TORONTO, May 13, 2015 — This year marks the 50th anniversary of the British band Pink Floyd, which made impactful music with universal themes. Though the band’s first stage performance was in May of 1965, Pink Floyd shot to fame in 1973 with the album Dark Side of the Moon and has remained ever popular. In fact, last year, the album was named the longest running on the Billboard 200, spending 861 weeks or 16 non-consecutive years on the charts. Also, former co-lead vocalist Roger Waters holds a record as the top grossing solo performing artist of all time, following his three-year long tour of The Wall that ended in 2013.

York University Professor Phil Rose in the department of communication studies is available to offer insight into the band, its members, and how each album features an overarching theme that strings songs together.

His recently published book, entitled “Roger Waters and Pink Floyd: The Concept Albums,” includes an original interview with Waters, and an in-depth analysis that wades through the richness of albums, such as Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977), The Wall (1979), The Final Cut (1983), and Waters’ third solo album Amused to Death (1993).

York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York U’s unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A York U degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre. York U is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York U’s 11 faculties and 25 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 280 leading universities worldwide. York U’s community is strong − 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 275,000 alumni.

Media Contact:  Gloria Suhasini, York University Media Relations, 416 736 2100 ext. 22094, suhasini@yorku.ca