01/28/2023
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Pink Floyd – Dark Side Of The Moon laser light show to be presented at the SMSU planetarium:
*Fri February 24th 7 p.m.
*Sat February 25th 7 p.m.
*Mon February 27th (the anniversary date!) 7 p.m.
Admission is $5, tickets are only sold at the door. Arrive early to ensure a good seat! Once the show begins the doors close and no entry is permitted.
On February 27th 1973, EMI Records held a press conference for the debut presentation of Pink Floyd’s new album The Dark Side Of The Moon at the London Planetarium. There was already a buzz throughout the music industry that the album was something very special and invites for London’s press and media were at a premium with there being only so many seats in the planetarium. The group, who were renowned for shunning publicity, were expected to make an appearance given the excitement surrounding the release, which only added to their guests’ anticipation. It was felt the Planetarium as a backdrop for the 42 minute playback was a suitable venue for Britain’s number one ‘psychedelic space rock’ band – a title they disliked and hoped the new record would put an end to that misnomer. Although the Planetarium dome could only show an array of stars, constellations and images of the cosmos while the music played, it probably wouldn’t help to dispel the myth, which didn’t go unnoticed by the members of Pink Floyd. The invitation had a photograph of the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo on the front, which many believed was the album cover, and led to further speculation as to what the enigmatic band was up to now. It was all a deceit.
As the audience faithfully arrived at 3 p.m. sharp they were met not by the band but by four life sized cardboard cut outs of Pink Floyd in defiance to EMI’s wishes for them to attend and in protest at the venue. One member did turn up – Richard Wright the keyboardist – who had not received the message of a boycott. He hastily made a retreat when he realized he was alone. The event was an unmitigated success and the album went on to sell over 50 million copies to date.
Fifty years later in recognition of Pink Floyd’s iconic album, what more fitting a place to celebrate and replay the music set to visuals than a Planetarium. Much water has passed under the bridge since the premiere in 1973 and in retrospect they all agree the brilliance of the band’s non appearance at London’s Planetarium raised more by–lines in the press and accolades for the music than the distraction of their presence to promote the album. Forever anti-establishment and so typical of Pink Floyd’s recipe for success by not kowtowing to the norm and always bucking the system, this attitude was to continue for the rest of their career.
To recognize this great timeless album, the SMSU planetarium will present “Dark Side Of The Moon” set to mesmerizing laser light effects with fog and beams. There is no better way to celebrate this timeless classic than in a comfortable planetarium seat immersed in stunning visual effects that only lasers can provide!