Fingal's Cave - A Podcast for all dedicated Pink Floyd Fans

In this episode of the Fingal’s Cave Podcast, hosts Ian Priston and Phil Salathé sit down with author and archivist Ed Paule to explore his landmark book Pink Floyd 1967 - a meticulous, month-by-month chronicle of the band’s breakthrough year, shortly before its publication. From their early days in London’s underground clubs to their leap into the international spotlight, Ed’s research uncovers how every gig, press clipping, and recording session shaped the rise of one of the most influential bands in history.The conversation takes listeners into the archives, revealing long-forgotten gig listings, rare photographs, and quirky press interviews that paint a vivid picture of the band. Ed shares stories of meticulous detective work, surprising discoveries, and collaborations with other Floyd historians that helped him crack mysteries fans have puzzled over for decades - like the possible origins of Vegetable Man,” the phantom track Stoolfix, and the exact dates of elusive gigs.Whether you are a lifelong collector or just beginning to explore the early days of Pink Floyd, this episode offers a fascinating deep dive into the year that defined their sound, their image, and their enduring legacy.Pink Floyd 1967 is available now at https://www.floydstuff.com/the-bee-smart-book-co, limited to 450 copies.Subscribe to Fingal’s Cave for more journeys to the edges of Pink Floyd music history.This episode is dedicated to Johan Lif.

In this episode of Fingal’s Cave, host Ian Priston talks with Steve Anderson - creator of the iconic Floydboots website, visited over a million times by collectors, and author of the 2024 book Wizardo: Stories of a Bootlegger.Steve reflects on five decades of Pink Floyd: from being a 12-year-old at Wembley Empire Pool in November 1974 and the heartbreak of his prized Stoke bootleg being broken - to the challenge of hunting down and thrill of listening to rare titles. He recalls leaving home at 3am from Knebworth 1975, the ferocity and spectacle of the Animals tour, the monumental experience of The Wall shows, and meeting the band at the premiere of The Wall film.Steve also shares two extraordinary encounters with Syd Barrett in the 1990s - fleeting but unforgettable glimpses of the band’s elusive founding genius. Along the way, he discusses Barrett superfan the late Bernard White, the legacy of John Wizardo, his adventures as a record dealer, and the time he was offered Roger Waters’ Live at Pompeii bass. It is a fascinating story of how a lifetime can be shaped by music, soundtracked by Pink Floyd. This episode is in stereo - because, well, it just had to be. And if you think you hear a fly buzzing, dogs wanting attention, or even church bells chiming in the distance… you are not imagining things. Consider them accidental Pink Floyd–style sound effects.Subscribe to Fingal’s Cave for more journeys to the edges of Pink Floyd music history.

In this episode of the Fingal's Cave Podcast, host Nils Zehnpfennig and guests Mike McCartney, Joe Krist and special guest Bjorn Riis from Gilmourish.com celebrate 40 years of David Gilmour's live performances.We begin by exploring Bjorn's musical background and the influence of Gilmour, Pink Floyd, and other bands on his sound. We then trace the evolution of Gilmour’s tone, gear and style throughout his solo career and his time with Pink Floyd from 1968 to 1994.We start the discussion with Gilmour’s 1978 debut and his decision not to tour. We then take an in-depth look at the About Face tour in 1984 and reflect on the chaotic Ecomundo show in Colombia in 1992.We also revisit the acclaimed On an Island tour of 2006, discussing the stellar band, the wonderful set list, and the unforgettable performance of 'Echoes'.A decade later, Gilmour returned with Rattle That Lock. We explore the differences between that tour and the one in 2006, including the surprise mid-tour line-up changes, and we discuss the somewhat underwhelming Pompeii shows in 2016.Finally, we talk about his latest album, Luck and Strange, and the short tour that followed. We also reflect on his four decades of live music and celebrate a legendary career that continues to inspire many of us.

In this fascinating episode of Fingal’s Cave, host Ian Priston sits down with a legendary figure from Pink Floyd's early days - an underground taper known as The Masked Marauder. One of just a few people who recorded the band live in the 1960s, he shares candid memories of the counterculture, classic gigs at UFO and Middle Earth, and capturing historic BBC radio sessions from his living room.Hear personal reflections on:• Syd Barrett and David Gilmour-era Pink Floyd shows• Legendary venues like the Roundhouse and Eel Pie Island• Taping the The Man and The Journey premiere and other bands such as Soft Machine• His bohemian lifestyle, radical activism, and outsider spirit.Now 82 and sharp as ever, the Masked Marauder brings the psychedelic era to life with wit, warmth, and authenticity. A must-listen for Pink Floyd fans, music historians, and anyone interested in the London 1960s underground scene.Recorded at his home on a busy London street, the conversation is rich with atmosphere, quiet pauses, and thoughtful insights. As always, Fingal’s Cave favours authentic conversations over formal interviews.Please find here a subtitled version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjUAxlTTvAgSubscribe to Fingal’s Cave for more journeys to the edges of Pink Floyd music history.

Lee Harris, the founder and guitarist of the successful band ‘Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secret’ was our first interview guest almost two years ago. We had an exciting conversation back then and we knew we wanted to invite him back to our podcast.Now, 25 episodes later, the time has finally come, Lee Harris is back!Together with Phil Salathé, in this episode we talk about Lee's youth, his own career as co-manager and guitarist of the band ‘Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ and the musical development of Pink Floyd between the years 1967 and 1972, an era they cover with the 'Saucers'.Lee also gives us a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the band, describing the conditions under which the songs were chosen and why Echoes came so late in the setlist.Look forward to a lively conversation between two full-blooded musicians and some great and nerdy insights...(On a personal note, to our knowledge Pink Floyd performed 'The Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast' four times during the UK leg of their British Winter Tour in 1970.)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the start of the North America tour in 1975, we present a new and exciting episode of the Fingal's Cave podcast.In more than 2 hours we discuss Pink Floyd's so-called transition period between 1974 and 1975, often derided as the band's creative low point.But even though there were many late decisions, sound problems, mishaps and - to be frank - a certain amount of laziness, these three tours, which started in Colmar (France) on 22nd June and ended in Knebworth (UK) on 5th July, offered plenty to talk about. From one of the finest Dark Side of the Moon shows in Bristol to a total disaster in Knebworth, Pink Floyd went through a rollercoaster ride in these 380 days, defining their own future by road-testing new material and setting the stage (no pun intended) with stunning new visuals, including the birth of Mr. Screen.After several weeks of preparation, we are proud to bring you an in-depth chat that even the dedicated Pink Floyd fan will learn something from, we promise!Our yt-channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Fingals_Cave_PodcastMost important shows:1974-06-22 Colmar (tour start)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AFkERLrJQU1974-11-19 Stoke on Trent (British Winter Tour 74 bootleg)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F2-bSdNHTY1974-12-14 Bristol (Best Dark Side Set)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlFm7s-Gypc1975-04-26 Los Angeles (Millard recording)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4clpGEnZz0o1975-06-09 Landover (Best ‘75 Dark Side Set)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8iLvc72N1w1975-06-17 Uniondale (Great show)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPzaR1PcUDI1975-06-28 Hamilton (Superb recording)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAR5x2LGHO0Videos:1975-04-27 Los Angeles (8mm)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NYLy9NqlAY1975-06-09 Landover (8mm)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH1mGiSmbRk1975-06-26 Montreal (8mm)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb7lxh_9eOk1975-06-28 Hamilton (8mm)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSXZMFq_Msk1975-07-05 Knebworth (video)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oi5BCXeV4A

In today's episode we talk about a very special time for Pink Floyd between 1978 -1981 and the staging of THE WALL live shows. This would be the last time until 2005 where the main four members played live as a band, so it is an important, if melancholic period.Together with Kyle and Phil (Salathé) we discuss the circumstances surrounding the album THE WALL, the so-called ‘Performance Manuscript’ and of course many shows from the tour itself. In particular we discuss the tour rehearsals, the start of the tour in Los Angeles on February 7th 1980, the video recordings of the concert in New York at the Nassau Coliseum, in London at Earl’s Court, and of course about the great shows in Dortmund, a typical German city in the middle of the Ruhr area. We also take a brief look at the last run of wall shows in June of 1981.In a little more than 2 hours you will learn many insights, mishaps, surprises and hopefully yet unknown things about the Wall live!Credit goes to RarePinkFloyd for providing research materials for this episode. You can view his wonderful website here; http://www.rarepinkfloyd.fr/Credit also goes to Vernon Fitch and Richard Mahon’s incredible book, “Comfortably Numb: A History of The Wall 1978-1981”, which you can purchase here;http://www.pfapublishing.com/

In this special holiday episode, Nils and Ian sit down with Bob and Oakley—two young superfans who weren’t even born when Pink Floyd’s last tour ended. Together, they unwrap stories of rare recordings, audio engineering wizardry, and the friendships that make the fan community feel like family.Bob and Oakley dive into their passion for finding rare recordings, chasing down rumours, and earning respect from experienced fans in the broader Pink Floyd community.Their love for live recordings has led them to develop impressive audio engineering and mastering skills. Bob and Oakley share their experience working on projects like matrix mixes and quadrophonic remasters, where they combine multiple audience recordings—each captured from different spots in a venue. They break down the techniques, challenges, and how these projects often deliver audio quality far beyond expectations.Our first 2023 episode declared: “Once you’re hooked, there’s no way back.” Bob and Oakley embody this sentiment, proving how Pink Floyd’s music continues to inspire a new generation of researchers, audio specialists, and devoted fans.From all of us at Fingal’s Cave, merry Christmas and happy holidays!

If you were to make a list of the musicians who made some of the most beloved recordings in rock music, the name Jerry Shirley will come up over and over again. In addition to his role as drummer in Humble Pie, he has worked closely with luminaries like B.B. King, John Entwistle, and of course, Syd Barrett. In this episode, he sits down with Phil Salathé to discuss his long and storied career, and to share stories from his work with Syd in the studio and live. We also investigate a few mysteries in the process, including an enigmatic Syd outtake that's stymied researchers for decades. You won't want to miss it!

Over the course of eight days in January 1972, Pink Floyd began to showcase The Dark Side Of The Moon, their brand-new piece of music, which would ultimately define their legacy.The band kicked off their tour with concerts in Brighton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, and Southampton, before heading north to Newcastle and Leeds. For live recording collectors, these early dates have long been a source of confusion, with persistent issues regarding accurate dates and uncertainties surrounding the content and quality of the audience recordings.Consequently, the pivotal January shows are often overshadowed by the February 1972 Rainbow Theatre concerts.In this episode, Phil Salathé and Ian Priston delve deep into the January shows, offering insightful musical analysis and thorough research to shed light on this pivotal moment in Pink Floyd’s history.

Hello and welcome back!In this episode we have another exciting guest. While the name of our interviewee may not be familiar to you, his works are for sure.Alex started creating artwork for various Pink Floyd bootlegs in the late 90's and supported the Harvested label on a few releases.He then started a YouTube channel and released animated versions of the official Pink Floyd artwork. This later led to a collaboration with Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets and eventually a close association with the family of Roger “Syd” Barrett, where Alex is the official animator for all content on the official website.The conversation was exciting, funny and insightful, but hear for yourself!Links:https://www.sydbarrett.com/https://www.youtube.com/c/artistontheborderhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZq92A0il6Q (Animated Relics Artwork)

On this, our 20th episode, we speak with a person who has chosen to go by the pseudonym of "Mick the Hat", and when you listen you'll certainly understand why. One of our favorite things to do on this podcast is to interview people who have knowledge that no one else in the world possesses, and who can shed light on some of the most legendary events in the history of Pink Floyd. Mick the Hat is one of those people. For anyone interested in the saga of Pink Floyd live recordings and vinyl bootlegs, you won't want to miss a minute of Mick the Hat's recollections, as elicited by podcast producer and interviewer Ian Priston. His tales of BPI busts gone wrong, of taping some of the most beloved shows in Pink Floyd history, and of dealing with some of the quirkiest characters out there, are one of a kind revelations that you won't hear anywhere else.

“In the end it's all about Friendship!”In this episode, we look back on 50 years of an intimate experience with Pink Floyd and its solo members. Ron Fleischer may not be known to everyone by name, but all dedicated Pink Floyd fans have at least one of his outputs, released under the name HARVESTED, at home. But in this episode we don't want to talk about the HARVESTED label, but rather take you on a journey through almost 50 Pink Floyd related concerts that began in Miami in 1977 and is still ongoing...Ron tells us about these shows with many exciting anecdotes and above all gives us a story about friendship and passion that connects us Pink Floyd fans.Ron Fleischer is not only an important part of the Pink Floyd community but has made many things accessible to the fans thanks to his projects, so this episode in which he tells his story, is a very special one for us.

In this episode, we wanted to open up discussion on the solo career of Roger Waters, starting in 1984. Waters’ albums and stage productions depict some of the most interesting, powerful, and sometimes confusing concepts in music. So, to help us out, we invited two Roger Waters enthusiasts to delve deeper into this era of his career. We discuss our thoughts on each of Roger’s solo works from this period, as well as 1983’s The Final Cut. We also give insights into his groundbreaking stage productions from this era, talk about Magic BILLY and Radio KAOS, the reality of finding sound in a sea of faces and dust at The Wall in Berlin 1990, as well as answer the age old question: “What are The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking?”

In this episode we want to tackle a topic that is often fraud with emotions and talk about the Pink Floyd period after Roger Waters left the band often called “The Later Years”.To help me out we invited two Pink Floyd specialists to delve deeper into this era. We discuss exciting topics like the pros and cons of the album “A Momentary Lapse of Reason”, the world tour 1987-1989 and why Echoes was only played in the first 12 shows. We talk about the musicians on stage, irritating lyrics and why we think that the 1994 world tour is unfortunately just a boring version of the 1987 tour. Finally, we discuss the remix version of AMLOR and what we like about this release.

Drawing on his exceptional knowledge of both artists, Rob Chapman serves up a palatable Syd Barrett and Nick Drake broth, replete with historical and cultural references.For followers of the Fingal’s Cave Podcast, Rob is perhaps best known for his two groundbreaking books about Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett, An Irregular Head, published in 2010 and The Lyrics of Syd Barrett, published in 2021.Rob’s latest novel is Unsung: Unsaid, an exploration of the creativity of Syd Barrett and Nick Drake through the medium of speculative fiction.Encouraged by hosts Ian Priston and Phil Salathé, Rob explains his inspirations, why he chose to trap Syd and Nick at the same Kensington Market café table, and his approach to characterisation and structure.Rob reflects on his early memories of Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett in the 1960s and his two solo albums. Guiding us on various tangents, Rob also explains why his love of Pink Floyd extends to 1971 and describes working with David Gilmour.If you haven’t encountered Spike Hawkins’ Instant Poetry Broth, you will undoubtedly wish to search for details after hearing Rob’s explanation.

Pink Floyd's 1967 concerts were raw, fast and unpredictable musical experiences. Many concert setlists are incomplete or missing. The best-surviving evidence exists in snippets of film, two BBC radio sessions, photographs and three audience recordings captured between September and November 1967.  In this episode, we reflect on this essential cluster of amateur recordings: who taped them and how, what to listen for, the degree to which they reflect Syd's withdrawal, what's missing and the possibilities for the existing tapes and new discoveries. Seek out• September 10th at Gyllene Cirkeln, Stockholm, Sweden • September 13th at Starclub, Copenhagen, Denmark, and• November 13th at Hippy Happy Fair, De Oude-Ahoy Hallen, Ahoy Heliport, Rotterdam, The Netherlands And join us for a Reaction in G.

We start the new year with another wonderful guest, who is a musician, composer and one of the most versatile artists we had on the show so far. He has been a crucial part on every single Roger Waters tour between 2002 and 2016 and if his last name is familiar, that’s because he is also the son of Roger Waters.We talk enthusiastically about music in general, playing to click tracks, his last shows with Roger Waters at Coachella 2016, his excitement about Chick Corea and his programming work for a Nintendo game. Harry played many show with LES  CLAYPOOL and reveals how much he loves the Album ANIMALS.We very much respected his wish not to ask him any personal questions about his father so expect a in depth talk about music.

In this X-Mas Special we welcome back Phil Salathé to dive into an analysis of Pink Floyd's music. Phil is a professor and teaches music theory and composition at a state university in northern New York, is a musician and composer himself and is therefore the perfect conversation partner to analyze the music and musical development of Pink Floyd over the years and to examine the band's structures from a creative perspective.Since Phil is working on a new book, we also have the pleasure of getting a first insights at the book's topics.Look forward to a great conversation with Phil Salathé and learn what he thinks makes Pink Floyd so special!