Pink Floyd, London, 1972 by Jill Furmanovsky
This month is the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s classic album ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’. Often regarded as one of the greatest records of all time, The Dark Side of the Moon represents Pink Floyd at their peak. The album beautifully combines high-production techniques with experimental sounds influenced by rock, blues and jazz to produce a musical masterpiece and its iconic album design is almost as famous as the music itself. Designed by Hipgnosis’ Aubrey Powell and Storm Thorgerson the cover featuring a beam of light passing through a prism is one music’s most recognisable pieces of album art.
Pink Floyd, Brighton Dome, 1972 by Jill Furmanovsky
David Gilmour & Storm Thorgerson playing backgammon, 1974 photographed by Jill Furmanovsky
To celebrate the anniversary, Jill Furmanovsky has released a new series of limited edition prints of photographs taken when she toured with the band between 1972-1974. In 1972 Jill was a fledgling photographer at the start of her career but she had the fortune to be invited to photograph the band and through her unique access took a memorable collection of photographs that capture the band during these unprecedented years.
Roger Waters, Pink Floyd, Earl's Court Arena, 1973 by Jill Furmanovsky
In a recent interview with Record Collector Magazine Jill recalls, “Pink Floyd were the first band I properly observed because they were rehearsing at the Rainbow during the second week of my photography course. The songs they were working on would become The Dark Side Of The Moon. I took a few terrible pictures from the balcony but I kept my distance because I was very shy. They played the full show the following month, and then they went to the Dome in Brighton. By that time, I’d met their promoter, Peter Bowyer, and he invited me to photograph it.”
When talking about her first shots of the band, Jill goes on to add, “I went with my first-ever flash gun, which I didn’t know how to use properly. I was in the dressing room with them, trying to be discreet. The band didn’t seem to care. Nick Mason was the friendliest and he was interested in photography. David Gilmour was so good-looking that I couldn’t have a conversation with him. Roger Waters was a bit scary, and Rick Wright was very shy.”
The full Record Collector interview with Jill is available in the latest edition of the magazine as part of an 18 page special feature that also includes a buyer’s guide to the album, conversations with experts and insiders including Alan Parsons, and revists the Dark Side era gigs. You can order the special edition of the magazine here.
The Record Collector issue also has a link to order a special anniversary limited edition print based on the magazine's cover art which was designed by Jill. See inside the magazine for full details
Pink Floyd Print by Jill Furmanovsky available via Record Collector Magazine
All Jill's new prints are available in limited editions of just 30, hand-signed by Jill and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. You can see Jill's full collection of Pink Floyd images taken across her career here
David Gilmour & Rick Wright, 1974 by Jill Furmanovsky
Pink Floyd, Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 1974 by Jill Furmanovsky
David Gilmour, British Winter Tour, 1974 by Jill Furmanovsky
