Who was the leader after Syd left the band?

[Alistair Tait]

Syd was the creative force and band leader when he was around, but after he left there was a big power vacuum. Who led the band during this period? Was it Rick, or was it Nick, or was it Roger or even David?

[Bride of a Bull]

Welcome back Ali Tait. Had a bit of a break since July? Why did you establish another username; forgot your old password or what?

I think you know very well the de facto leader of Pink Floyd became Roger Waters after Syd's departure, if only because he penned the lion's share of lyrics.

[Alistair Tait]

No, I forgot my password, and the email address I used before doesn't work any longer!

Was Rick not quite heavily involved in the running of the band though as well?

[Bride of a Bull]

You said "leader" not running the band, in which I would guess they all had a hand or two. Perhaps in the same manner that on many of their songs, they all have credits.

[Wing'd Icarus]

I'd say Rog had the upperhand, though Dave was much cooler. Rick was a pansy (well, he was...) and Nick just ****ed off and did his own thing.

[FloydWright]

I would say that during ASoS, both RW's were pretty heavily involved in helping the band to find its direction and there wasn't really a clear single leader. David Gilmour hadn't really developed his style independent of Syd Barrett (whom I believe he'd been instructed to emulate), in any regard. That came later. If you look at the credits of Saucerful and also take note of who sings what, the idea that it was probably both RW's pulling the weight pretty equally seems plausible. Roger Waters would eventually develop a direction and clearer style in lyrics (which was still in an early stage on ASoS). Richard Wright's style, both in keyboards and vocals, was already recognizeable and probably helped very much in easing the transition by giving fans something consistent to hang onto. And accordingly, he's pretty prominent on ASoS. Of course, I wasn't there and I can't know for sure, but I think this may be what happened.

Over time after ASoS, the RW-DG combo got more overt power (though for awhile Mr. Wright was still very influential in a more behind-the-scenes capacity), until finally it was just Mr. Waters, and then the whole dynamic shifted again with his departure.

I hope that answers your question pretty throughly!

By the way, I leave you with some food for thought, slightly paraphrased: "A choice not to lead is not the same as choosing to be a servant."

[Alistair Tait]

Cheers!

[FloydWright]

Thanks.

[Alistair Tait]

No problem!

[Dazed&Confused]

For a while before Syd 'left' he had absolutely no control. His music was being played and he was of course the attraction of Pink Floyd, but he was utterly out of it for a long time before the band finally decided to leave him behind. David Gilmour was playing all his guitar licks, and most of the time Syd was left do what he wanted on stage, which was often standing there staring into space.

Read about it here: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magaz...804928,00.html

[BRAZILIAN FLOYD]

DURING A SHORT PERIOD THIS VACCUM WAS FILLED EQUALLY BY THE OTHERS. I THINK THAT R. WRIGHT MADE BEAUTIFULL SONGS THOSE YEARS.
BUT WE CAN SEE THAT ROGER WAS ALWAYS THE "DINAMO". AT FIRST IT WAS NATURAL PROCESS.
HIS LYRICS AND DAVE MUSIC MADE THE PERFECT DUO.

[greatgig]

David credits Roger for being the supreme motivator of the band in an interview when he's explaining that it was his motivation and lyrics, not his music, that was missed when Pink Floyd went on with him. He motivated everyone else, gave them the drive to make music, so I consider Roger leader.

Roger also probably credits Roger for being the supreme motivator.