The Dark Side of the Moon: How Pink Floyd Changed Music Forever.

Naim Halawi
3 min readJan 23, 2023

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A new design about Pink Floyd, made by Naim Halawi.
Artwork: Naim Halawi.

Pink Floyd is one of the most iconic and influential bands in the history of rock music. With several decades of career, Pink Floyd has produced some of the most memorable and enduring music.

The band was formed in London in 1965 by Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, and Roger Keith (Syd) Barrett. They began as a psychedelic rock band, with Syd Barrett’s distinctive guitar style and songwriting at the forefront of their sound. However, after Syd Barrett’s departure in 1968, the band’s sound and style underwent a significant shift, becoming more experimental and incorporating elements of progressive rock, hard rock, and even classical music.

One of the defining characteristics of Pink Floyd’s music is its focus on creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience. Their albums, often concept albums, were designed to be listened to in total, with each song contributing to the overall narrative or theme. This approach, relatively rare then, has since become a staple of progressive rock and other genres.

Pink Floyd’s most famous album is probably “The Dark Side of the Moon,” released in 1973, which spent 15 years on the Billboard 200 charts, longer than any other album in history. This album featured songs like “Money” and “Time,” which are still considered classics and are often played on the radio. The album tackled themes like conflict, greed, and insanity, and it’s regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time.

The band’s live performances were also legendary. They were known for their elaborate light shows and projections, designed to complement the music and create a visually stunning experience for the audience. Pink Floyd’s live shows were also notable for their use of cutting-edge technology, such as holographic projections and quadraphonic sound systems.

Pink Floyd’s influence on rock music is undeniable. They have inspired countless other bands and musicians with their innovative sound, style, and approach to music-making. Their music continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by fans of all ages and backgrounds, and their legacy lives on.

In addition to the music, Pink Floyd’s visuals are also considered an essential aspect of their work. The album covers and music videos are iconic and widely recognized for their artistic merit. Storm Thorgerson and Hipgnosis, the graphic design team behind most of Pink Floyd’s album covers, have helped to create some of the most iconic and enduring images in rock music history.

In conclusion, Pink Floyd’s influence on rock music is undeniable, from their innovative sound, style, and approach to music-making to their visuals and live performances. The band has inspired countless other bands and musicians, and their legacy continues to live on through their music and visuals. They have produced some of the most memorable and enduring music of all time, and their albums continue to be celebrated and enjoyed by fans of all ages and backgrounds.

The article artwork I designed is available as merch on my Red Bubble store or as a printable PNG file.

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There are no affiliate links in this article; you may find two links to my stores for those interested.

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Naim Halawi

Hi, this is Naim Halawi, a Lebanese actor, writer, producer, and online radio owner. Welcome to my profile! https://linktr.ee/naimhalawi