Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason addressed historical points familiar to most fans in greater and fresher depth than usual during this New York City visit. Anecdotal items, including whether there could have been a Jeff Beck Pink Floyd mark, how shockingly close all surviving band members have come to a post-Live 8 reunion, and specifying recorded content that may finally see the light of day will cement this week’s interviews as robust resources for music historians. Mason’s quiet dignity, humour, wit, and warmth toward fans underscores the importance of his unofficial role as the band historian and archivist. His New York City interviews are a reminder that in the debate over the Barrett, Waters, and Gilmour eras the mytharc belongs to Mason.

This week Nick Mason participated in two public events in New York City: public television's 'Speakeasy' (reported on separately by BD contributor Jacqueline Bilello here), which was actually recorded for a 2017 broadcast, and AOL's 'Build Series' interview, which was broadcast via live stream on Wednesday and can now be watched here. Although the release of The Early Years anchored both events, the Build Series interview was more focused on that campaign and allowed for audience questions; the Speakeasy show cast a wider net that may fit its broadcast next year more topically.

Our latest report, below, encompasses both events, as a follow-up and companion to Jacqueline's article...

On Monday (November 14th), Nick Mason took part in a conversation with David Fricke, senior editor of Rolling Stone magazine, for the Speakeasy television series - the interview will be aired on PBS in the United States at some point next year. The event took place at the Lincoln Center, in New York City, and Jacqueline Bilello was on hand to report back on it. Our thanks to Jacqueline for this, and for the pictures seen here too.

The interview location at Lincoln Center took place in a very atmospheric penthouse loft with a spectacular view of New York City. David Fricke is known for his articles in Rolling Stone magazine and for conducting one of Kurt Cobain’s final interviews. David's commentary in various rockumenteries, as well as his vast knowledge of rock and roll makes him very suitable, in my opinion, to interview Nick Mason. No further introduction is needed as we all know who Nick Mason is.

We arrived at 7:30p.m. for the 8:00p.m. start time. After exiting the elevator on the 10th floor we were met with strategically placed Pink Floyd photo posters on easels showing Pink Floyd in their various incarnations along with several older publicity shots.

We were politely greeted by various staff members and camera crew, and as we stepped inside there was a small group of approximately 35 to 40 people. It took some time for them to set up their cameras and equipment. We were led to our seats, which were arranged in horseshoe formation around the two interview chairs, which looked like thrones by the way.

As we told you on Friday, this morning Nick Mason visited the AOL BUILD Studio in New York City, to discuss the newly released Pink Floyd: The Early Years 1965-1972 box set, and you can view the interview, with the accompanying Q&A with the audience members (including Brain Damage's own Ed Lopez-Reyes), here:

US public radio station NPR have just published a half-hour interview with Nick Mason about the newly released Pink Floyd The Early Years 1965-1972 box set. They talk with drummer Nick about his years with Pink Floyd — especially those early years that inspired the box set. Nick also plays DJ and picks music he loves that isn't Pink Floyd. They begin by discussing his role in putting this mammoth 27-disc collection together, and you can hear the show in full here:

There's also another interview with Nick, also on public radio, and this lasts for an hour. You can hear it through this link.