Pink Floyd Moon Jammin During The Moon Walk

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."

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!