David Gilmour Declares: “I Was and Felt Like Pink Floyd” — A Candid Reflection on Roger Waters and the Band’s Enduring Legacy…….
In a striking revelation that has reignited the age-old debate among Pink Floyd fans, David Gilmour has opened up about his long-standing rift with former bandmate Roger Waters, offering an assertive declaration of his own identity within the legendary band. Gilmour’s words are both a nostalgic recounting and a defiant assertion: “I always told Roger Waters, when he thought he was Pink Floyd and believed he could replace the drummer, the guitarist, and the keyboardist with other skilled professionals, that I was and strongly felt like Pink Floyd.”
The quote pulls back the curtain on one of rock music’s most turbulent creative relationships. Though both Gilmour and Waters were instrumental in crafting Pink Floyd’s iconic sound, their personalities and visions often clashed. Waters, the conceptual mastermind behind albums like The Wall and Animals, came to believe he was the core creative force of the band. Gilmour, however, offered the heart and musicality — his soaring guitar solos and emotive voice defining Pink Floyd’s later sound, especially after Waters’ departure in 1985.
Gilmour recounted a significant moment before Waters officially left the band: “One time, long before he left, I told him: ‘If you leave, my friend, we will carry on — you can bet on it, we will carry on.’ And he replied, laughing: ‘You’ll never make it.’” That dismissive retort didn’t age well. Against all odds and Waters’ predictions, Gilmour and the remaining members did carry on. Albums like A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and The Division Bell (1994) were commercial successes, drawing large crowds and cementing Gilmour’s position not just as the band’s new leader, but as an artist in his own right.
Fans have long been divided between the two titanic figures. Waters brought the political edge and biting social commentary, while Gilmour brought an atmospheric depth and emotional nuance that made songs like “Comfortably Numb” timeless. While Waters may have penned the lyrics, Gilmour’s voice and guitar gave them life — and it’s this balance that made Pink Floyd so unique.
The recent quote has stirred strong reactions online, with many praising Gilmour for his honesty and for finally articulating what many fans have long believed: that Pink Floyd was never about one man. It was about the alchemy between musicians — each irreplaceable in their own way. “I was and felt like Pink Floyd” is more than just a statement of pride; it’s a recognition of legacy.
As Pink Floyd’s history continues to be dissected and celebrated, Gilmour’s words serve as a poignant reminder of the band’s true nature: a collective of extraordinary talents, each contributing a vital piece to the whole. And while the debates may rage on, one thing is certain — the music speaks louder than the conflict. And thanks to Gilmour’s leadership, it did carry on.
In the end, perhaps the spirit of Pink Floyd was never about who was the band, but about who kept it alive. And in that respect, David Gilmour kept his promise — against the odds, and against the laughter.