Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd [Paperback]

Nick Mason (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 17, 2005

Here, for the first time, is the story of Pink Floydfrom the inside out. With 116 million albums sold worldwide and 25 years on the pop charts to their credit, Pink Floyd is one of the most successful rock groups in history, yet their storyuntil nowis one of the least known. The only continuous member of the band through its entire 40-year history, Nick Mason has witnessed every twist, turn, and sommersault from behind his drum kit. The journey begins with the band's origins as the darlings of London's late 1960s underground and the creation of the classic Pink Floyd sound, all the way through to The Wall and those legendary stadium shows. Here are the players who shaped the band's history and the story behind the storythe inside perspective on, for example, the deterioration and departure of Syd Barrett; the overwhelming success of The Dark Side of the Moon and the resulting pressures and conflicts within the band, including the rift with Roger Waters; and Nick and David Gilmour's decision to put their reputations on the line and continue as Pink Floyd. Packed with rare photographs and vintage Floyd graphics from Nick Mason's extensive private archive, Inside Out is an eye-opener for both veteran fans and those just discovering the group. And, in keeping with the classic Floyd style, the book's cover was designed by Storm Thorgerson, creator of such iconic images as the Dark Side pyramid. Always candid, by turns poignant and funny, Nick's own memories are augmented with extensive research and interviews, making Inside Out a comprehensive history of one of the most brilliant and imaginative bands the world has knownand a masterly memoir of rock and roll.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The landmark British psychedelic band Pink Floyd's founding drummer limns the group, named after two early bluesmen, in a profusely illustrated coffee-table tome. The band's spacey arrangements, instrumentation, and light shows made it famous; the drug-burnout fate of original leader Syd Barrett, who was later institutionalized, helped, too. As Barrett's legend grew, his former colleagues moved the band closer to the rock mainstream and scored massive hits with such albums as Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. Mason tracks the outfit's progress from the members' meeting in art school a la the Who, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, and other revered British rockers. He details the band's journey from jazzy R & B to the psychedelic explorations that eventually dominated its output. Given Pink Floyd's erstwhile association with mood-altering substances, the more recent story of band members' children's covert strategy to score at a concert is particularly piquant. Incisive, and freighted with pictures, this is a lush treat for the band's considerable fandom. Mike Tribby
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

'quietly wise and witty memoir... brave honesty and some surprisingly engaging technical stuff' EVENING STANDARD --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (March 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811848248
• ISBN-13: 978-0811848244
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 8.5 x 11.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Portraits
  • #95 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > History & Criticism

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

229 of 256 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Pink Floyd Lite March 30, 2005

By Doctor Quartz

Format:Paperback

Nick Mason gives an interesting history of Pink Floyd, that's a little light on anecdotes. I enjoyed this book immensly but know I would have enjoyed the manuscript even more, if I'd seen it before David G. and Roger W. had a go at it with their correcting pens (Nick--Ya shouldn'ta let em monkey with it!). What's missing from this book? The juicy stuff. Nick is the most expendable member of the band (drummers usually are), so he must be careful about what he says and not step on anyone's toes. Either that or he has intentionally (or otherwise) forgotten the past. Let me give you a few examples. He toured with Jimi Hendrix but though there are photos, there aren't any Jimi Hendrix stories in the book. His description of Pink Floyd brief meeting with the Beatles is so devoid of concrete detail, that it's pathetic. He also doesn't flesh out Syd Barrett or David G.'s personalities and barely manages a fresh glimpse of Roger W. This is "Pink Floyd Lite." The book reminded me a little bit of George Harrison's autobiog. "I Me Mine" in which John Lennon doesn't appear. You don't get much more than a few superficial paragraphs on Syd Barrett. There are tantalizing sentences and suggestions everywhere in the text that made me curse under my breath. Like why did the Floyd members feel enormous guilt about what happened to Syd? Mason tells us that partly his descent into insanity was their fault. OK, so what does that mean? What did they do to Syd? (There are hints to the answer to that question in some Syd Bios that are out--and in that dreadful bubble-gum "Saucerful of Secrets" faux-Pink Floyd bio.) Why did Roger Waters's songwriting become so dark after Wish You Were Here? Why did Roger get so mean--given that some of his early songs have incredible light, whimsy, optimism and humor?... What's the extended story behind Waters own mental breakdown--the one he mentions in the Syd DVD? And where are the sex and drugs, the groupies and excess? Ladies and Gentlemen, this bio ain't Rock n' Roll!!! I love Nick Mason--he and his fellow band members have given me the soundtrack for some of the happiest and sometimes strangest (though wonderful) days of my life. I understand Mason's polite reticense (thankyou for the fantastic photos and the bubbly-Brit text) but now will someone please finally write an insightful, in-depth, appreciative, detailed, comprehensive, warts-and-all, book--full of humanity, the money and the folly (with the story of each of their songs)--about this unbelievably wonderful band! I think it could be one of the most interesting and instructive tales of its time. Read more ›

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Desert Island Pink Floyd Book January 31, 2006

By Kent D. Bentkowski

Format:Hardcover

This is THE book to get on the history of Pink Floyd. What a couple of the other reviewers have missed in their own assessment of this book, is that it is the personality of Nick Mason that most comes out in his writing --- there is a reason WHY he is the ONLY band member to have appeared on EVERY album in their 40 year career!

If you are here to get the GOSSIP RAG version of their history, then perhaps one of the other books out there would be more to your liking.

The thing that really got me in reading this book, was the recounting of the Syd Barrett visit while the band was recording the Wish You Were Here album. I always thought that story was legend only, a fantasy dreamt up by someone with too much time on their hands. However, on pg. 211 is a Polaroid photograph of Syd, which truly brought a tear to my eye.

It is a shame what a bad combination drugs and mental illness had on the man. And, Syd's inexplicable comments about the "pork chops" in his fridge, well, it seemed like I was reading a transcript of someone with bipolar disorder. What a shocking and sad episode; the band would have been quite a bit different with Syd instead of David, that is for sure.

Inside the book are some great rare photographs, that show a human side to this supergroup. As I have had the chance to see them several times, the Pink Floyd put on THE BEST stage show, bar none! The only performer who comes close in theatrical presentation, is Peter Gabriel. But, even HE is a distant second. And, David Gilmour is the absolute most emotive blues guitarist I have ever seen in concert, or heard on record.

This book is not an exhaustive facts-only type of read.... It is one man's memories, and the single reason why you should get this book, was because it was written by an actual band member. The hardcover book is made with the best paper and inks, and the binding will hold up over the years to come. The design elements used in the book (and cover dustjacket) were done by Storm Thorgerson and will be familiar to those who know Pink Floyd's work from 1987-1994 and beyond. Read more ›

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have March 11, 2005

By Kenneth Haltom

Format:Paperback

A complete history written by the most laid back drummer in rock history. Mason is the one constant in Floyd and the only member of the band who could do its legacy full justice. The photos alone are worth the price of the book. The section on Syd is honest and respectful and of course the determination of Gilmour and Mason to keep the band going is riveting. It should never be underestimted how difficult emotionally and logistically that decision was. All fans of the band should take a look.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Celebrate Floyd April 10, 2005

By Grilch

Format:Paperback

This is the first book I've ever read on the Floyd and I chose it because it was written by a guy who ought to know wot's...uh, the deal. Nick is the only member who was in the band from start to finish(?) so I respect his perspective. He certainly doesn't gloss over the more tempestuous moments in the band's history (i.e. Syd Barrett's departure and the infamous schism in the 80s) but he's extremely diplomatic and even-handed so those looking for the juicy details are bound to be disappointed. The book is more a celebration of the band and on that level it suceeds marvelously. Nick is an excellent writer (assuming he wrote it all himself) and a sharp, witty guy. All that would be enough for me but it must be said the pictures alone are worth the price. This is a large, luscious volume that I enjoyed a lot. I only wish Nick hadn't let the other Floyd members add their revisions; this contributes the heavily "authorized" feel of the book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Get this book May 9, 2005

By RDW

Format:Paperback

Its important to know that Roger, Rick and Dave were all given copies of this book before it was published, and they ALL added comments, so i think this is a well-rounded perspective of Pink Floyd.

Inside out is a great book on the story behind Pink Floyd. Nick Mason is the only Floyd member to perform on ALL albums. I think he is well qaulified for the history of Pink Floyd. Though i dont think he was in the loop of Waters and Gilmours feud, he certainly provides good perspective. If this book were written by Waters, it would be heavily biased. Reading about the bands success and communications issues provided good insight. i just wish i could have gotten my copy signed by the man himself. The pictures in this book, you will not find on the internet. All fans should have this book.