Pink Floyd: Shine On: The Definitive Oral History by Mark Blake
Music is an integral part of modern culture. Musical genres such as rock-n-roll define generations and give hope and excitement to listeners fortunate enough to be a part of the musical experience. Groups such as Black Sabbath, AC/DC, and Pink Floyd have stamped their mark around the world and on pop culture for decades. In Pink Floyd: Shine On: The Definitive Oral History, author Mark Blake uses the band’s own background as well as the words of others who directed the band and were essential parts of its groundbreaking musical style and legacy.
The music surrounding Pink Floyd is the music of the ages. Each member of the band plays an important role in Pink Floyd: Shine On with their words and their memories. The music of this innovative and influential band is described by Blake as the history of an era. Blake benefits from being a band insider and someone with a special relationship with each individual band member. Blake gives equal attention to the band’s musical catalogue and to the accomplishments of each member. He also sheds light on the world of the 1970s through interviews with producers, friends, and romantic interests of the band.
Pink Floyd: Shine On is an excellent oral history. The fresh perspective on this iconic band is much needed. Many of the musical acts that rose to prominence during the heyday of Pink Floyd did not survive the changing musical tastes of the 1980s. Pink Floyd, along with the acts mentioned above and others, not only survived the change in musical tastes but also stayed true to their success. The 1980s witnessed a move towards keyboard and synthesizer stylings, and Pink Floyd were able to harness that change and make it their own. Blake’s writing style provides a description of how these changes in musical tastes and style insured the continued success of Pink Floyd.
Pink Floyd: Shine On is a well-written and enjoyable read. The narrative flows well and leads the reader towards a greater understanding of Pink Floyd. Blake takes advantage of his reporters’ wit and style in order to craft an engaging and sympathetic work. Fans of the golden age of rock-n-roll will do well to add Pink Floyd: Shine On to their nighttime reading. This chronicle will take a welcome place alongside oral histories such as Denim and Leather: The Rise and Fall of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal by Michael Hann. Pink Floyd: Shine On is an excellent look into the world of the music that makes the world go round.
About Mark Blake:
Mark Blake is the bestselling author of Dreams: The Many Lives of Fleetwood Mac, among other music books. He has worked closely with Pink Floyd for the past thirty years. Pink Floyd have sold over 275 million albums worldwide since their inception.
