Monday January 31st saw the 2005 Total Production International awards, at the Novotel London West hotel in London, which featured a number of past and present Pink Floyd employees and facilities getting recognition and thanks.

Of prime interest was the award made to Phil Taylor by David Gilmour himself, pictured here exclusively, alongside Mark Cunningham, Editor of TPI. The appearance of David was kept extremely quiet before the event, so that the surprise for Phil was not spoilt.

Here's the citation Mark Cunningham made for Phil, for the Editor's Award:

"This award is presented to Phil in acknowledgment of his 30 years of loyal service to one of the world's greatest and most technically demanding bands.

"There are few professionals in this business who can claim such a long, uninterrupted association with a band or artist as Phil. It was in the summer of 1974 that Phil began a 30-year career with Pink Floyd, arranging and attending rehearsals at Unit Studios in King's Cross, London for the band, during which they wrote new material for their upcoming tour. One of the pieces to come out of these sessions developed into one of their all-time classics: "Shine On You Crazy Diamond".

"Phil became their Head of Backline Crew and the man singularly responsible both live and in the studio for all of Pink Floyd's/David Gilmour's equipment and instruments. He has also dealt with the technical infrastructure of the live Pink Floyd/David Gilmour sound, along with constructing David's highly acclaimed Astoria studio on the River Thames, where Phil manages the day-to-day business."

David Gilmour joined Mark on stage to present the award (shown here and below) and talked of how indebted he is to Phil Taylor for always being there, and for being such a vital person in the Floyd camp for so long, and that he was delighted to be given this opportunity to publicly thank him for his long standing contribution.

Other Floyd-related awards presented during the event included the Lifetime Contribution Award to Mick Kluczynski. Mick joined the sound crew in late 1971, with his first show being the Brighton Dome 20 January 1972, premiering Dark Side Of The Moon. By 1975 he was taking a more supervisory role and managing the touring requirements of the band (trucking, paperwork, load-ins, etc.) and also handled the effects tapes on tour. In 1977 he became production manager, and worked at Britannia Row until 1979, when he formed his own production company.

Set Designer Of The Year was given to Mark Fisher, who first worked with Pink Floyd in 1975, up until the 1981 Wall shows. Then, he worked on Roger Waters' solo tours (and the 1990 Berlin show), the Floyd 1990 Knebworth show, and the 1994 Floyd Division Bell tour.

Finally, Britannia Row Productions won the Favourite Sound Rental Company. Formed in 1975 to rent out expensive equipment when the Floyd weren't using it on the road, it was purchased from the band in 1984 by Robbie Williams and Bryan Grant.