Pink Floyd was a unique and influential force in progressive rock. By the time they released “The Dark Side of the Moon” in 1973, it seemed nothing could stand in their way. However, the release of “Animals” in 1977 tested the band’s relationships. In 1979, Pink Floyd produced a masterpiece titled “The Wall,” but the internal conflicts nearly led to the band’s end.
Producer Bob Ezrin, who collaborated on the album, discussed the circumstances surrounding its creation in an interview with CBC News. He revealed that Roger Waters had bullied keyboardist Richard Wright during this tumultuous period.
Bob Ezrin described a toxic atmosphere during the recording, and revealed how Roger Waters often bullied keyboardist Richard Wright. Waters unfairly criticized Wright’s contributions, despite Wright being a key part of the Pink Floyd sound. Ezrin suggested that Wright felt insecure and withdrawn after Animals, and Waters, sensing this vulnerability, targeted him—perhaps not intentionally, but instinctively, like a typical bully.
“There was a lot of laughter. People think it was all angst and tears and stuff. There was a tremendous amount of laughter, kibitzing, messing around.”
Ezrin explained: “There was a lot of schoolyard bullying from time to time. Roger was very tough on Rick. He was disappointed in Rick’s contribution to the record, which was not correct because Rick’s fantastic. And the minute that he plays or sings, it just becomes Pink Floyd. He’s such an essential part of the sound, but he’s a very sensitive man and was feeling a little bit removed from the process after the making of ‘Animals.'”
“I think he was self-conscious, and Roger, like many bullies, they recognize weakness the minute they see it. They smell blood, and they go for it. So I think, not consciously, but just naturally, Roger started to get pissed off.”
