Pink Floyd is arguably the most commercially successful and influential rock music groups of all time. They have sold over 230 million albums worldwide, including 74.5 million in the United States, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

Founded in 1965, Pink Floyd originally consisted of students Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Richard Wright, and Syd Barrett. The band began by playing in London’s underground music scene in the late 1960s. Under Barrett they released two singles, “Arnold Layne” and “See Emily Play”, and a successful début album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour joined the group in 1967, just prior to Syd Barrett’s leaving the group because of his deteriorating mental health. Following the loss of Syd, Roger Waters became the band’s writer and conceptual leader, and David Gilmour on lead guitar, creating most of the band’s music composition, and sharing vocals. With this line-up Pink Floyd achieved worldwide success with their concept albums The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall. Richard Wright left Pink Floyd in 1979, and through a gruelling legal battle disputing the rights to the Pink Floyd name, Roger Waters left in 1985. Gilmour and Mason and later Wright continued to record and tour as Pink Floyd. After the split they released two more, in my opinion, fantastic albums; A Momentary Lapse of Reason and The Division Bell. This year they remastered and re-released their entire catalog, as well as some incredible boxed sets of their top albums with previously unreleased material and some extra goodies.

View from my seat at the show

Pink Floyd has always been one of my all time favorite bands, unfortunately they quit touring as a band in the 90s and their last performance together was in July of 2005 for the live 8 charity event. I thought my opportunity to see a Pink Floyd show had passed. That was until last year when Roger Waters revived and revitalized the live tour of “The Wall”. This is the pinnacle of a live musical events to see, performed by one of the unique and creative geniuses in music history. I was able to see this event the first time it came through Chicago in 2010. I fulfilled a lifelong dream to see a Pink Floyd show, it was worth every penny I paid for my ticket.

This year Roger waters is continuing his tour throughout the world. One stop that everyone is buzzing about is happening at Wrigley field in Chicago. The open air field with such a rich history in the heart of a music steeped city, one which has brought so many great musicians, is the perfect venue for this spectacle. With enormous marionettes, gripping visuals and special effects, dynamic music, and spot on performances this show in this venue is the must see for 2012. Check out Roger Waters website, he has tour dates and details, memorabilia, and more. Happening at 8:00 on june 8th, I would get your tickets now because this show is going to be swell.