Sixties rock legend hints at band’s reunion with former member – but claims decades-long feud is still raging

THEY were one of the defining bands of the 60s and 70s with a string of classic albums that are still much loved to this day.

But while Pink Floyd were at the summit of progressive rock’s formative years, differing creative visions ultimately drove apart its two most recognisable faces: David Gilmour and Roger Waters.

Pink Floyd are one of the most-loved rock bands of all time

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Pink Floyd are one of the most-loved rock bands of all timeCredit: Getty
Drummer Nick Mason has dashed hopes of a reunion

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Drummer Nick Mason has dashed hopes of a reunionCredit: Getty

The group fractured in 1985 as bassist and singer Waters exited and took legal action to stop the remaining Floyd members from operating under its famous banner – something he later accepted was wrong.

Memorably, the band’s last proper get together was for Live 8 in London in 2005, three years before keyboard player Richard Wright died aged 65.

That high-profile show was only made possible by persistent organiser Bob Geldof personally paying a visit to Gilmour’s farm and acting somewhat as an intermediary between the guitarist and Waters.

Though Gilmour politely turned him down at first, he relented when Waters called him personally to put aside their differences for the charitable occasion.

There have been a smattering of partial reunions since but none has led to new music from the classic line-up.

Drummer Nick Mason has been on the road in recent years performing early Floyd material from the period before Gilmour joined the band in 1968 as original frontman Syd Barrett’s replacement.

His Saucerful of Secrets project, featuring Spandau Ballet guitarist Gary Kemp, has been a hit with fans and is somewhat keeping the Floyd flag flying.

When asked by Reuters if he would welcome another roll of the dice with the surviving Floyd members, he said: “Oh yeah, I would. I don’t think you’ll find very much support from Roger and David for working together.

 “I really, really don’t think there’s an appetite (for a reunion).”

His answer will come as no surprise to longtime fans of the band who have resigned themselves to Pink Floyd being parked firmly in the past.

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Instead, they can hear some of the band’s songs in various guises, whether as part of Waters’ or Gilmour’s solo shows.

The former released a gloomy yet critically-acclaimed reworking of Dark Side and has toured his own production of the band’s classic double album The Wall.

Gilmour recently announced his first UK show in eight years as well as a run of dates at Rome’s historic Circus Maximus where he will combine Floyd hits with tracks from new album Luck and Strange.

During their Live 8 performance the band delivered four songs – Breathe, Wish You Were Here, Money and Comfortably Numb – and ended the short set standing side by side before bowing to the Hyde Park crowd.

Pink Floyd last performed in 2005 for Live 8

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Pink Floyd last performed in 2005 for Live 8Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Dark Side of the Moon is the band's most famous record

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Dark Side of the Moon is the band’s most famous recordCredit: Alamy

The build up to the gig was an indication that, while a one off show would be manageable, anything longer would be fraught with issues.

Waters was reportedly late for rehearsals and keen to change up the group’s arrangements.

While Gilmour was committed to delivering the classics as close to the originals as possible in line with a typical greatest hits set.

The imbalance was obvious in both men’s analysis of the reunion.

Waters said: “It was such fun. We went in and did some rehearsals, and the moment we plugged in for the first rehearsal, it was like putting on an old shoe.”

While Gilmour tellingly stated: “The rehearsals convinced me it wasn’t something I wanted to be doing a lot of.”

Maybe it’s better to hold onto the memory of that parting bow from four rock titans who put their egos to one side and united for a life-changing cause.

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