MGK Celebrates “Dark Side of the Moon” Golden Anniversary
Pink Floyd released Dark Side of the Moon on March 1, 1973. Their most popular album still persists among the best of all time a half century later. 102.9 WMGK…
Pink Floyd released Dark Side of the Moon on March 1, 1973. Their most popular album still persists among the best of all time a half century later.
102.9 WMGK will celebrate the quintessential classic rock album on the 50th anniversary of its release on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 during the John DeBella Show from 5:30am-9am, the Matt Cord Show from 9am-2pm, and the Andre Gardner Show from 2pm-7pm.
Tony Harris will finish off the golden anniversary celebration by playing the album in its entirety at 9pm.
Dark Side of the Moon
Dark Side of the Moon established and cemented Pink Floyd’s reputation as one of highest-profile Rock & Roll bands in history.
It helped them transition away from appealing exclusively to a psychedelic crowd.
Pink Floyd bassist/vocalist Roger Waters, keyboardist/vocalist Rick Wright, guitarist/vocalist David Gilmour, and drummer Nick Mason helped Dark Side of the Moon remain in the Billboard Top 200 for 937 weeks.
The iconic prism spectrum logo is still commonly used in popular culture 50 years after the album’s release.
Concept Album
Pink Floyd popularized the concept album during the 1970s. Successful albums like The Wall (1979), Wish You Were Here (1973), and Animals (1977) all became important parts of their legacy.
The concept of Dark Side of the Moon alludes to two different sides of the world. It includes themes about insanity caused by things that have ruined the world.
The mellow and sometimes spooky tone throughout the album helps create a sense of the magnitude of these concepts that define life like time, money, and death.
One of the most famous concept albums ironically doesn’t have an entirely objective concept. Lyrics from Dark Side of the Moon include many different interpretations, and the debate over its meaning has helped it stay popular 50 years later.
Dark Side of the Moon Tracks
The album includes 10 tracks with no clear-cut single that stands out as the most recognizable.
“Time” begins with the sound of an assortment of clocks ticking. Its lyrics include a message about how some people waste their lives away spending time on meaningless endeavors.
Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way.
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your hometown
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way.
“Money” provides insightful commentary on the root of all evil.
Money, get away.
Get a good job with good pay and you're okay.
Money, it's a gas.
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.
New car, caviar, four star daydream,
Think I'll buy me a football team.
“Great Gig in the Sky” includes one of the most legendary vocal solos in Rock & Roll history with a guest appearance from Claire Torry, a singer who was relatively unknown before the album’s release.
Access 102.9 WMGK through our mobile app to enjoy the station’s golden anniversary tribute to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. Listen for upcoming news about a golden anniversary celebration of an impressive list of classic rock albums released in 1973.
A number of classic albums celebrate their golden anniversary in 2023. Among the artists with LPs turning 50 in New Year are Pink Floyd, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street band and more!
Scroll below to see 33 albums that turn 50 in 2023.
David Bowie - ‘Aladdin Sane’
Released on April 20, 1973.
Pink Floyd - ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’
Released on March 1, 1973.
The Allman Brothers Band - ‘Brothers and Sisters’
Released in August 1973.
The Stooges - ‘Raw Power’
Released on February 7, 1973.
Aerosmith - ‘Aerosmith’
Released on January 5, 1973.
The Who - ‘Quadrophenia’
Released on October 26, 1973.
Stevie Wonder - ‘Innervisions’
Released on August 3, 1973.
Genesis - ‘Selling England by the Pound’
Released in September 1973.
Led Zeppelin - ‘Houses of the Holy’
Released on March 28, 1973.
Alice Cooper - ‘Billion Dollar Babies’
Released on February 25, 1973.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - ‘(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd)’
Released on August 13, 1973.
Rolling Stones - ‘Goats Head Soup’
Released on August 31, 1973.
Elton John - ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’
Released on October 5, 1973.
Steely Dan - ‘Countdown to Ecstasy’
Released in July 1973.
Paul McCartney and Wings - ‘Band on the Run’
Released on December 5, 1973.
Lou Reed - ‘Berlin’
Released on October 5, 1973.
Dr. John - ‘In the Right Place’
Released on February 25, 1973.
Marvin Gaye - ‘Let’s Get It On’
Released on August 28, 1973.
The Doobie Brothers - ‘The Captain and Me’
Released on March 2, 1973.
Paul McCartney and Wings - ‘Red Rose Speedway’
Released on April 30, 1973.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - ‘Brain Salad Surgery’
Released on November 19, 1973.
Elton John - ‘Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player’
Released on January 26, 1973.
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - ‘The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle’
Released on November 5, 1973.
Black Sabbath - ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’
Released in November 1973.
ZZ Top - ‘Tres Hombres’
Released on July 26, 1973.
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - ‘Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.’
Released on January 5, 1973.
John Lennon - ‘Mind Games’
Released on October 29, 1973.
Todd Rundgren - ‘A Wizard, a True Star’
Released on March 2, 1973.
Paul Simon - ‘There Goes Rhymin’ Simon’
Released on May 5, 1973.
Bob Marley and the Wailers - ‘Burnin’
Released on October 19, 1973.
Jackson Browne - ‘For Everyman’
Released in October 1973.
George Harrison - ‘Living in the Material World’
Released on May 30, 1973.
Yes - ‘Tales from Topographic Oceans’
Released on December 7, 1973.
