The psychedelic British band Pink Floyd has truly defined progressive rock and roll. With their explicit lyrics and creatively driven sounds, the progressive rock band has accomplished the heavy influencing of musicians and consumers alike. Founded in 1965 with their debut album release “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” in 1967, the band has sold over 200 million albums worldwide. Having won many awards including but not limited to, “Best Engineered Non-Classical Album” Grammy for The Wall in 1980, a Grammy for “Rock Instrumental Performance” on Marooned in 1995 and the Polar Music Prize for contributing to Contemporary Music in 2008. The band continues to thrive as artist. On January 17, 1996 the band Pink Floyd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 2010 the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
To this day the legendary band is one of the all time greatest icons of the music industry. Their long time label EMI has entered an agreement of development with Pink Floyd. The band will be releasing a series of multi-format programing packages, starting September 26, 2011.
The “Why Pink Floyd” multi-format packaging series is structured for their cross generations of fans. A specially created series of remastered CD’s called “Discovery” and the “Immersion”, CD/ DVD/ Blu-ray memorabilia box sets will be Experience Editions- linked with one classic album and a disc of related content to bring a more cohesive experience.
The super deluxe box sets will submerge fans into alternate takes, unreleased tracks, restored live concert screen films and a live recording of the legendary “The Dark Side Of The Moon” performance at Wembley in 1974.
Roger Faxon, CEO of EMI Group, states, “This is a unique collaboration between EMI and one of the most creative and influential bands in history. We have worked together for more than a year on this programme which incorporates all the elements that have made Pink Floyd one of the most inspiring forces in modern music”.
The bands renowned Art Director, Storm Thorgerson commanded over the visual designs, from new artwork for box sets and the DVD menu content to the new booklets for all of the CD’s. Photographer in her own rights, edited libraries original unseen photographs. American James Guthrie and Brit Andy Jackson were in charge of digital remastering of the highest audio and audiovisual barometers.
Lana Topham, film archivist to Pink Floyd managed the restorations from the bands classic era of historic films involving the “Immersion” box sets for “The Dark Side Of The Moon” and Wish You Were Here.”
The first series of “Why Pink Floyd” multi-format program packaging released on September 26, 2011 consist of:
Pink Floyd “The Dark Side Of The Moon” Masterworks Expanded Deluxe and Special Edition Versions, in a 6-disc “Immersion” box set and “Experience” 2-disc version, also a special vinyl LP for the collector and a variety of digital formats.
In addition 14 digitally remastered 14 studio albums will be obtainable separately or as a box set.
The Second series will be released November 7, 2011 and its contents will be:
Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” 5-disc ‘Immersion’ and 2-disc ‘Experience’ editions.. each with bonus material from the band’s 1974 Wembley dates, attached is a 20 minute live rendition from tour de force of ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’, with an unparalleled recording of ‘Wish You Were Here’ hallmarking jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli.
In addition, various digital formats including a collector’s vinyl LP.
Concurrently being released with the second series is “A Foot In The Door”- The Best Of Pink Floyd is a collection of their most famous songs for the first time on one album. Also launching the 5.1 version of ‘Wish You Were Here’ mixed by James Guthrie by independent label Acoustic Sounds.
In the third and final series features “The Wall” with 7- disc deluxe packages ‘Immersion ‘ set and a 3- disc ‘Experience’ edition. The Wall series will also include a collector’s vinyl LP, as well as many digital formats. The release date for the third series will be February 27, 2012.
Remember… Rhythm Rotates the Earth
By Shawn Murphy
