An “unforgettable” performance of a Pink Floyd classic took place at the Royal Albert Hall, when David Bowie joined David Gilmour and Richard Wright.
The Life on Mars hitmaker took to the stage with one half of The Dark Side of the Moon hitmakers for a rousing rendition of Arnold Layne. Their show at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, has been hailed as one of the best-ever performances of the Syd Barrett-penned song. It would become the band’s first-ever single, and though it never featured Gilmour in the studio, the veteran guitarist would surprisingly add it to his setlist in the mid-2000s. This version of the song would be released as a single to promote the live show, Remember That Night. It’s a show which features not only Bowie but David Crosby and Graham Nash, who featured on a selection of songs including Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-2, 4-5), and On an Island.
Bowie would perform both Arnold Layne and Comfortably Numb with Gilmour and Wright. Fans of the live versions believe this early years Pink Floyd song is much better suited to his vocal style than The Wall hit. One fan suggested: “This song really seemed suited to Bowie’s style, much more so than Comfortably Numb. He really seemed to enjoy performing this.”
Another added: “So glad David Gilmour asked the great man to sing this. I’m sure this is Syd Barrett’s greatest song, always put the later Floyd stuff in the shade. So, so, sad that Syd and David are no longer with us, I’ve shed a few tears, so many great memories.”
A third shared: “The most perfect version of Arnold Layne I ever heard! We can hear clearly how great a vocalist David was, and his English accent perfectly reflects this song, which has a 100% British vibe and soul, and David is the perfect channel for it. My favourite two Davids on the same stage.”
It was not only Bowie receiving praise for his rousing rendition of the song, but also the late Wright on keys, too. One fan wrote: “I really miss Richard Wright. The way he padded the sound with beautiful runs and texture is irreplaceable!” Another added: “Outstanding version. RIP David, Richard and Syd.”
Others were left surprised Gilmour was open to performing songs written by Barrett. One person wrote: “I didn’t realise that David Gilmour played Syd Barrett songs. Played well. Just missing my favourite part of Pink Floyd completely. Syd himself. May Syd and David Bowie R.I.P.”
It marks quite a chance from one of Pink Floyd’s earliest performances, where Barrett’s guitar strings “fell off”, according to Roger Waters. The bassist and founding member explained how Barrett played the strings off of his guitar, one by one, and then did not play another note for the rest of the evening.
He recalled: “We went on, and Syd famously… we started the first tune, I can’t remember what it was, and Syd famously started strumming, you know, his bottom E string, and turning the machinehead down and lowering the tone of the string, and he turned the machinehead ‘til the string fell off the guitar.”
You can watch David Gilmour, David Bowie, and Richard Wright perform the classic Syd Barrett tune below.
