Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8705 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Review
'The most complete and extensive work on the history of Pink Floyd yet' --Record Collector Book of the Year

'The most in-depth Floyd biography yet' --The Word

'This is, in short, an easy and enthralling read...what really makes Blake's book one of the finest on Floyd there is, is the minutiae of the detail it offers...tasty morsels for Pink Floyd fans to feed on. --Classic Rock, December 2008

Q, October 2007
"A detailed, orderly, first-rate read..." 4 out of 5 stars

MOJO, October 2007
"Mark Blake does Pink Floyd justice with some heroic research..."
4 out of 5 Stars

Customer Reviews

Most enjoyable read
I have read a fair few Floyd books now including Nick Masons and i have to say this is by far and away the best and most comprehensive. It starts right back at the begining in the mid 60's right through to 2007, covering literally everything. It also covers their solo ventures during and after Floyd and also gives great info on how all the albums faired in the US and the UK (Solo's included). He must have been working on this book for years. I was very impressed that he mentioned Dave Gilmour turned up on Parkinsons show in 1999 as a session guitarist for Paul McCartney who was having a full show dedicated to him. Dave Gilmour was never mentioned on the show and i only noticed myself that he was there playing. Very impressive research. I learn't a lot about the band and its members that i never knew and will have to read it again as its hard to remember everything. Its a great story and also quite sad (Syd's decline). Roger Waters comes out of it the worst, looks like he gave Gilmour a very hard time and the rest of the band also. His ego and tempermant being his main problem. And considering the abuse he has taken, Dave Gilmour comes out of it with dignity in tact.

If your a Floyd fanantic or a casual music listener with a passing interest in the band, its a must buy.

Filling the empty spaces
Having enjoyed Nick Mason's insider's view of the Floyd, I found this book to be the perfect companion volume. Blake doesn't suffer from Mason's need to ameliorate the bad feeling and massage the egos of the people with whom he grew up. This means Blake can take a more objective assessment of what happened with Syd Barrett, and just exactly what went on during the recording of "The Wall" to kick off such bad vibes between Roger Waters and the rest of the band. Where Nick Mason, diplomatically following Gilmour's lead, chose to 'forget' details, Blake interviews not just the band members, but others who were involved on the management, production and session aspects. Nobody comes out smelling of roses, and it's clear that there was often more than two sides to many of the conflicts, and more players than those who were officially in the band.

An excellent book for anyone interested in the Floyd story.

A Human Interest Story
There have been many books written about Pink Floyd, but apart from 'A Saucerful Of Secrets' by Nicholas Shaffner, which was written in the 1980's, none of them have even tried to examine the characters that make up the band. 'Pigs Might Fly' goes far far beyond 'A Saucerful Of Secrets' as the writer seems to have interviewed dozens and dozens of people close to Pink Floyd, especially when they were growing up in Cambridge. This means lots and lots of new stories and recollections you haven't read hundreds of times before. It sometimes misses the fresh input of the band themselves if only to help explain their actions over the years. But overall this is a fascinating read, which will surely turn out to be the last word on Pink Floyd at least until Roger Waters or David Gilmour dare to tell their stories. Don't hold your breath!