So Sad: Nick Mason Confirmed Dead This Morning London, UK — July 15, 2025In a heartbreaking development for the global music community, Nick Mason, the legendary drummer and founding member of Pink Floyd, was confirmed dead this morning. He was 81.
Mason’s family released a brief statement just after 8:00 AM local time, saying, “It is with deep sorrow that we confirm the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Nicholas Berkeley Mason. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in London. He was surrounded by loved ones. We ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Born on January 27, 1944, in Birmingham, England, Mason rose to global prominence in the late 1960s as the rhythmic heartbeat of Pink Floyd—a band that would become one of the most influential and experimental acts in rock history. He was the only member to appear on every single Pink Floyd album, from their psychedelic debut The Piper at the Gates of Dawn to their ambient swan song The Endless River.
Pink Floyd fans and fellow musicians around the world have flooded social media with tributes. David Gilmour, Pink Floyd’s longtime guitarist and vocalist, shared a simple black-and-white photo of Mason on Instagram with the caption, “A brother in sound. I am devastated.”
Roger Waters, co-founder and bassist of the band, who had famously rocky relations with his bandmates over the decades, wrote on his website: “We had our differences, but none of that matters now. Nick was the anchor, the diplomat, the soul of Pink Floyd. I will miss him deeply.”
Though Mason rarely stepped into the spotlight compared to his bandmates, his contributions were undeniable. His steady yet inventive drumming style defined Floyd’s sprawling sonic landscapes, from the heartbeat in “Speak to Me” to the thundering precision of “Time.”
Beyond music, Mason had a passion for motorsport. An avid car collector and racing enthusiast, he owned one of the world’s most famous collections of vintage Ferraris, Aston Martins, and Maseratis. His book Into the Red chronicled his deep love for fast machines and detailed his adventures behind the wheel of some of history’s rarest race cars.
In recent years, Mason formed the band Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, performing early Pink Floyd material to sold-out venues around the world. Critics and fans alike praised the band for breathing new life into classics like “Astronomy Domine” and “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun.” His final performance was in May 2025 at the Royal Albert Hall—now regarded as a poignant farewell.
News of Mason’s death sparked global mourning. Outside Abbey Road Studios in London, fans began gathering as early as 10 AM, placing candles, flowers, and handwritten notes by the iconic crosswalk. “He was more than a drummer,” said 34-year-old fan Olivia Marks. “He was the pulse of a generation.”
Tributes also poured in from outside the music world. Legendary director Martin Scorsese called Mason’s work “cinematic.” NASA’s official X account referenced the band’s classic The Dark Side of the Moon, posting: “The great gig in the sky has a new beat today. Rest easy, Nick Mason.”
Despite Pink Floyd’s internal tensions and long hiatuses, Mason was often seen as the glue that held the band together. Calm, thoughtful, and deeply committed to the legacy of the music, he remained the most publicly neutral and often the most beloved member among fans.
Nick Mason is survived by his wife Annette, their children, and several grandchildren. Funeral details have not yet been announced, but the family has confirmed a public memorial is being planned to celebrate his life and legacy.
As tributes continue to flow in from around the world, one thing is certain: the rhythm Nick Mason gave to music, to Pink Floyd, and to millions of lives will never be forgotten.
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