The Great Gig in the Sky

Zoo Freaks, you're tuned into THE ZOO with the Zoo Crew, spinning the cosmic vibes of Pink Floyd's "The Great Gig in the Sky" from The Dark Side of the Moon. This track is a wild ride, featuring the unforgettable wordless vocals of Clare Torry, who was just 25 when she stepped into Abbey Road Studios on January 21, 1973. Torry, brought in by engineer Alan Parsons, was asked to improvise over Richard Wright's chord progression, thinking about "death and things horrible." She delivered a spine-chilling performance in just a few takes, but get this—she was so embarrassed by her wailing that she apologized to the band afterward, thinking it wouldn't make the cut! Little did she know, her vocals became the soul of the song, voted the second-greatest rock vocal performance by Rolling Stone readers in 2012.

Here's another groovy tidbit: Clare Torry was paid a flat session fee of £30—about £500 today—for her work, as was standard for session singers back then. But in 2004, she sued Pink Floyd and EMI, arguing her contribution deserved co-authorship credit. The case settled out of court in 2005, and now Torry's name is rightfully listed alongside Wright's on the track. Oh, and during the song's quiet middle section, you might catch a faint whisper from a woman nicknamed "Puddy" saying, "I never said I was frightened of dying." That voice belongs to Patricia Watts, wife of the band's road manager, recorded during candid studio chats where the band asked folks like doorman Gerry O'Driscoll about their fears of death to weave into the album's theme of mortality.

Before "The Great Gig in the Sky" got its iconic vocals, it was called "The Mortality Sequence" and featured Richard Wright's organ with snippets of the Bible and speeches by broadcaster Malcolm Muggeridge. The band performed it live in 1972, but it was Torry's studio session that transformed it into the celestial masterpiece we know today. Fun fact: Torry later joined Pink Floyd on stage at Knebworth in 1990, her first live performance with them since 1973, belting out those legendary wails to 120,000 fans. And if you're digging the song's vibe, check out tribute bands like Brit Floyd, who recreate it live with vocalists channeling Torry's magic, or catch covers by acts like The Flaming Lips and Easy Star All-Stars.

Now, let's rewind to how Pink Floyd got their start. Formed in London in 1965, the band began as a psychedelic outfit led by Syd Barrett on guitar and vocals, with Roger Waters on bass, Nick Mason on drums, and Richard Wright on keyboards. They cycled through names like The Tea Set before landing on Pink Floyd, inspired by blues musicians Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Barrett's quirky songwriting fueled early hits like "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play," and their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, dropped in 1967, capturing the height of London's underground scene. But Barrett's heavy LSD use and mental health struggles led to his departure in 1968, with David Gilmour stepping in on guitar. Waters then took the reins as the main lyricist, steering the band toward concept albums like The Dark Side of the Moon, which sold over 45 million copies and cemented their legacy as progressive rock pioneers.

Want to dive deeper into Pink Floyd's world? Visit their official website for the latest news and releases. Connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwback content. Fans, or should we say Zoo Freaks, can join the vibe at The Pink Floyd Fandom, a fan-run site packed with lyrics, reviews, and chats. You can also geek out with fellow freaks in Pink Floyd Fans on Facebook or join the Grantchester Meadows Discord server, a hub for r/pinkfloyd Redditors. Keep spinning those records, Zoo Freaks, and stay tuned for more cosmic grooves!