Who left Pink Floyd in 1985?

Who left Pink Floyd in 1985? Roger Waters. The bassist, singer and principal songwriter announced his departure after the release of The Final Cut, Pink Floyd’s 1983 album. Creative tensions had grown sharply between Waters and guitarist David Gilmour, while drummer Nick Mason had taken a more limited role in the album’s creation.

Waters believed Pink Floyd had become a “spent force” creatively and formally notified EMI and CBS that he intended to leave in December 1985. He also tried to prevent Gilmour and Mason from continuing to use the Pink Floyd name, leading to a legal dispute. The band ultimately continued without him, releasing A Momentary Lapse of Reason in 1987.

A common mix-up is Richard Wright, the group’s keyboardist. Wright had left the official lineup during the recording of The Wall and returned as a salaried musician for the 1980–81 tour. He later rejoined Pink Floyd after Waters’s departure. Waters eventually reunited with the band for the 2005 Live 8 performance, but he was no longer a member.