Quote:It's about time one of them wrote a book about their experiences...I would love to see one from Roger.

Quote:Pink Floyd Lite, March 31, 2005
Reviewer: Doctor Quartz (Huntington Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
Nick Mason gives an interesting history of Pink Floyd, that's a little light on anecdotes. I enjoyed this book immensly but know I would have enjoyed the manuscript even more, if I'd seen it before David G. and Roger W. had a go at it with their correcting pens (Nick--Ya shouldn'ta let em monkey with it!). What's missing from this book? The juicy stuff. Nick is the most expendable member of the band (drummers usually are), so he must be careful about what he says and not step on anyone's toes. Either that or he has intentionally (or otherwise) forgotten the past. Let me give you a few examples. He toured with Jimi Hendrix but though there are photos, there aren't any Jimi Hendrix stories in the book. His description of Pink Floyd brief meeting with the Beatles is so devoid of concrete detail, that it's pathetic. He also doesn't flesh out Syd Barrett or David G.'s personalities and barely manages a fresh glimpse of Roger W. This is "Pink Floyd Lite." The book reminded me a little bit of George Harrison's autobiog. "I Me Mine" in which John Lennon doesn't appear. You don't get much more than a few superficial paragraphs on Syd Barrett. There are tantalizing sentences and suggestions everywhere in the text that made me curse under my breath. Like why did the Floyd members feel enormous guilt about what happened to Syd? Mason tells us that partly his descent into insanity was their fault. OK, so what does that mean? What did they do to Syd? (There are hints to the answer to that question in some Syd Bios that are out--and in that dreadful bubble-gum "Saucerful of Secrets" faux-Pink Floyd bio.) Why did Roger Waters's songwriting become so dark after Wish You Were Here? Why did Roger get so mean--given that some of his early songs have incredible light, whimsy, optimism and humor? What's the extended story behind Waters own mental breakdown--the one he mentions in the Syd DVD? And where are the sex and drugs, the groupies and excess? Ladies and Gentlemen, this bio ain't Rock n' Roll!!! I love Nick Mason--he and his fellow band members have given me the soundtrack for some of the happiest and sometimes strangest (though wonderful) days of my life. I understand Mason's polite reticense (thankyou for the fantastic photos and the bubbly-Brit text) but now will someone please finally write an insightful, in-depth, appreciative, detailed, comprehensive, warts-and-all, book--full of humanity, the money and the folly (with the story of each of their songs)--about this unbelievably wonderful band! I think it could be one of the most interesting and instructive tales of its time.