From what i can remember in the build up and rumors circling around online in PF forums and in the press it was big news articles in papers daily with updates and once it was confirmed it went nuts people could not believe it was actually happening. As it was a reunion NOBODY ever expected too happen considering the well known split and legal battle. I remember watching it on the day and the talk all thru out the concert was the reunion later on that night and the build up anticipation of it not knowing the set list. The other artists all felt like warm up acts for The Who and Pink Floyd. The Who & Pink Floyd made all other acts that day look like amateurs. The reaction after their set was incredible gobsmacked by what we had seen and in awe of the CN solo. Paul Mccartney may of wanted too close the festival cause of Knebworth but no one talks about his set that night he was a wet wipe in comparison and he could of not topped that reunion or that epic performance of Comfortably Numb no matter how hard he did try no one cared as everyone online and the next day in the press, all everyone was talking about Pink Floyd and their set and how amazing it was.
"When Pink Floyd played Live8 may have been the greatest day of your life, but for Paul McCartney it was just Saturday."
I don’t know how Paul got into this discussion, but his performance was great that night. The line he used to open his set was perfect: “you’re here for the right reason - you want to rock” is one of the coolest pre-show lines ever. Having said that, Pink Floyd was a totally different thing. The performance was so au point, so well rehearsed, so far ahead of everyone else, it seemed the guys had been preparing for that moment for years. The setlist was perfectly paced, Roger’s comments before WYWH (“we’re here standing to Ben counted with the rest of you”) and his mention of Syd were tasteful and that group hug in the end was the most iconic image of the night. I doubt that the event had any impact on what was happening at the G8 convention in Edinburgh, but I suspect that even they stopped whatever they were doing to see Pink Floyd back together. What a moment. Watching on TV, I couldn’t believe what I as seeing and cried
I wasn't crying when I was there, but I was very very tired, had been standing up for at least twelve hours, and was starving. And even through all of that, there was a moment when the wall graphics covered the screens and back of the stage, the Gerald Scarfe writing appeared slowly MAKE POVERTY HISTORY, and I remember consciously thinking I am watching Pink Floyd play Comfortably Numb with Roger Waters and I'm Going To Remember This Forever. It sounded incredible. And it doesn't matter who came on next (heck, God and Jesus could appear on stage and it would have been a damp squib after Pink Floyd that night). It was 11.25. My last train was 11.45 15 minutes walk away or I had a £200 cab ride, and we didn't like McCartney that much. Time to go!
Apparently there were discussions between the organisers and the police before Pink Floyd came on stage about the fact that the show had overrun and that they may have to finish early. Can you imagine the uproar if Pink Floyd hadn't been able to perform after all!
There definitely were - I was getting text messages from home updating me on whether the show would end at 8pm as originally stated or have an extended licence granted at the last minute.
I fell asleep after one too many drinks when I was typing this comment and that's why it looks unfinished What I meant was that I couldn't believe my eyes and cried throughout the entire performance. By Comfortably Numb, I was sobbing. It's weird, like I was seeing my family reunited. Some things you can't explain.
Because at Knebworth, Macca had the penultimate slot, and him extending his set further and further (because he was miffed that he wasn't the closing act) pushed Pink Floyd back further and further. I know Nick wasn't too pleased in his book. So come Live 8, the roles were swapped, but PF stole McCartney's thunder again!
I might be remembering this wrong and I can't be bothered to check. But the part of Live 8 that stuck in my mind was the awkward group embrace at the end as David seemed to try run off quite quickly only to be called back by Roger and awkwardly go along with it. Was clear to me from that it was never going to lead to more shows.
I didn't see much interaction between Roger and Rick either. I don't recall them ever reconciling. Good guy Nick's gonna get along with everyone.
In the rehearsals Roger did try and take over and David had to remind him he is the guest, Roger wanted to play In The Flesh & Brick P2
I guess Nick had the most to gain from a reunion. Dave and Roger could tour anywhere depending on the material they were playing. Rick was happy just touring with Dave. In fairness the Nick he's done well to carve out a late career with his new band but I got the impression he waited and waited until it was absolutely clear there was no PF reunion coming of any kind.
Nick's Saucerful band was my favorite thing that came out last year. Bummer that Covid came along as they were prepared to do a new set. I hope they get a chance to do at least one more tour/concert album.
even when David & Roger met again at Bray Studio's there was still tension there as you can tell it was awkward
Here in the UK the reunion with Roger was massive news - one thing that stood out was how weak Roger's vocals were live on the night, he really crocked along to the verse he sung in Wish You Were Here, no doubt David wasn't going to let him use his backing tapes that he uses on his own tours. Shame it was only 4 songs, one of which is Money which is in my list of all time dirges. But Comfortably Numb and Breathe were majestic.
