Working relationships in a rock and roll band aren’t always the most stable. Of course, some musicians treat their bandmates like members of their own family. However, for the majority of people, being in a band is just another job. When things don’t work out, they have to decide whether to show up to the studio or give up. Just as the album was about to get underway, Richard Wright finally mustered the courage to stand up for himself. While Roger Waters was already leading Pink Floyd into some dark place on The Wall.
However, when discussing this particular period of Pink Floyd, it usually boils down to Waters’s ability to manipulate the other musicians. Whether it was paying homage to Syd Barrett or discussing the perils facing big business, Waters appeared to have a handle on what he wanted to say from “Dark Side of the Moon” onward. Even though no one could claim to be the group’s leader at any given time, Waters’ vision was clear.
If the other members of the group found that material too intellectual, they weren’t ready for what he had in store for the next album. After the band presented two different ideas for rock operas, the remaining members concluded that one idea was most effective. They decided that the concept of a person building their own wall and imprisoning themselves inside their own mind was the best way to bring their songs to life.
Initially, that was the expected outcome, at the very least. Roger Waters was certain that they had to enter the studio as soon as possible in order to continue the momentum they had started while on the road, even though they had only taken a brief break during a stop-gap between touring and recording.
However, Richard Wright had already adopted a new mindset. He preferred family time over long hours at his keyboard searching for the perfect sound. Waters said Wright was furious about rejoining and sent too many angry messages before returning.
Speaking with Mark Blake, Waters recalled that Wright’s remarks. “I got Steve O’Rourke to call Rick and tell him about the new plans—were the decisive factor in keeping him in the group. A few days afterward, I received a call from Steve informing me that Rick had been located. He was in Greece. Tell Roger to fu*k off,’ he said. That proved to be the breaking point for the camel.
However, as Wright later recalled, “I didn’t say [that],” he hadn’t even said that. That didn’t exactly clear the air, though, as Richard Wright was met with a chilly reception from Roger Waters and was eventually kicked out of the band when it came time to tour in support of the album, only to appear as a session musician.
Wright may not have stayed in the band as a result of the communication breakdown. However, the band had already changed by the time they released the record. The friendship that made “Wish You Were Here” possible would never again exist. Even though they had all the ingredients to create a fantastic album.
