How Gilmour, Mason, and Wright handled the post-Waters dynamic during 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason'

The most telling detail: Richard Wright wasn’t even a full member when the album started. David Gilmour had already begun writing and recording what he intended as his second solo record. The decision to release it as Pink Floyd was partly business—keeping the name alive meant more tours, more money—but also a statement of survival. Gilmour essentially became the bandleader, calling the shots in the studio, while Nick Mason showed up when he could and Richard Wright was hired back as a salaried session player, not a partner.

That arrangement created a strange emotional temperature. Gilmour later admitted he was frustrated with Mason’s lack of focus—Nick was struggling with divorce and substance issues—so Bob Ezrin brought in session drummers and even programmed some of the parts. Wright, for his part, played keyboards but contributed only one co-write (“Wearing the Inside Out”) for the whole album. He later said it felt weird being paid by the hour to play for a band he’d helped found. Still, everyone seemed to understand that making a new Pink Floyd record without Roger was the only way to move forward. The resulting album sold millions, but the dynamic was less a partnership and more a rescue operation.