‘Music to Your Ears’ Preview: DSOTM
Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon was and remains a landmark album. Released 50 years ago this month, at the height of the rock era, DSOTM is both an exemplar of studio technique and a cohesive musical statement that resonates with listeners to this very day. One of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time, The Dark Side of the Moon is also one of the most enduring: the record famously clung onto the Billboard album charts for an astounding 969 weeks (more than 18 years). Certified 14x Platinum (15 million units sold) in the U.S. alone, DSOTM was a worldwide smash. In 2012, Pink Floyd’s eighth album was recognized by the Library of Congress as a work of historical, cultural and aesthetic significance.
But the road to making DSOTM was an unlikely one. Just five years earlier, Pink Floyd had lost its leader. Singer and guitarist Syd Barrett founded the group, and for a time was its leading light: he wrote nearly all of the band’s music, sang the songs, and was a charismatic front man. But when he was unable to continue – kicked out of the band he started due to a combination of mental illness and copious intake of psychedelic drugs – the band’s very future was in doubt. The story of how Pink Floyd embarked upon a five-year journey from a group without mooring to the band that made The Dark Side of the Moon is the subject of my 2018 book, Reinventing Pink Floyd.
In celebration of the lag-century anniversary of The Dark Side of the Moon, I proudly present the latest edition of Music to Your Ears. This monthly discussion series sponsored by AshevilleFM and hosted by Asheville Guitar Bar digs into the backstories of important artists and albums.
For this special Dark Side discussion, I will share rare, unreleased recordings that illustrate the creative path charted by Pink Floyd as they developed the monumental work. You’ve heard The Dark Side of the Moon before, but never like this.
Join my as I lead a discussion of The Dark Side of the Moon. We’ll chat about the background, creation and legacy of the album, and listen to some key tracks that demonstrate the innovation and creativity of Pink Floyd. And as always, we’ll facilitate audience discussion.
Asheville Guitar Bar, This Coming Wednesday April 5 @ 7pm.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.