Welcome to the 2014 hennemusic Rock News Awards.
Over the next ten days, we’ll be counting down the Top 10 Rock News Artists of the past year.
Finalists for the 5th annual hennemusic Rock News Awards are chosen by readers: winners are determined by the combined total page views of the top 50 hennemusic rock news stories of the past twelve months.
The 2014 hennemusic Rock News Awards winners will be announced on Thursday, January 15.
hennemusic Rock News Artist of The Year No. 10 – PINK FLOYD
Pink Floyd made major headlines in 2014 as they issued their first studio album in 20 years – “The Endless River” – which may also turn out to be their final release.
In March, the group marked the 20th anniversary of their last studio recording, 1994’s “The Division Bell.” A special anniversary edition box set of the project hit the market in June.
In May, the first signs of life from the Floyd camp surfaced with word that David Gilmour was in the studio working on new music. Gilmour’s wife, author Polly Samson, posted a photo of the guitarist recording with some backup singers, while headlines suggested the sessions were for a solo album, his first since 2006’s “On An Island.”
Then, in early July, Samson’s studio photo was put into perspective when she revealed on Twitter: “Btw Pink Floyd album out in October is called ‘The Endless River.’ Based on 1994 sessions is Rick Wright’s swansong and very beautiful.”
Two days later – on July 7 – Pink Floyd officially announced the project with an October release, describing it as “an album of mainly ambient and instrumental music based on the 1993/4 Division Bell sessions which feature David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright.”
By September, Gilmour confirmed a November release date, tracklist and cover art while doing media interviews for “The Endless River”, confirming it as a tribute to Wright, who died from cancer in 2008 at the age of 65.
Short audio previews of the album surfaced in late September and into early October, including a first listen to the lead single, “Louder Than Words.”
The buzz about Pink Floyd’s first album in 20 years was so great that former band member Roger Waters felt compelled to issue a statement confirming that he did not participate in the project while reminding fans that he left the band close to 30 years prior.
By mid-October, Gilmour announced “The Endless River” would be the group’s final album and, late in the month, confirmed plans for a new solo album and tour in 2015.
“The Endless River” went on to become the most pre-ordered album of all time at Amazon UK and, upon its release, delivered the band their first UK No. 1 in 19 years and a No. 3 US debut.
Pink Floyd set a new record with the track, “Allons-y (1)”, becoming the most streamed song on Spotify while demand for the album helped lead a resurgence in vinyl sales in the UK.
Gilmour closed out 2014 with a performance of the Pink Floyd classic, “Wish You Were Here”, during a surprise appearance with the Bombay Bicycle Club at London’s Earls Court on December 13.
As it stands, Pink Floyd fans can look forward to new music and live shows from Gilmour as he plans to release his fourth solo album in 2015.
See also:
2014 hennemusic Rock News Awards announced
Van Halen and Pearl Jam top the 2013 hennemusic Rock News Awards
Van Halen dominate the 2012 hennemusic Rock News Awards
Van Halen win two hennemusic Rock News Awards
Guns N’ Roses named hennemusic’s Rock News Artist of The Year
Jimmy Page’s 2011 plans named hennemusic’s Rock News Story Of The Year
