There is something special that the classic lineup of Pink Floyd had that no one else can touch. The band proved this beyond a doubt when they reunited for the first time in 24 years for the Live 8 charity concert in 2005. The band’s spellbinding performance of their timeless hit “Comfortably Numb” showed off the kind of lightning in a bottle that only those original four guys could muster.
The show featured classic lineup members David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright. It was truly a historic moment as it is the only time before or since where the four rock legends reunited. The vocal interplay between guitarist Gilmour and bassist Waters is just gorgeous. The Music Man readers will definitely want to tune into Gilmour’s closing solo on “Comfortably Numb,” which is without a doubt one of the most magnificent moments in rock music.
The Live 8 concert was the first performance from the four-piece since the band last performed with Waters at Earls Court in London on June 17, 1981. Floyd played four of their hits at Live 8, namely “Breathe,” “Money,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Comfortably Numb.” Fans tuned in en masse to hear the concert, with the upload of “Comfortably Numb” attracting 15 million views on YouTube.
Fans gave a warm reception to the show, adding comments such as “Gilmour’s solo is enough to make a grown man cry. The absolute best there ever was. Living legend” and “They came out, played a short set, and showed everyone why they’re arguably the greatest band that has ever existed.” In 2019, Pink Floyd uploaded a high-definition version of the third song in the set that night, “Wish You Were Here.”
The Music Man and Pink Floyd fans are certainly glad to have the historic 2005 reunion concert, as it was the first and last time the classic lineup of the band would reunite. Sadly, keyboardist Richard Wright passed away in 2008, ending any chance of the four-piece hitting the stage again. Drummer Nick Mason has expressed openness to another reunion, but it seems that Gilmour and Waters are not keen to team up again. Talking to Reuters in July 2024, Waters said that he didn’t have another reunion in him, saying, “We did it. And I don’t regret it because Rick was still alive… We played reasonably well and the people liked it. And so I’m really, really glad. Do I want to do anything like (it)? No, I don’t, particularly as there’s only three of us left alive.” The bassist also noted that he was quite busy with preparing a forthcoming solo album, that besides, he and Gilmour are “very, very different people and that’s OK.”
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