Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason isn’t just the rhythmic heart of one of rock’s most experimental bands — he’s also a thoughtful and eclectic listener. In a recent conversation on Classic Albums Sundays, Mason shared the five albums that have influenced him most, offering insight into the music that shaped his perspective behind the kit and beyond.
Mason’s role in Pink Floyd was more than keeping time. As the band’s constant member from its inception in 1964 through its most adventurous decades, his sense of rhythm, texture and musical curiosity helped steer songs that could be both wildly experimental and deeply affecting.
Raised in a home where films and music were integral, Mason came into his own as a performer and songwriter early on. Before Pink Floyd, he formed a band with Richard Wright and Roger Waters at university, a group that would evolve into one of rock’s most influential acts. Mason’s background in jazz, R&B and big band music helped him approach the drums not just as a timekeeper, but as a contributor to the overall feel and groove of a song.
Below are the albums Mason chose as his favourites of all time — selections that reflect his deep appreciation for musical breadth and rhythmic invention:
Nick Mason’s Five Favourite Albums
- Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
Mason calls Dylan “still the greatest songwriter in rock music history,” praising the poetic depth and lasting power of the songs on this groundbreaking album. - Jimi Hendrix – Axis: Bold as Love
A blend of psychedelic rock and raw creativity, Mason appreciates this record not only for Hendrix’s vision but for the presence of drummer Mitch Mitchell, one of Mason’s own inspirations. - Thelonious Monk – The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall
Mason admires Monk’s precision and flair, describing the pianist’s work as a “lesson in timing and percussion as well as the music itself.” - Miles Davis – Jack Johnson
A jazz landmark, this album’s groove and ensemble interplay exemplify the kind of rhythmic subtlety Mason values deeply. He has said it’s “probably the greatest groove album of all time.” - Bruce Hornsby and The Range – Halcyon Days
A record Mason loves for its songwriting and musical range, noting Hornsby’s skills as a pianist and the band’s emotional directness.
A Curator of Rhythm, Not Just a Drummer
Mason’s selections reveal a musician whose tastes transcend genre boundaries — from folk to jazz to psychedelic rock — and highlight his belief that rhythm and feel are as vital as melody and composition. His respect for pioneers like Monk and Davis underscores how his own playing was informed by a broader musical heritage that extended far beyond rock.
By pointing to these personal favourites, Mason offers a rare glimpse into the influences behind the drummer who helped anchor Pink Floyd’s most adventurous strains of sound. In his words and his choices, rhythm wasn’t an afterthought — it was a lens through which to experience all music.
