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=UjUAxlTTvAg

Subscribe 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_Podcast

Most important shows:
1974-06-22 Colmar (tour start)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AFkERLrJQU

1974-11-19 Stoke on Trent (British Winter Tour 74 bootleg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F2-bSdNHTY

1974-12-14 Bristol (Best Dark Side Set)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlFm7s-Gypc

1975-04-26 Los Angeles (Millard recording)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4clpGEnZz0o

1975-06-09 Landover (Best ‘75 Dark Side Set)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8iLvc72N1w

1975-06-17 Uniondale (Great show)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPzaR1PcUDI

1975-06-28 Hamilton (Superb recording)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAR5x2LGHO0


Videos:
1975-04-27 Los Angeles (8mm)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NYLy9NqlAY

1975-06-09 Landover (8mm)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH1mGiSmbRk

1975-06-26 Montreal (8mm)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb7lxh_9eOk

1975-06-28 Hamilton (8mm)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSXZMFq_Msk

1975-07-05 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.