Whatever Happened to Pink Floyd? (2011)

I'll admit I am a total sucker for music documentaries.  Even for musicians I could care less about, there is just something about their histories that interest me.  Pink Floyd is a band I have had a love/hate relationship with for my whole life.  When I was starting to get into music, some of my friends liked Pink Floyd but I never really connected with them.  I was listening to punk and more aggressive music that was the antithesis of what (I thought) Pink Floyd were.  Then I started listening to Syd Barrett and I grew more interested in Pink Floyd, but only their early stuff.  It was fairly recently that I started giving them another chance and found that I actually like some of their stuff a lot.  I also wondered whatever happened to Pink Floyd?  So how could I pass this documentary up?

Whatever Happened to Pink Floyd? The Strange Case of Waters and Gilmour explores the turmoil the band went through following the release of their breakthrough album Dark Side of the Moon in 1973.  Roger Waters, the band's bass player, vocalist and songwriter, had taken charge of the band, partially because of his band members' lack of material and input.  This caused some tension in the band but things remained the same for many years after.  Roger Waters eventually left, leaving the remaining members (vocalist/guitarist David Gilmour, Drummer Nick Mason and Keyboardist Rick Wright) to soldier on without him.  Water's departure led the group in a more commercial direction and surprisingly the band was very successful despite losing its leader.  This documentary explores what really happened from this period up until the present.

Whatever Happened to Pink Floyd? is a fascinating portrayal of a much loved band going through the most tumultuous time of it's long history.  Interspersed with interview footage from the band members as well as music historians, the truth comes out about what really happened.  Also included are several clips of classic performances and other footage from the band's career.  You really can't ask more from a documentary.  Even those who are not fans of Pink Floyd should find this documentary a worthwhile glimpse into an important band's story.

RATING: 9/10

Pre Order now - release date 2/22/11