10 Interesting Nick Mason Facts You Didn’t Know
Known for his steady and creative drumming, Nick Mason‘s contributions played a vital role in shaping Pink Floyd‘s iconic sound. The drummer may not be the most talked-about member of the group, but his life is still filled with fascinating stories that many fans may not know about.
From unexpected hobbies, to little-known political views – here are 10 interesting facts about the man behind the drums!
10 Facts About Nick Mason
1. Nick is the only Pink Floyd member to appear on all albums
Nick Mason holds a unique position in Pink Floyd’s history – he’s the only member to appear on every studio album the band has released.
From their 1967 debut ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ to 2014’s ‘The Endless River’, Mason’s steady and creative drumming has been a constant force in the band’s evolving sound.
2. Mason performed at the 2012 Olympic Games closing ceremony
Nick brought the classic Pink Floyd hit to the global stage during the closing ceremony at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, when he performed ‘Wish You Were Here’ alongside Ed Sheeran, Mike Rutherford of Genesis, and Richard Jones of The Feeling.
3. He got a pilot’s license to overcome his fear of flying
Along with his bandmate David Gilmour, Nick decided to overcome his fear of flying by becoming a licensed pilot.
The two not only conquered their fear of flying, but have become experienced pilots and love to spend their free time in the air flying various aircraft, including helicopters.
His love for aviation even led him to own several aircraft over the years.
4. He has been married twice and has four children
Mason has had a busy personal life alongside his music career.
He married his first wife, Lindy Rutter, in 1969, and they had two children before divorcing. He later married actress Annette Lynton in 1990, with whom he has two more kids.
5. Mason and Roger Waters were flatmates as students
Before they were rock legends, Nick Mason and Roger Waters were just two architecture students sharing a flat in London. They studied at Regent Street Polytechnic (now the University of Westminster).
Their shared living space and mutual love for music laid the groundwork for the band’s formation.
However, they weren’t the only two Pink Floyd members to share an apartment, Richard Wright and Syd Barrett were also roommates at one point.
6. Big car enthusiast and has owned over 40 Ferraris
Besides airplanes and drumming, he also likes cars, especially fast ones.
His car collection is legendary, featuring many rare and historic models worth tens of millions. He has a special fondness for Ferrari and has owned more than 40 of their cars. One of them is the Ferrari 250 GTO which is among the most expensive cars in the world.
7. He is also a car racer and has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Mason isn’t just a car collector – he’s also an accomplished car racer. He has competed in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the toughest endurance races in the world.
Nick is a regular at the Goodwood Festival of Speed where he often displays rare race cars from his collection.
8. Mason is an advocate for the BDS movement
Like his former bandmate Roger Waters, Mason is a vocal supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which advocates for Palestinian rights.
He uses his platform to advocate for political causes he believes in, such as social justice and human rights.
9. He is a honorary citizen of the Italian city of Pompeii
In 2018, the city of Pompeii honored Mason with honorary citizenship. This honor stems from Pink Floyd’s iconic 1971 live performance filmed in Pompeii’s amphitheater, a groundbreaking moment in music history that cemented the band’s innovative spirit.
Decades later, he returned to perform at the ancient amphitheater with his band Saucerful of Secrets.
10. In 2019, Nick was appointed a CBE
In recognition of his contributions to music, Nick Mason was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2019. The award was presented to him by Prince William.
Not bad for a drummer who once shared a flat with Roger Waters!
Final Thoughts
Nick Mason‘s legacy goes far beyond his drumming – his influence in the music world, motorsports, and the car collecting and and aviation communities is undeniable.
The legendary Pink Floyd drummer left his mark in many communities that will surely be remembered by many for decades to come. Perhaps his mark on the music industry will be the most lasting, but his other good deeds shouldn’t be forgotten!