How the 2005 Live 8 Pink Floyd Reunion Actually Happened

Bob Geldof didn’t even ask the full band at first. He called David Gilmour, who initially refused — he’d been adamant that Pink Floyd was done. Geldof kept pushing, finally leaning on the charity angle (Make Poverty History) and the fact that the original Live Aid had meant so much to the band’s history. Gilmour eventually agreed on one condition: he wouldn’t have to interact much with Roger Waters. They’d show up, play, and leave.

The rehearsals were tense but businesslike. They booked a small studio in London and ran through a handful of songs — including “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” and “The Happiest Days of Our Lives” — before settling on the final four. “Breathe” and “Money” were straightforward Waters-era staples; “Wish You Were Here” was a compromise everyone could agree on as a tribute to Syd Barrett, and “Comfortably Numb” gave Gilmour and Waters each a signature vocal spotlight. The setlist was specifically built to avoid new material (no post-Waters stuff) and to maximize harmony — literally and figuratively.

The actual performance, for all the backstage tension, became one of the most-watched reunion moments in rock history. It also made them a lot of money — but the band donated every penny to charity, even the £1.5 million they were offered for a full tour afterwards. Gilmour later said the only reason he’d do it again was if someone held a gun to his head, but he admitted the cause was worth the one-off.