It takes a certain kind of confidence to dismiss an entire genre of music. Most people hesitate to say they dislike something without a long list of reasons. But Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour? He’s never had that problem.
Known for his clear vision and artistic independence, Gilmour has never been the type to bend to public opinion. His music, he believes, should be created from personal meaning—not crowd-pleasing. “I don’t consider an audience member’s views because that’s the death of art, if you ask me,” he told the LA Times. It might sound blunt, but Gilmour’s philosophy is simple: music is personal, and what matters most is how it feels to the artist.
That mindset also explains why he despises the term “prog-rock”—a label that many would see as a compliment. Progressive rock, to most, represents experimentation, boundary-pushing, and freedom. But to Gilmour, it’s the opposite. “I hate that word,” he admitted, viewing the label as more of a box than a badge. Despite Pink Floyd often being called a progressive rock band, Gilmour doesn’t see himself—or his music—fitting into that category.
His harshest take, though, might be about punk.
While many music fans see punk as a rebellious, powerful force that reshaped rock and gave a voice to the voiceless, Gilmour is far from impressed. “I thought [punk] was quite lively when it first came out,” he said. But beyond the energy, he didn’t see it as meaningful or lasting. In fact, he viewed it more like a teenage phase—loud, obnoxious, and lacking real musical skill. “People being incredibly rude and playing music incredibly badly… that’s always been a teenage sort of thing,” he added.
To Gilmour, punk wasn’t groundbreaking—it was just another noisy wave that came and went. He doesn’t deny its attitude, but he questions its substance. And while that opinion may not sit well with punk lovers, it’s classic Gilmour: blunt, honest, and driven by what he feels matters in music—not what anyone else says does.
