Frequently
Asked Questions
The following is a list of frequently
asked questions about the book, Comfortably Numb-A History of “The Wall.”
Q: How many copies of the deluxe limited
edition of the book were printed, and where can I buy a copy?
A: Only 5,000 copies of the deluxe edition of the book were
printed, and quite a few copies are being kept by the authors, and given to
other parties. The remaining copies are available for purchase by the public on
a first come/first serve basis. Each copy is numbered, so the sooner you buy a
copy, the lower a number you will receive. This deluxe version of the book will
not be reprinted, so once it sells out, it will be gone. This book will
certainly become a collectors’ item, and the price is expected to appreciate.
Copies of the book can be purchased
directly from the publisher PFA Publishing, Inc. at www.PFApublishing.com.
Q: How long did it take to write this
book, and what research methods were used in researching the history of The
Wall?
A: This book is the culmination of a research project
undertaken by Vernon Fitch and Richard Mahon that took over ten years to
complete. It began with an examination of every bit of information previously
in existence about The Wall, in books, magazines, radio interviews, etc. After
sorting through all of the existing information, the process of verification
began, and missing parts of the story were then researched and filled in.
Attempts were made to contact nearly everyone involved in the history of The
Wall. More often than expected, information that had been previously taken for
granted as fact proved to be wrong. By discussing every facet of The Wall story
with the actual people that participated in the project, this history of The
Wall was written.
Q: Who are some of the people that
contributed to the information included in the book?
A: The number of people who were involved in the writing of
this book is quite amazing. Nearly everyone who participated in the Wall album
and Wall stage shows were contacted, and most people were enthusiastic about
talking about what was, in many cases, a life changing event for them.
Gerald Scarfe, the artist who worked with Roger Waters
in developing The Wall story and created the animated films that were projected
on The Wall during the concerts, explained exactly how The Wall evolved. Scarfe
clarified many parts of the history of The Wall for this book.
James Guthrie, one of the Wall album
producers/engineers, and chief sound mixer for The Wall concerts, spent a great
deal of time discussing both the recording of The Wall album and the Wall
concerts with Vernon Fitch. Guthrie, who played an integral part in the history
of The Wall, contributed significant pieces of information that now appear for
the first time in this book.
Bob Ezrin, the hall-of-fame producer who helped to
co-produce The Wall album, generously volunteered to answer any questions about
The Wall sessions. Ezrin helped to piece together the story of the Wall album,
and proved vital in helping to document recording sessions that none of the
other producers or band members attended.
Mark Fisher, the stage designer who helped construct
The Wall for live performances contributed detailed information to the book.
Fisher reviewed an early draft of the chapter on preparing to stage The Wall
live, made numerous corrections and clarifications, and added technical details
that had never been revealed before.
Phil Taylor, Pink Floyd’s equipment chief, who was
in charge of all the equipment for The Wall recording sessions and who designed
the equipment setup for The Wall concerts, added unique information about all
the sessions. Both Taylor and Guthrie worked together with Vernon Fitch over
the course of a year to put together, for the first time ever, listings of the
equipment used for the recording of the Wall album, and the equipment used to
perform The Wall concerts. This is one
of many exclusive sections of the book.
These are just a few examples of the
numerous contributions made to this book by people who were directly involved
in the history of The Wall.
Q: Did Roger Waters participate in the
writing of this book?
A: No. This is not Roger Waters’ version of The Wall story.
This book is an independently researched account of the history of The Wall.
Roger Waters was notified of the writing of this book, and was sent drafts of
the book as work progressed. Certain parts of the book were changed at Waters’
request, and Waters did contribute to the book by granting permission to print
the lyrics that are sung on The Wall album. But Waters did not participate in the
writing of this book.
Q: Did David Gilmour provide information
about The Wall for this book?
A: Yes. David Gilmour researched The Wall studio sessions
exclusively for this book. There had never been any accurate credits published
as to who played on each song on The Wall album. Gilmour was the musical
director for The Wall, and he, together with James Guthrie, compiled a list of
who played every instrument on each song. Gilmour’s Wall album credits can be
found in Chapter 3 of this book.
Q: Is The Wall movie included in this
book?
A: No. The Wall movie will be covered in a separate book
published by PFA Publishing in 2010. There was too much information to include
a history of The Wall movie in The Comfortably Numb book. It would have made
the book just too large. By keeping The Wall movie as a separate book, the making
of the movie will be covered in greater detail. Additionally, a book covering
the history of The Final Cut album, which will be a fascinating look at Pink
Floyd history from 1982-1983, will also be published following The Wall movie
book.
Q: Is the Comfortably Numb book a
paperback or hardcover book?
A: Comfortably Numb-A History
of “The Wall” is a
deluxe hardcover book with a glossy black cover. It features a beautiful
full-color dust jacket, black end leaves, a Smythe sewn binding, and glossy
full-color pages throughout. It also includes over 400 full-color pictures
throughout the book.
Q: What are the rare and previously
unpublished photographs that are featured in the book?
A: In researching the history of The Wall, people who were
interviewed for this book were asked if they had any photographs that were
taken during The Wall period. In so doing, many rare photographs that had
resided only in personal photo collections were unearthed. These include
pre-production drawings that were done for The Wall stage shows, photographs of
Super Bear Studios during The Wall recording sessions, pictures of the mixing
desk and sound equipment during The Wall concerts, sketches of equipment
layouts, photos of The Wall stage shows, etc., etc. These are just a few
examples of the rare pictures that are published for the first time in this
book. You will certainly be amazed by what you will see in it.
