Background Information
Pink Floyd is one of the most influential British rock bands of the 20th century. They were formed in 1965 by Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Richard Wright and successfully released several concept albums in the following decades. Songs such as ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ and ‘Wish You Were Here’ remain classics today. The Beatles were also one of the most successful British bands of the 20th century, and they released a string of hits during the 1960s and early 1970s. Although both bands were contemporaries, there is little known about how the Beatles felt about Pink Floyd.
The Beatles Reaction to Pink Floyd
Although Pink Floyd released their first album in 1967, the Beatles weren’t familiar with their music until the late 1960s. It’s believed that while on tour in Los Angeles in 1968, Paul McCartney heard a BBC broadcast of one of their songs, and asked a DJ, “Hey, who’s that?” Lennon and Harrison also commented positively about their music. In an interview for the BBC in 1989, Harrison described how on hearing the opening chords of ‘Money’ he commented, “Oh wow, yeah—this is great!” Moreover, John Lennon described the Atmospheric section of ‘Echoes’ as “brilliant”.
Pink Floyd’s Influence on The Beatles
In spite of Pink Floyd’s initial success, they did not influence the Beatles’ music on a compositional level. Nevertheless, some of their sound elements influenced the Beatles. The band started to pay more attention to sound production. In the song ‘Hey Bulldog’, for instance, the guitar and keyboard intertwine in a way similar to Pink Floyd’s style. Moreover, in 1970, they decided to record most of their last album, ‘Let It Be’, in front of a live audience like Pink Floyd did.
The Beatles Tribute to Pink Floyd
The Beatles paid tribute to Pink Floyd in ‘The Magical Mystery Tour’, their 1967 television film. One of the sequences of the movie is a parody of Pink Floyd’s music video ‘Arnold Layne’, with Ringo Starr as the flamboyant shopkeeper. However, budget constraints meant that they couldn’t produce the type of acid-induced visuals that would have made the spoof more accurate. Finally, during the production of their self-titled double album in 1970, the Beatles recorded an acoustic version of ‘Careful With That Axe, Eugene’, a Pink Floyd piece from 1968.
The Impact of Pink Floyd on The Beatles Long-Term Career
It is difficult to quantify the exact influence Pink Floyd had on the Beatles and their long-term career, but some suggest that without their psychedelic sound and creative use of production techniques, the Beatles’ later work may have taken a different form. The recording techniques and sound design that the band used in their albums such as ‘Let It Be’ and ‘Abbey Road’ were greatly influenced by the work of Pink Floyd, as producers, engineers and band members began to take inspiration from the sonic innovations of the band.
The End of the Beatles and What Their Last Recordings Reveal About Pink Floyd
The Beatles’ break-up in 1970 signaled the end of one of the most iconic bands of all time. After a long and successful career, the band’s members went their separate ways. In 1992, compilation albums were released of the band’s early, unreleased recordings ‘Free as a Bird’ and ‘Real Love’. Comparisons have been made between these and some of Pink Floyd’s later work. Specifically, the melodic shift of ‘Free as a Bird’ mirrors the sound of ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ which was released on Pink Floyd’s 1975 album ‘Wish You Were Here’.
Pink Floyd’s Impression of the Beatles
It is safe to say that the Beatles had a good impression of Pink Floyd. From the Beatles’ references to Pink Floyd, it is clear they respected the band, but exactly what Pink Floyd thought of the Beatles is a bit harder to discern. Roger Waters openly admired the Beatles, and it is well known that Pink Floyd sampled the Beatles song ‘I Am the Walrus’ on ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’, giving a clear indication that they appreciated their work.
The Legacy of the Beatles and Pink Floyd in the Music Industry
Both the Beatles and Pink Floyd are now remembered as two of the most influential bands of the 20th century and have had a lasting impact on the music industry. The Beatles’ catchy songs and unique sound laid the foundations for progressive rock, while Pink Floyd’s ambitious concept albums have been a major influence on subsequent generations of musicians.
The Legacy of the Beatles and Pink Floyd on Contemporary Music
The influence of the Beatles and Pink Floyd can still be heard in today’s music. Pink Floyd remains both an inspiration and influence on many genres of music, from metal to alternative rock. Meanwhile, the sonic experimentation of the Beatles is something that still resonates with contemporary artists worldwide, from hip-hop to indie bands.
The Influence Pink Floyd and the Beatles Had on Each Other
It is difficult to say precisely how each band influenced the other, but it is clear that both had a lasting effect on each other’s music. The Beatles’ move towards a more progressive sound owes a great debt to Pink Floyd, while refracting the acid rock and experimental production of Pink Floyd provided the Beatles with the ideal platform on which to express their creativity.
