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The thought that Pink
Floyd would ever reunite was only always but a dream. It would happen only when hell froze over or
pigs flew! Well surprise surprise... get out your overcoats and watch out for falling pig droppings!
On Sunday June 12th 2005, the news flashed around the world, that Pink Floyd were to reunite for
the July 2nd 2005 Live 8 London concert. Because these rumors have proliferated on the Internet and in
the media consistently for the past 15 years, many like myself, were quite skeptical. However, on
Monday June 13th, Mark Fenwick, Roger Waters' Manager, confirmed to REG that on July
2nd, in less than 3 weeks time, Roger Waters would indeed join Pink Floyd band members Dave Gilmour,
Nick Mason and Richard Wright to perform at the "Live 8" benefit concert in London's Hyde Park.
Pink Floyd's classic line-up was reunited on stage for the first time in 24 years. Roger Waters last performed on stage with Pink Floyd at London's Earls Court in 1981. The Live 8 concert, was a sequel to the massively successful 1985 Live Aid benefit concert, which again was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to help fight African poverty. Pink Floyd was by far the main headlining band to perform at the London Hyde park show, joining other rock icons which included Madonna, REM, U2, Sir Paul McCartney, The Who, Sir Elton John, Coldplay and Robbie Williams. The Hyde Park concert was one of six performed around the world. Also on July 2, Live 8 shows were staged in Philadelphia with Dave Matthews Band, Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Will Smith, Sarah McLachlan, Jay-Z and P. Diddy; in Paris with Jamiroquai, Placebo and Andrea Bocelli; in Berlin with Lauryn Hill, Brian Wilson and Crosby, Stills & Nash; and in Rome with Duran Duran, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. A sixth concert featuring Annie Lennox, Dido and Travis was performed in Edinburgh Scotland on July 6, the day the G8 summit kicked off. It was hoped that the concerts would put pressure on leaders of the G8 and Russia to do more to fight poverty and AIDS in developing nations. When asked before-hand about the show, Roger Waters said: "It's great to be asked to help Bob raise public awareness on the issues of third world debt and poverty. The cynics will scoff, screw 'em! Also, to be given the opportunity to put the band back together, even if it's only for a few numbers is a big bonus." Likewise, before the show, David Gilmour was quoted as saying: "Like most people I want to do everything I can to persuade the G8 leaders to make huge commitments to the relief of poverty and increased aid to the third world. It's crazy that America gives such a paltry percentage of its GNP to the starving nations. Any squabbles Roger and the band have had in the past are so petty in this context, and if reforming for this concert will help focus attention then it's got to be worthwhile." Each of the many bands that played at the Live 8 show was restricted to just a 20 minute sets. Unfortunately, a reunion after 24 years or not, Pink Floyd was not given any special treatment. They were forced to abide by the time limit and were only able to play four songs. "Breathe," "Wish You Were Here," "Money," and "Comfortably Numb." For those that were there, the spectacle of Roger Waters playing on stage with Dave Gilmour, Rick Wright and Nick Mason was truly awe inspiring. One could not move, think, or imagine. Mouths were gaping open in amazement, eyes wide and unblinking witnessing the return of legend, ears enthralled by the captivating sound of true Pink Floyd, REAL Pink Floyd before your eyes for the first time in a quarter of a century!! It was beyond imagination!! Beyond thrilling!! Beyond the hopes and dreams of millions of fans! Now that Pink Floyd have reunited for this one show, and after 15 years of Roger Waters categorically refusing to ever play with his former bandmates again, the question that everyone has been asking... Will they do it again? Or was this really only a once in a lifetime happening? Since Pink Floyd were only allowed to play for 20 minutes, it is hoped that they might get together again, perhaps for another benefit show, to play a proper full length concert! Even more of a Pink Floyd fan fantasy come true would be that the band actually TOUR! Better yet... since we're all dreaming... wouldn't it be great if Pink Floyd reunited for good and Roger wrote new Pink Floyd material, and they released a new album... and then toured!!?? I would always have scoffed before and said I won't be holding my breath. But never in my wildest dreams did I think this reunion would happen. And now that hell has frozen over and pigs can fly... ANYTHING is possible. In fact, the mood back stage after the show was more than jovial... more than friendly! Dave and Roger and Nick and Rick talked together and joked with one another. It was all smiles for these once band mates, then former arch enemies, now seemingly good friends! Talking back stage with each Pink Floyd member revealed a very very positive feeling about playing together again. They all said they enjoyed being together again very much... especially Roger and Dave!!! And the way both acted around one another, it seemed as though the past quarter century never happened. All hatchet's buried, all transgressions forgiven.
So... will Pink Floyd ever play again? I'd pretty much bet on it!
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