Nick Mason

Nick Mason has served as Pink Floyd’s drummer since the band’s formation and remains its sole constant member across every phase of its history. Born Nicholas Berkeley Mason on January 27, 1944 in Birmingham’s Downshire Hills district, he first encountered Roger Waters and Rick Wright during architecture studies at Regent Street Polytechnic. Together they performed in Sigma 6 beginning in 1963, then in the Screaming Abdabs the next year, before joining Syd Barrett’s blues and R&B ensemble in 1965—an outfit that quickly evolved into Pink Floyd.

Although his primary commitment for decades centered on Floyd’s rhythm section, Mason periodically explored outside work. During the 1970s, especially its second half, he produced recordings for progressive artists such as Robert Wyatt, Gong, and Steve Hillage, alongside post-bop jazz figure Michael Mantler and the punk band the Damned. His debut solo album, Fictitious Sports, appeared in 1981; Carla Bley composed its jazz-rock material and contributed keyboards, while Wyatt sang, Mantler played trumpet, and Chris Spedding handled guitar. Mason in turn drummed for Mantler on an intermittent basis through the 1980s, appearing on Something Else (1982) and Live (1987).

He also partnered with former 10cc guitarist Rick Fenn to establish a production company responsible for scores for the film White of the Eye as well as various television and advertising projects. Under the name Mason + Fenn the pair issued the 1985 pop album Profiles, whose single “Lie for a Lie” featured vocals by David Gilmour. With Floyd’s studio and concert activity becoming less frequent, Mason devoted additional time to his longstanding passion for motor racing.

He rejoined Waters for the final pair of dates on the bassist’s 2002 world tour and made occasional guest appearances on later outings. In 2005 Mason participated in the classic Pink Floyd lineup’s brief Live 8 performance in London. Subsequent appearances included the 2012 Olympic Games closing ceremony in London. In 2018 he launched Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, a supergroup assembled to explore Pink Floyd’s early catalog; its members include bassist Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd, David Gilmour), guitarist Lee Harris (Blockheads), vocalist Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet), and keyboardist Dom Beken.