floyd songs. “I don’t like the idea of going out without a new album, without some new music to play,” he said. “But people have come long distances and paid a lot of money to see a show. I want to give them a bit of what they expect and will enjoy”. He says music is “one of the important things in my life, but it’s not the only thing. My family are more important. If I had to give one up, I wouldn’t be giving my family up”.
