For Syd

On this day in music history: September 12, 1975 - “Wish You Were Here”, the ninth album by Pink Floyd is released (US release date is on September 13, 1975). Produced by Pink Floyd, it is recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London from January - July 1975. Conceived as a concept album by Roger Waters feelings about the music industry, the songs “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” and “Wish You Were Here” are dedicated to former band mate Syd Barrett, whose drug fueled breakdown had forced him to leave the band. Both songs take on an added poignancy when Barrett turns up at the studio unannounced on June 5, 1975 while the band are recording the album. Overweight with a shaved head and eyebrows, he is virtually unrecognizable to his former band mates when they first see him. All are saddened and deeply affected by the brief encounter. It is also the last time they ever see Barrett before his death in 2006. The albums now iconic cover art is designed by long time collaborator Storm Thorgerson of Hipgnosis. The front cover photo (taken on the back lot of Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA) features a shot of two business men shaking hands, with one of them on fire, symbolizing how musicians often get burned by record companies in the business end of the music industry. The original UK and US album covers use alternate photos, with later reissues featuring the UK cover shot. The LP was then covered in either black or dark blue shrinkwrap featuring a large graphic sticker with the band name and title printed on it. Though it receives mixed reviews from critics, it becomes the bands fastest selling album to date, with advanced orders topping a quarter million in the UK and nearly one million in the US. Reissued numerous times since making its CD debut in 1984, it is most recently remastered and reissued in 2011. It is released as an extensive “Immersion Box Set”, containing two CD’s, two DVD’s and a Blu-ray disc. The CD’s contain the original stereo mix of the album on disc one, with the second containing six previously unreleased live tracks, studio outtakes and alternate mixes. The DVD’s and Blu-ray discs contain multi channel remixes including 5.1 surround mixes and original quadraphonic stereo mixes, and video of live performances. It is also remastered and reissued as a 180 gram vinyl LP in 2016. “Wish You Were Here” spends two weeks at number one on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 6x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

thanks to the most excellent Jeff Harris' blog 'Behind The Grooves  On this day in Music History