Did Pink Floyd Receive Grammy Award?

Pink Floyd is a successful rock bands of all time. Their music spans various genres, from psychedelic to progressive to ambient, and has inspired countless artists and fans. But did they ever receive a Grammy Award, the prestigious recognition of musical excellence in the US?

Pink Floyd’s Grammy Awards History

The answer is yes, but only once. Pink Floyd was nominated for four Grammy Awards throughout their career, but they only won one in 1995 for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the song “Marooned”. The song is from their 14th studio album, The Division Bell, which was released in 1994 and was the last album to feature the original lineup of David Gilmour, Richard Wright and Nick Mason.

“Marooned” is a haunting and atmospheric instrumental piece that showcases Gilmour’s expressive guitar playing and Wright’s ethereal keyboard sounds. The song was composed by Gilmour and Wright, and was recorded in a houseboat studio on the River Thames. The song has no lyrics, but it conveys a sense of isolation and longing through its music.

The Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance was presented to Pink Floyd at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony on March 1, 1995 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The other nominees in the category were Eric Johnson for “SRV”, Joe Satriani for “Speed of Light”, Steve Vai for “Tender Surrender” and Yes for “The Gates of Delirium”.

Pink Floyd did not attend the ceremony, so the award was accepted by their producer Bob Ezrin, who thanked the band and their fans on their behalf. Ezrin also mentioned that Pink Floyd was working on a new live album at the time, which would later be released as Pulse in 1995.

A Surprising Grammy Award Win

Pink Floyd’s sole Grammy Award win was a surprise to many, as they had been overlooked by the Recording Academy for many years, despite their critical acclaim and commercial success. Their previous nominations were for Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for The Wall in 1981, and Best Music Video – Long Form for Delicate Sound of Thunder in 1990.

Some of their most iconic albums, such as The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and Animals, never received any Grammy nominations, although The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall were later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and 2008 respectively.

Pink Floyd’s Grammy Award win was also a testament to their enduring popularity and relevance in the 1990s, when they staged two massive world tours in support of A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987-1989) and The Division Bell (1994). The latter tour included a historic performance at Earls Court in London on October 20, 1994, when they were joined on stage by former member Roger Waters for a rendition of “Comfortably Numb”. This was the first time that Waters had performed with Pink Floyd since his acrimonious departure in 1985.

A Well-Deserved Recognition

Pink Floyd’s legacy as one of the greatest rock bands of all time is undeniable, and their music continues to influence and inspire generations of musicians and listeners. Their Grammy Award win may have been long overdue, but it was a well-deserved recognition of their artistic achievement and contribution to rock music history.