Product Details
Comfortably Numb

Comfortably Numb
By Mark Blake

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Product Description

In July 2005 in Hyde Park, before a global audience of millions, Pink Floyd performed together on stage for the first time in 24 years. From the moment the metronomic pulse of a heartbeat thudded out to begin "Speak to Me" to the soaring guitar solo that climaxed "Comfortably Numb," these self-effacing men in their late fifties stole the show. Almost a year later, the death of their troubled founder-member Syd Barrett made headline news worldwide. Both events signaled a kind of closure to the remarkable tale of one of the world's biggest bands. Now, in the first full-length history of the group for more than fifteen years, Mark Blake tells the story of how a group of middle-class Englishmen conquered the world. Drawing on his own interviews with all of the band members, interviews with the group's friends, road crew, producers, former housemates and university colleagues, as well as musical contemporaries including Pete Townshend and Alice Cooper, Comfortably Numb follows Pink Floyd all the way from the early psychedelic nights at UFO in the mid-sixties to the stadium-rock and concept-album zenith of the seventies, and finally the acrimonious schism that sundered the band in the '80s and '90s.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #546585 in Books
  • Published on: 2007-12-31
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Hardcover
  • 418 pages

Editorial Reviews

Review
"The story of Pink Floyd is the story of the themes that raised and obsessed and tore at the band for almost four decades. That is, it's a story of madness, alienation, absence, hubris and a self-willed grace. There's really nothing else quite like it in popular music history."

Review

New York Press, 1/20/09
“You really do feel as if you’re being sucked into the drama. That’s a testament to Blake doing his job…It’s a journalistic take on the band, and its reads like a history book. It’s respectful and revealing, but not in a scandalous way.”


Blurt Magazine, 2/09
“Mark Blake has clearly done his share of research…Blake is at his best [when] providing those details that leap off the page while placing Pink Floyd squarely in the context of the times.”

About the Author

Mark Blake is a former Assistant Editor of Q magazine, and long-time contributor to its sister title Mojo. He is also the editor of two definitive music books, Dylan: Visions Portraits & Back Pages, and Punk: The Whole Story.

Customer Reviews

The Best Pink Floyd Book Available5
If you are into Pink Floyd you must read this book. This is by far the best book on this band. As most of you know, Pink Floyd is very guarded when it comes to their past and their personal lives. Floyd drummer Nick Mason's book Inside Out was supposed to be the definitive book about the band. It was learned that he allowed all of the Floyd members to edit out all of the dirt and honest truth he had written about each member. This left his book very lackluster.

I can't imagine how long it took Mark Blake to research this book let alone write it. He took quotes and articles from every major book ever written about the band. He got people from each members past to talk on record. A lot of them for the first time in print. Their are stories here that have never seen the light of day. The best part about this book is that he got some of Pink Floyd's inner circle to talk without disclosing their identities.

For the first time, problems in each members personal lives are disclosed in great detail. It's about time all Pink Floyd fans got the real stories behind the history of this amazing band.

This is a must have for any rock n roll buff.

Best Floyd book ever5
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 Michael Parkinsons chat 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.

Very thorough and well crafted!5
This book is extremely well written and researched. The quality of writing is impeccable. Covering the history of Pink Floyd until the present, it is full of fascinating material and clarifies or fills in stories about the band which have circulated throughout the years. Any PF fan who enjoys learning all about the crafting of the music, the individual personalities and points of view, and how the miracle of Pink Floyd came about will surely be delighted.

I agree with everything that the previous reviewer had to say except for the comment about the Nick Mason book. I am not convinced that Nick's original intent was to go into depth about the band's various personality conflicts over the years. His book with its extensive collection of photographs was written from a loving perspective and with great humor. I value that book very much just as it is. It is a beautiful book with stunning artwork worthy of a true Pink Floyd product. I highly recommend both these wonderful books which compliment each other very nicely.