It's a tough one because Pink Floyd is one of the greatest bands ever, but Rush is what you rocked out to in the 80's.
I love both bands, have many albums and have seen both in concert. For me, this is easy though. Put Pink Floyd up against anybody and I'll pick 'em every time. That's no knock on Rush, who I also love. Floyd is just the best of all time in my little universe. Forgot to add... Rush in concert was awesome, but I think my ears are still ringing from the show I saw like 20 years ago!
I saw Rush mid 70s at the Houston Music Hall, touring Farewell to Kings. One of the best concerts I have ever seen. Not to start a fight (yeah right), but Pink Floyd had way too many "I am pyscho crazy" lyrics for me.
Tough call... love both. What one is known for, the other has done greatly as well. The headphone/live comment is spot on, though I could offer the opposite choice for each by example(s) if I tried. I'd have to say I was and am a bigger Rush fan, but that's not to say I necessarily think they're better... just have always been in the mood to hear that more than Floyd in general. That said, never had a deep desire to see half of Pink Floyd live (and yes, I'm a huge fan of the music, and of Syd Barrett as well) while I've had the opportunity to see Rush probably a dozen times over the years.
I did see Roger Waters last year I believe in Dallas for the "Dark Side of the Moon" played in its entirety tour. That was amazing. And, I saw Rush twice for both legs of the Snakes and Arrows tour. And, I saw Pink Floyd at the Astrodome on the Momentary Lapse of Reason tour. And, I saw Pink Floyd at Texas Stadium for their Division Bell tour. That was was one great show. And, I've seen Rush at least six or seven other times over the years in Houston, Austin, and Dallas. My vote should count at least twenty times.
I know that Pink Floyd is probably the better band, but I'd rather listen to Rush than them straight up. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NRRQY7eF6Q4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NRRQY7eF6Q4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Pink Floyd. My first time to listen to them was at a laser show in the Houston Museum when I was little. Full Dark Side Of The Moon album and I was just blown away. My sisters told me when I was old enough, that I could see The Wall but I lost interest by then. Same deal for The Doors movie which I lost interest then too. The down side to Floyd is they're way too depressing and sometimes way too political for my taste. As my fiancee put it, "Roger Waters should have been a poet." His solo album the Final Cut was amazing though. I guess I have mixed feelings for them but there's no doubting how great they are. I never really was a Rush fan. Geddy Lee's voice doesn't work for me but everything else is alright. My favorite song from them is probably Passage To Bangkok, but I don't listen to them enough to really make that claim definitively.
I respect the immense musical ability of Rush but I just can't handle the singing for more than small doses. I connect with music far more than I do with lyrics or vocals so I can usually overlook something like this, but it's just an aspect of Rush I can't get past. They do have a number of fantastic jams though. Pink Floyd is in my top 15... I love David Gilmour.
