Fingal's Cave - A Podcast for all dedicated Pink Floyd Fans

Nils Zehnpfennig / Ian Priston / Phil Salathé / Kyle V
  • 4.5 (22)
  • MUSIC HISTORY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Follow Fingal's Cave for a fresh perspective on the music of Pink Floyd. Our contributors include Rosemary Breen (Syd Barrett's sister), leading researchers, musicians who have worked with the band, road crew, collectors, tapers and traders.

  1. MAR 20

    Ep.33 - Psychedelic Memories With Greg Taylor - Part 2: 1968

    In Part 2 of our in-depth conversation with Greg Taylor, we turn to Pink Floyd’s concerts in 1968, as Greg recalls a series of extraordinary performances he witnessed during that transitionary year.At the centre of the episode is Greg’s vivid recollection of the 19 January 1968 concert at Lewes Town Hall, a rare performance featuring the short-lived five-man Pink Floyd line-up with Syd Barrett and David Gilmour both on stage. Greg remembers the evening in remarkable detail, from the character of the hall itself and the local promoter who organised the event, to the backstage atmosphere and the stories that have survived from that night.Most striking of all is Greg’s memory of David Gilmour positioned slightly behind Syd Barrett on stage, ready to step forward if Syd stopped playing. It is a fascinating glimpse of Pink Floyd at a fragile moment, still carrying Syd’s creative, painterly vision while beginning to adapt to the possibility of continuing without it.The conversation then moves through recollections of several other memorable performances from 1968, including the Falmer House Courtyard show at the University of Sussex in May, the Midsummer High weekend concert in June at Hyde Park, (where Greg captured remarkable photographs of the band at close range), and Middle Earth at the Roundhouse in October.Greg also talks about taping some of the Floyd's BBC sessions, photographing concerts as a teenager, and the atmosphere of the British underground music scene in the late 1960s.If you are interested in early Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, psychedelic London, and the live music culture of the late 1960s, Greg’s memories offer a rare, intimate, first-hand window into that world.Subscribe for more episodes, and we would love to hear your own recollections or questions in the comments. Part 3 on Greg's journey through 1969 - 1971 premieres next month, so don't miss it!

    44 min
  2. Ep.32 - Psychedelic Memories With Greg Taylor - Part 1: 1967

    FEB 14

    Ep.32 - Psychedelic Memories With Greg Taylor - Part 1: 1967

    In this first installment of our conversation with Greg Taylor, Ian Priston explores what it means to remember a cultural moment from the inside, not as nostalgia, but as lived perception. Greg reconstructs his introduction to Pink Floyd through a series of encounters: a poster on King's Road, the underground press, the first shock of a single, and the genuinely unfamiliar experience of the Floyd's early vision performed amid kinetic sculpture and liquid light. Rather than treating Syd Barrett era Floyd as a set of canonical artefacts, Greg's incredible recollections move between the tangible (equipment, ticketing, sight-lines and the physical layout of venues) as well as the interpretative (Barrett's “painterly” logic in sound, the band's rejection of conventional stage charisma and the early tension between pop, mainstream visibility and avant-garde intent). Part 1 ends with the story still in motion, moving towards Greg's attendance of a five-man Floyd Concert in January 1968 and the next phase of the group's evolution. Part 2 arrives next month, so stay tuned!Subscribe for more, and share your own recollections or questions in the comments.

    1h 12m

  3. 09/21/2025

    Ep.31 - From Underground to Icons: Ed Paule’s new book, Pink Floyd 1967

    In this episode of the Fingal’s Cave Podcast, hosts Ian Priston and Phil Salathé sit down with author and archivist Ed Paule to explore his landmark book Pink Floyd 1967 - a meticulous, month-by-month chronicle of the band’s breakthrough year, shortly before its publication. From their early days in London’s underground clubs to their leap into the international spotlight, Ed’s research uncovers how every gig, press clipping, and recording session shaped the rise of one of the most influential bands in history.The conversation takes listeners into the archives, revealing long-forgotten gig listings, rare photographs, and quirky press interviews that paint a vivid picture of the band. Ed shares stories of meticulous detective work, surprising discoveries, and collaborations with other Floyd historians that helped him crack mysteries fans have puzzled over for decades - like the possible origins of Vegetable Man,” the phantom track Stoolfix, and the exact dates of elusive gigs.Whether you are a lifelong collector or just beginning to explore the early days of Pink Floyd, this episode offers a fascinating deep dive into the year that defined their sound, their image, and their enduring legacy.Pink Floyd 1967 is available now at https://www.floydstuff.com/the-bee-smart-book-co, limited to 450 copies.Subscribe to Fingal’s Cave for more journeys to the edges of Pink Floyd music history.This episode is dedicated to Johan Lif.

    1h 32m

  4. 08/31/2025

    Ep.30 - Steve Anderson: 50 Years of Floyd: Bootlegs, Barrett, and Beyond

    In this episode of Fingal’s Cave, host Ian Priston talks with Steve Anderson - creator of the iconic Floydboots website, visited over a million times by collectors, and author of the 2024 book Wizardo: Stories of a Bootlegger.Steve reflects on five decades of Pink Floyd: from being a 12-year-old at Wembley Empire Pool in November 1974 and the heartbreak of his prized Stoke bootleg being broken - to the challenge of hunting down and thrill of listening to rare titles. He recalls leaving home at 3am from Knebworth 1975, the ferocity and spectacle of the Animals tour, the monumental experience of The Wall shows, and meeting the band at the premiere of The Wall film.Steve also shares two extraordinary encounters with Syd Barrett in the 1990s - fleeting but unforgettable glimpses of the band’s elusive founding genius. Along the way, he discusses Barrett superfan the late Bernard White, the legacy of John Wizardo, his adventures as a record dealer, and the time he was offered Roger Waters’ Live at Pompeii bass. It is a fascinating story of how a lifetime can be shaped by music, soundtracked by Pink Floyd. This episode is in stereo - because, well, it just had to be. And if you think you hear a fly buzzing, dogs wanting attention, or even church bells chiming in the distance… you are not imagining things. Consider them accidental Pink Floyd–style sound effects.Subscribe to Fingal’s Cave for more journeys to the edges of Pink Floyd music history.

    2h 11m

  5. 07/22/2025

    Ep.29 - 40 Years of Flying Solo, Celebrating David Gilmour Live 1984-2024 (with Special Guest: Bjorn Riis)

    In this episode of the Fingal's Cave Podcast, host Nils Zehnpfennig and guests Mike McCartney, Joe Krist and special guest Bjorn Riis from Gilmourish.com celebrate 40 years of David Gilmour's live performances.We begin by exploring Bjorn's musical background and the influence of Gilmour, Pink Floyd, and other bands on his sound. We then trace the evolution of Gilmour’s tone, gear and style throughout his solo career and his time with Pink Floyd from 1968 to 1994.We start the discussion with Gilmour’s 1978 debut and his decision not to tour. We then take an in-depth look at the About Face tour in 1984 and reflect on the chaotic Ecomundo show in Colombia in 1992.We also revisit the acclaimed On an Island tour of 2006, discussing the stellar band, the wonderful set list, and the unforgettable performance of 'Echoes'.A decade later, Gilmour returned with Rattle That Lock. We explore the differences between that tour and the one in 2006, including the surprise mid-tour line-up changes, and we discuss the somewhat underwhelming Pompeii shows in 2016.Finally, we talk about his latest album, Luck and Strange, and the short tour that followed. We also reflect on his four decades of live music and celebrate a legendary career that continues to inspire many of us.

    2h 3m

  6. 06/17/2025

    Ep.28 - Frying Eggs and Breaking Milk Bottles: The Masked Marauder’s Pink Floyd Story

    In this fascinating episode of Fingal’s Cave, host Ian Priston sits down with a legendary figure from Pink Floyd's early days - an underground taper known as The Masked Marauder. One of just a few people who recorded the band live in the 1960s, he shares candid memories of the counterculture, classic gigs at UFO and Middle Earth, and capturing historic BBC radio sessions from his living room.Hear personal reflections on:• Syd Barrett and David Gilmour-era Pink Floyd shows• Legendary venues like the Roundhouse and Eel Pie Island• Taping the The Man and The Journey premiere and other bands such as Soft Machine• His bohemian lifestyle, radical activism, and outsider spirit.Now 82 and sharp as ever, the Masked Marauder brings the psychedelic era to life with wit, warmth, and authenticity. A must-listen for Pink Floyd fans, music historians, and anyone interested in the London 1960s underground scene.Recorded at his home on a busy London street, the conversation is rich with atmosphere, quiet pauses, and thoughtful insights. As always, Fingal’s Cave favours authentic conversations over formal interviews.Please find here a subtitled version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjUAxlTTvAgSubscribe to Fingal’s Cave for more journeys to the edges of Pink Floyd music history.

    1h 22m

  7. 05/13/2025

    Ep.27 - Set the Controls: Lee Harris and the Early Days of Pink Floyd

    Lee Harris, the founder and guitarist of the successful band ‘Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secret’ was our first interview guest almost two years ago. We had an exciting conversation back then and we knew we wanted to invite him back to our podcast.Now, 25 episodes later, the time has finally come, Lee Harris is back!Together with Phil Salathé, in this episode we talk about Lee's youth, his own career as co-manager and guitarist of the band ‘Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ and the musical development of Pink Floyd between the years 1967 and 1972, an era they cover with the 'Saucers'.Lee also gives us a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the band, describing the conditions under which the songs were chosen and why Echoes came so late in the setlist.Look forward to a lively conversation between two full-blooded musicians and some great and nerdy insights...(On a personal note, to our knowledge Pink Floyd performed 'The Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast' four times during the UK leg of their British Winter Tour in 1970.)

    1h 20m
  8. Ep.26 - Over the Moon: Pink Floyd Live 1974-1975

    04/08/2025

    Ep.26 - Over the Moon: Pink Floyd Live 1974-1975

    To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the start of the North America tour in 1975, we present a new and exciting episode of the Fingal's Cave podcast.In more than 2 hours we discuss Pink Floyd's so-called transition period between 1974 and 1975, often derided as the band's creative low point.But even though there were many late decisions, sound problems, mishaps and - to be frank - a certain amount of laziness, these three tours, which started in Colmar (France) on 22nd June and ended in Knebworth (UK) on 5th July, offered plenty to talk about. From one of the finest Dark Side of the Moon shows in Bristol to a total disaster in Knebworth, Pink Floyd went through a rollercoaster ride in these 380 days, defining their own future by road-testing new material and setting the stage (no pun intended) with stunning new visuals, including the birth of Mr. Screen.After several weeks of preparation, we are proud to bring you an in-depth chat that even the dedicated Pink Floyd fan will learn something from, we promise!Our yt-channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Fingals_Cave_PodcastMost important shows:1974-06-22 Colmar (tour start)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AFkERLrJQU1974-11-19 Stoke on Trent (British Winter Tour 74 bootleg)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F2-bSdNHTY1974-12-14 Bristol (Best Dark Side Set)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlFm7s-Gypc1975-04-26 Los Angeles (Millard recording)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4clpGEnZz0o1975-06-09 Landover (Best ‘75 Dark Side Set)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8iLvc72N1w1975-06-17 Uniondale (Great show)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPzaR1PcUDI1975-06-28 Hamilton (Superb recording)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAR5x2LGHO0Videos:1975-04-27 Los Angeles (8mm)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NYLy9NqlAY1975-06-09 Landover (8mm)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH1mGiSmbRk1975-06-26 Montreal (8mm)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb7lxh_9eOk1975-06-28 Hamilton (8mm)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSXZMFq_Msk1975-07-05 Knebworth (video)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oi5BCXeV4A

    2h 36m
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4.5
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Follow Fingal's Cave for a fresh perspective on the music of Pink Floyd. Our contributors include Rosemary Breen (Syd Barrett's sister), leading researchers, musicians who have worked with the band, road crew, collectors, tapers and traders.

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