40 Intriguing Facts About Nick Mason: The Beat Behind Pink Floyd

Nick Mason Facts: In Pink Floyd, Mason was the only member to be featured on every album and was part of all the band’s line-ups since its formation. His contributions to the band were primarily as a drummer, but he also provided some sound effects and occasionally contributed vocals.

Nick Mason Facts

1. Full Name: His full name is Nicholas Berkeley Mason.
2. Birth: He was born on January 27, 1944.
3. Birthplace: He was born in Birmingham, England.
4. Pink Floyd: He is best known as the drummer of the rock band Pink Floyd, which he co-founded.
5. Consistency: Mason is the only member of Pink Floyd to have appeared on all of the band’s albums.
6. Architecture: Before becoming a full-time musician, Mason was training to be an architect, which is how he met his fellow band members Roger Waters and Richard Wright at the Regent Street Polytechnic.
7. Writing: He wrote a book called “Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd,” which is a memoir of his time in the band.
8. Car Collection: Mason is a major car enthusiast and collector, particularly of classic and exotic sports cars.
9. Racing: He has participated in numerous auto racing events, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
10. Ferrari 250 GTO: One of the most notable cars in his collection is a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, one of the most valuable cars in the world.
11. Solo Work: Mason has also released solo work, including the albums “Nick Mason’s Fictitious Sports” (1981) and “Profiles” (1985).
12. Film Work: He has contributed to film soundtracks, such as for the movie “White of the Eye.”
13. Honors: He was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2019 for his services to music.
14. Family: He has two children from his first marriage to Lindy Rutter and two children from his second marriage to Nettie Mason.
15. Education: He attended Frensham Heights School in Surrey, and later went on to study at the Regent Street Polytechnic.
16. Band Formation: Pink Floyd was formed when Mason along with Roger Waters, Richard Wright and Syd Barrett joined together to form the band initially known as Sigma 6.
17. Music Style: Mason’s drumming style is noted for its idiosyncratic nature during live performances. He often integrates complex fills and unusual time signatures into his drum parts.
18. Automobile Club: Mason is a notable member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club.
19. Charity: He is involved in charity work and has performed in concerts to raise money for charitable causes.
20. Business Interests: Mason owns Ten Tenths, a company through which he manages his classic car collection. The company also sponsors motor sports events.
21. Drumming Style: His style is often characterized by intricate and complex drum fills and patterns.
22. Collaborations: Beyond Pink Floyd, Mason has collaborated with artists like Robert Wyatt and The Orb.
23. Racing Licenses: He holds competition licenses for both cars and aircraft.
24. Aviation Interest: Besides cars, Mason is also interested in aircraft. He has a private pilot’s license.
25. Music Gear: Mason used a diverse range of percussion instruments in Pink Floyd’s music, including timpani, gong, roto-toms, and even a saw blade.
26. Solo Albums: His solo album “Nick Mason’s Fictitious Sports” was actually a collaboration with jazz musician Carla Bley.
27. Porsche 962: He drove a Porsche 962 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
28. Documentary Appearance: Mason appeared in the 2019 documentary “Lamborghini – A Legend’s Legacy,” reflecting on the history of the iconic car brand.
29. Pink Floyd’s Visuals: He had significant influence on the visual and stage elements of Pink Floyd’s performances.
30. London Olympic Games: In 2012, Mason performed at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in London with Ed Sheeran and other members of Pink Floyd.
31. Beatles Connection: In 1967, he and Pink Floyd were photographed by Beatles’ art director Peter Blake, who created the cover for the Beatles’ album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”
32. Travel: He is a keen traveller and has visited many parts of the world both for music and for racing.
33. Music Influences: His influences range from jazz to hard rock, reflecting in the eclectic styles of Pink Floyd’s music.
34. Public Speaking: Mason occasionally gives public talks about his experiences in music and auto racing.
35. Pink Floyd Reunions: He has been involved in all Pink Floyd reunions since the band’s dissolution, including the Live 8 concert in 2005.
36. Continued Music Work: Mason formed a band called “Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets” in 2018 to perform Pink Floyd’s early songs.
37. Audiobook Narration: Mason narrated the audiobook version of his memoir, “Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd.”
38. Music Education Advocacy: He is an advocate for music education and has spoken publicly about its importance.
39. Philanthropy: Mason has participated in a number of charity car events to raise money for causes such as the UK’s ChildLine service.
40. Influence: As a member of one of the most influential rock bands in history, Mason has had a significant impact on the music industry and has inspired countless other musicians.

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