Pink Floyd

U2 Opens World Tour in Barcelona

Published July 1st, 2009 by Wendy

ABOVE: U2 dedicated a performance of “Angel of Harlem” to Michael Jackson…we’re not entirely sure why.

More than 90,000 fans piled into Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium last night for the kick off of U2’s 360° Tour, the Irish rockers’ first trek in three years, according to a report on RollingStone.com.

According to the Web site, the concert took place on a massive stage, lovingly called the “Claw” by crew members, and boasted a giant 360 video screen, flowing silk screens and a light show that would have made Pink Floyd jealous.

“We have here a huge production, there’s no denying that. It’s likely the largest rock & roll touring stage production that’s ever been put together,” design architect Mark Fisher was quoted as saying.

U2, one of the world’s most successful acts, opened the show with “Breathe” from their acclaimed new album “No Line on the Horizon,” and went on to play a mix of new and classic songs, including “Angel of Harlem,” which they dedicated to Michael Jackson.

The quartet’s 360° Tour will visit 31 cities across Europe and North America and entertain an estimated three million people.

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New Bryan Adams Stamp Issued in Canada. Pink Floyd Excited, Sex Pistols Not.

Published June 25th, 2009 by Karen

ABOVE: Bryan Adams performs a classic track from the Wall with Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters.
BELOW: Adams performs one of his classic hits.

The Canadian post office (Canada Post) is issuing a series of stamps honoring famous Canadian musicians and composers. While Canadian pop monstrosities like Nickelback, Celine Dion, Alanis Morissette and Rush won’t be showing up in your mailbox any time soon, ’80s superstar Bryan Adams might.

Known for hits such as “Summer of ‘69,” “Run to You,” and sappy prom/wedding favorite “Everything I Do, I Do it for You,” Adams is among the first Canadian music stars to receive this, um, honor.

Oddly enough, this probably is quite an honor for the singer, since Adams seems to be something of a postage enthusiast: In 2004 the Canada Post issued a stamp featuring one of his photographs of Queen Elizabeth II. The Sex Pistols would not be impressed.

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Pink Floyd Co-Founder Dead at 65

Published September 15th, 2008 by Karen

Richard Wright dead at 65.

He may not have been the most well-known member of the band, but keyboardist Richard Wright was with Pink Floyd from the beginning, having co-founded the group with Syd Barrett, Roger Waters and Nick Mason in 1965. (Guitarist David Gilmour joined the fold shortly thereafter.)

Wright penned classic Pink Floyd tracks such as “Us and Them” and “The Great Gig in the Sky.”

The iconic British band became the epitome of psychedelic rock, as well as an archetype of drug-fueled excess as exemplified by the rise and fall of former frontman Barrett.

Wright was expelled from the group during the tumultuous session for The Wall, but remained a side-player throughout the band’s career, formally rejoining for the recording of latter day albums such as the Division Bell—recorded without Waters.

A statement from Wright’s family released to AP reports that Wright passed away after battling cancer. He was 65.

Free Pink Floyd downloads

Pink Floyd Us and Them MP3
Pink Floyd Great Gig In the Sky MP3
Pink Floyd Astronomy Domine MP3
Pink Floyd Goodbye Cruel World MP3

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Top Space Rock Songs

Published February 26th, 2008 by Karen

It sounds like a joke, but according to Yahoo News, today NASA announced plans to crash two spacecraft into the Moon. This destruction of multi-million dollar vehicles is intended to help discover whether there is water/ice on the surface.

Last week, the United States used a missile to shoot down a faltering satellite. Some people think it was just a show of force of our Star Wars military program. Others think it was a way of preventing spy satellite info from reaching other countries.

But maybe, it’s just a case of life imitating art…the art of Mr. Show, that is.

In one of the late, great comedy show’s finest moments, it aired a segment documenting America’s quest to blow up the moon. It’s funny. Watch David Cross, Bob Odenkirk and Sarah Silverman explain the hilarious truth, here.

So, you’re probably wondering what this has to do with music, right?
Easy! It reminded us of how many nifty songs there are about space. So, listen in and sing along as we count down our favorite songs about space.

Top Space Rock Songs

8. “How High the Moon”—Les Paul and Mary Ford
A song about the moon performed by Les Paul, an innovative guitarist and the namesake of pretty much the coolest guitar ever? Oh yeah.

7. “Rocket Man”—Elton John
Whether you want to admit it or not, odds are you’ve caught yourself singing along with this one, in the car or at karaoke.

6. “Astronomy Domine”—Pink Floyd
It’s difficult to pick just one song from this influential group, perhaps the keystone of the space-rock psychedelic movement. But we’re going with this one from the band’s 1967 debut album, Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Dark Side of the Moon seems too obvious.

5. “Fly Me to the Moon”—Frank Sinatra
It’s ok if you think Sinatra wasn’t a rocker. But he totally was. Liquor, booze, gambling and ties to the mob? What’s more rock’n’roll than that?

4. “Man in the Moon”—REM
Hey! Remember REM? Yeah. The band has stunk for about a decade, but it was ok for a while. This song was one of the great, bittersweet moments.

3. “Subterranean Homesick Alien”—Radiohead
While you may remember a previous article about Radiohead (Why Radiohead Sucks), they didn’t always suck. This Bob Dylan inspired track from OK Computer shows us why.

2. “Telstar”—Joe Meek/The Tornados
Released in 1962, this classic instrumental track is named after an early satellite.

1. “Space Oddity” (video)—David Bowie
“Take your protein pills and put your helmet on.”
Better advice was never given in a rock song. Well, at least not one about a doomed astronaut.

What’s your favorite space song from out of this world?
Leave a comment and let us know what’s on your list!