Pink Floyd Moon Jammin During The Moon Walk

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Pink Floyd And The Moon

Pink Floyd moon jammin' is yet another legend about the band, which recorded Dark Side Of The Moon, that is shrouded in a cloak of mystique and myth. In the BBC studios with scientists and producers during the opening hours of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, Pink Floyd was the pivotal component in a magical moment that was as rare as a Blue Moon.

The result of that moment was a rarely heard Pink Floydian musical trip titled Moonhead.

Jammin' The Moon Shot With Pink Floyd 

July 1969, The National Aeronautical Space Agency (NASA) was on the cusp of not only fulfilling the promise that President John F. Kennedy made in 1962, but also reaching the pinnacle of mankind's dream of reaching up and touching the moon.

There was magic in every corner of our planet as the three American astronauts risked everything while making the journey to the cold, scarred surface of the moon. As those three brave souls trekked to the moon by way of controlled explosions, the rest of the world watched and held its breath. All troubles between us seemed to be washed away as Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins raced to the moon.

Part of that magic happened in the BBC studios in London England. In the television studios to do some taping for a later broadcast, members the band Pink Floyd were caught up in the moment and watching the live broadcasts of the Apollo 11 mission. An idea sparked. The band started to play a free style jam as the scientists, who were acting as commentators, were taking a break. The producers for the coverage of the space mission were moved and allowed the music to be broadcast as the soundtrack for the live coverage.

David Gilmore, lead guitar player for Pink Floyd, says he hadn't hear the results of that jam session/live broadcast until forty years later when the song Moonhead popped in this YouTube video. The video uses the song as a theme for a montage of clips from various moon NASA moon missions, most notably Apollo 17.

Although Moonhead was never realeased, it has shown up on various bootleg recordings over the years. Did Gilmore remember the song and where he was when he recorded it?

"It was fantastic to be thinking that we were in there making up a piece of music, while the astronauts were standing on the moon. It doesn't seem conceivable that that would happen on the BBC nowadays," Gilmour says in his Guardian piece. "We didn't make any songs out of the jam session. We did, on occasions, do music live that would be a jam session of some sort, and I've heard documentaries where I recognize my music. It's very odd to be watching a documentary and to hear something that you know is yourself, but you have no recognition of when you did it or how. I've never forgotten Moonhead, though. After all, it's not hard to remember exactly where I was."

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Pink Floyd 1969 

Wolfgang's Vault - Where live music livesAlthough the music of Pink Floyd had been largely driven by Syd Barett, the band had to force his exit due to what became his nearly constant use of LSD. While the band was on stage, Barett would often just stare while the music when on about him causing shows to be farces. Late in 1968 the band just quit picking him up for gigs.

Even though Barret was no longer a member of the band, his influence had a lasting effect, helping to mold the music that is still today hailed as some the greatest modern music to be recorded. This can be evidenced in the album released in 1969 titled Umma Gumma.

The two vinyl release features live music as well as lengthy unchecked studio recording experimentations. The music seems to be the most polished of their work up to that point, including lyrics that were more focused. Another unique concept of the album was that each band member was responsible for one side of the vinyl, and although individual differences can be heard from side to the next, one can hear clearly that as a whole, Pink Floyd was a band destined for greatness.

Ummagumma

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Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon 

In 1973, Pink Floyd released maybe the greatest album ever to have the rock tag put on it. Dark Side Of The Moon set a record by being on the Billboard Top 200 list for an amazing 741 consecutive weeks.

The album was the first of the band's five concept albums and features themes played out in various musical compositions. "On The Run" was dedicated to travel; "Time" depicted the encroachment of old age; "The Great Gig In The Sky" (originally named "Mortality Sequence" and "Religious Theme" during development) dealt with death; "Money" satirically spoke of the corrupting influence of money that often comes with fame and power; "Us And Them" entailed violence, and futility of war (a theme to which Waters would return, throughout his career) and "Brain Damage" touched on themes of insanity and neurosis.

This is also the first album where the lyrics were totally written by Roger Waters.

Dark Side Of The Moon

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Pink Floyd And Time 

Personally, I feel that Pink Floyd is more than just a rock band and Dark Side Of The Moon is proof. The music is timeless and has has a depth that I can explore and feel the band's artistic message about the chosen themes. Then there's the lyrics. Lyrics that will make me think and consider what it is the band is painting.

If I am asked what song in all of music has the most meaning for me, I will always quickly retort with Time. This song about running away from the grind of the clock reminds me so much of the years of my wasted youth and the scurry to get back on track before the sun sets on me. The Music is as powerful as the lyrics and I will get chills every time I hearit.

This particular version is from the live set Pulse.

Enjoy!

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Wolfgang's Vault

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Adventures In Squidoo

Adventures In Squidoo

The Inspiration 

Humor columnist and lensmaster Marti tweeted about the video for Moonhead and I just happened to be there to see it. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank her and give a shout out to one of the coolest authors on Squidoo.

If you need a really good laugh or want to know the definition of FUGGDUP, go check her lens listed here.

The Senior Squids Showing Their Moons 



The Senior Squids Challenge, The Moon, has been a productive and fun filled trip to that romantic orb in the night sky.

Head on over to the Moon Shot Lensography and check out work from some of the brightest and most artistic lensmasters at Squidoo.

How Was Your Moonwalk? 

What were you doing during the Apollo 11 moon shot? Oh wait, you may have not been around for that. Well.....what are your thoughts about this lens? Do you like Pink Floyd? Maybe you just want to say hello.

Whatever the case, your comments are always welcome.

Thanks!

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My Journey In SquidSpace 

Lensmaster drifter0658 has been a member since October 23 2008, has rated 997 lenses, favorited 732, and has created 105 lenses from scratch. Alex Crabtree donates their royalties to Young Inventors International and ASPCA. This member's top-ranked page is "Riding The Tail Of The Dragon". See all my lenses

My Bio

Born in Southwestern Ohio, and will most likely die there. Joining Squidoo in October 2008, I was attempting some Web 2.0 promotion of my e-store. Quickly I discovered that I had finally discovered my canvas. The ability to paint my vision on this medium has been greatly enhanced by the community here.

My thanks to each and every one of you.




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