Shining Vinyl Gem On The A To Z
The Vinyl Cut is always a special occasion during the twisting and winding musical journey of the Pierre Robert broadcast experience. It always provides a unique opportunity to celebrate many different musical milestones. Everything from birthdays and passings to album releases and concert flashbacks. There is always something that can and should be celebrated. During the Back to School A to Z, syncing up the Vinyl Cut to the alphabetic provides us with some very interesting choices.
On Thursday, September 12th as Professor Pierre started his daily education in the form of Pierre’s Planner, he made note of an iconic album that was released that day. In 1975 you could’ve walked into your local record shop and stumble upon an LP with two men shaking hands. You’d immediately notice that one of these men was on fire! This visual shock to the senses may have piqued your intrigue and when you brought it to your turntable you would be in for a treat. This of course would be the 9th studio album from British rock mastermind’s Pink Floyd.
‘Wish You Were Here’
The follow-up to their legendary The Dark Side of the Moon was no slouch in the band’s discography. Spending 58 weeks on the charts, it is a beloved portion of Pink Floyd’s musical history, even being credited as the favorite album of David Gilmour. It includes some smash hits like the title track (who David Gilmour recently played with his daughter at a UK Pub which you can see a snippet of here) and “Have A Cigar”. But a majority of the record is dedicated to a 9 part epic saga. And as the stars aligned those numbers came up during the Vinyl Cut
Shine On…On Vinyl
As Professor Pierre was in the midst of the “S” songs in the A to Z, he was lined up to take a very long and spacey left turn. The nine segment composition of “Shine On Your Crazy Diamond” by Pink Floyd takes up a combined 25 minutes and 57 seconds. The first 5 parts start the A side of the record while the final 4 are how the B side conclude. The purpose of this musical masterpiece is what makes it so meaningful as it pays tribute to founding Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett.
In 1968 Syd was quietly removed from the Pink Floyd line up due to his substance abuse issues which led to deteriorating mental health problems. The other members of the band had a great sense of guilt over his dismissal and were really concerned about his mental state. “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” was their way off paying tribute to the creative brilliance that Syd was.
As the story goes, when Pink Floyd was recording “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” at Abbey Road Studios, a gentleman wandered into the studio. He was heavyset with a shaved head and shaved eyebrows and no one really recognized him at first. But after awhile it clicked that this gentleman was actually Syd Barrett himself which bewildered and shocked Roger Waters.
And so, to honor and celebrate the anniversary of Wish You Were Here being released and to celebrate the letter “S” in the Back to School A to Z, Professor Pierre played all 26ish minutes of “Shine On You Crazy Diamonds” on vinyl. As only we can on WMMR…THE Radio Station! Please feel free to keep sharing how you’re enjoying the Back To School A to Z. Be sure to tag WMMR on X, Instagram, and Facebook and use the hashtag #WMMRAtoZ on the fancy thinkin’ box or fancy thinkin’ phone.
