Why do they call it "Pink Floyd"when Gilmore is solo, but not when Roger Waters is solo?

Question

My understanding is that Roger Waters sold David Gilmore the rights to the name "Pink Floyd". That's understandable, but don't you think that its as much Pink Floyd when Roger Waters is solo?
Let's put it another way, which artists more truly represents the
collective name "Pink Floyd"? I say Roger Waters, because
DSOTM was his baby, and TW was his quasi-biograpy, and his
scitzso spirit animates the whol ouvre of floyd work.........
So, isn't waters solo as much. if not more, PF than when Gilmore
plays solo(pulse), regardless of the purchase of naming rights?

BTW, we are going to see Roger Waters
in Chicago friday, and I'm been saying we're "going to see Pink Floyd". I get
corrected every time, and hence my arguments under this question. Again, if
its Floyd with Gilmore solo, it's as much Folyd, if not more so, with Roger Waters
solo.

Steve C makes good points, however
its not the talent. but the time spent per the two gentleman.....Pink Floyd was ONLY
relevant when Roger Waters was involved.
After THE FINAL CUT, Roger Waters pretty
much removed himself from the band, and went into his solo, radio C.H.A.O.S. period.
My understanding is that Waters didn't want
to become simply a retread, glorified oldies
band, while Gilmore was more than happy to play the same old for years, hence him propping up the band single-handedly.
It was just cause he was the only one interested. The FLOYD album Gimore
was responsible single-handedly for,
"Momentary lapse of reason in '87" was godawful, and only "learing to fly",. which was simply a retread capturing of the Wallish-Dark side sound, was even listenable, with the same verbatim WALL
guitarwork.
Need I finally mention that neither Waters
OR Gilmore would account for any great
Albums if it wasn't for ALAN PARSONS
and his incredible preduction job on
DSOTM.

I'm still trying not to laugh at the "only known for writing Weird songs" comment.
I don't think many classic rock fans, except perhaps yourself, would consider anything
from Dark side of the moon, animals, wish you were here, or The Wall "weird songs".
If they are, I guess Sargeant Pepper, most of the Doors albums, and even Brian Wilson's Pet Sounds, including Good Vibrations, was "weird"....what isn't weird,
Terry Jacks "Seasons in the Sun", or
The Partridge Family?

Here's a couple songs Steve C. may feel
confortable hearing, as they are not "weird"

http://www.superseventies.com/1973_1singles.html

http://www.superseventies.com/1973_8singles.html

http://www.superseventies.com/sw_halfbreed.html

http://www.superseventies.com/sw_candyman.html

excuse me, while I go and enjoy my "Sounds of the Seventies" K-tel
album.....

I stand corrected..I didn't know that wright and mason were touring with gilmore....at least I admit it! LOL........however, I will say one thing....Who honestly thinks wright or mason hold any water(no pun intented, roger!) to the other two.....nick mason
has as much impact as a drummer for STEELY DAN, in that FLOYD were an
album based group, where songwriting and the studio was king...anyone could have stepped in to play drums in floyd, in direct opposition to John Bonham and Charlie Watts, who played the more traditional, concert friendly, boogie-based
jams.There is some case for Mason, in that Keyboards were somewhat integral
to PF, but not nearly as much as in the case of Geddy Lee's RUSH, or Ray Manzarek's keyboards(think Light my Fire).
I can still see PF without Mason........but not
Waters or Gilmore....hence my point that
Waters, solo, is just as much Pink Floyd as Gilmore and "friends"

.RIP SYd Barrett

more info on THE FINAL CUT...
everyone knew at the time THE FINAL CUT
came out that it consisted 100% of outtakes from THE WALL, so it IS the WALL...hence the name....."the last cut of
Wall sessions"....so it is not treacle, just
bad stuff that was cut out of the wall final relsease for a good reason......see just about all the Beatles "anthologies" for more
evidence of why songs are best left on the "cutting" rom floor, even in the case of THE BEATLES or FLOYD........

A bit about bands having life of their own....
if the instruments could play themselves,
I could sort of see that point, but look at the
below links to see some really bad "bands
who took a life of their own" to see what I mean.....

First, check this out
http://www.creedence-revisited.com/

The real force and band is named "John
Fogerty", the fake band has the same
acronym.....Fogery IS CCR....the others
CALL themselves the same..


another example...
http://www.lynyrdskynyrd.com/

was supposed to be a "one time tribute" in
1987. Now the band has been touring as LS ever since. And I wouldn't pay a plugged
nickel to see them. technical, they have some of the lesser members and relatives,
but thats like paying to see the Beatles,
cause Zac Starskey and Julien Lennon decided to tour as such.
Some things are better left alone, including Band names.
And Roger Waters solo is Pink Floyd,
no matter what anyone says!

Answer 1

It's just a question of semantics but I agree for me Roger Waters is as much "Pink Floyd" as Gilmour.

Answer 2

Because when "Pink Floyd" perform, it's David Gilmour, Rick Wright and Nick Mason....that's 3/4ths of the band, which is a lot more legitimate than saying that Roger Waters on his own is Pink Floyd...it's just like when David Gilmour goes out on tour on his own, he doesn't call that Pink Floyd.

Also to your point about relevancy...the Final Cut is considered by many to be a self-indulgent pseudo-solo record by Roger Waters and the Waters-less Floyd tours in 89 and 94 were amongst the highest-grossing tours of those years, so I don't really think you can argue that Roger Waters was the Heart and Soul of Pink Floyd. I think the band is an entity unto itself and Neither Roger nor Dave have found the same kind of solo success that they had inside the group.

Answer 3

WIthout David Gilmour, the whole house of cards would have fallen down. It was Syd's band really at the start, but he fried his brain on acid. Gilmour came in as steadying influence and just slid into the role over a period of time.

Roger may have been the primary songwriter, but without David Gilmour's musical input and abilities, he would have been a nobody who writes weird songs, can barely play bass, and can't sing very well.

They're better together, but Pink Floyd turned into David's Band.

Answer 4

Do please consider Rick and Nick parts of the band, too.

When Roger played solo, he usually did so with another band. He played ONCE with Nick also.

When David played solo, he did so with Nick and Rick. Roger was being a prick at that time and decided to break the band up, but all he did was leave them. However, they really needed Roger (and I mean REALLY needed him) when the fans demanded fresh material. David plays mean guitar, but he can't write. (I do admit that High Hopes is one of my favorite songs though.)

It's a bit like rap being called music, or abstract being called art. No one would consider it so, but we label it so. Circular logic prevails!

Also... Steve, is that "House of cards" comment referring to Gilmour's previous band Jokers Wild?

Answer 5

Legally speaking:


Waters has the rights to most of the songs.

Gilmoure retains rights to the name -- Pink Floyd.