In this morning's UK Times newspaper, the Saturday Review section has a major article by top music writer Mark Ellen about the band on the occasion of their 50th anniversary, and includes an interview with Roger Waters and Nick Mason.

The interview ties in with the news that a commemorative plaque - noting that "Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Richard Wright studied and formed the band here" - is to be installed outside the University of Westminster (formerly the Regent Street Polytechnic) on the pillar to the right of the Regent Street Cinema entrance door. Thus suggests Nick, with a smile, "We now appear to belong to the National Trust. It's nice to think of Pink Floyd being recognised alongside Dickens and Tennyson. We're historical figures now, a curious piece of English history."

The article gives a fascinating look, through the eyes of Roger and Nick, at the early days of the band - from its earliest point as the various musicians drifted in and out of the line-ups, through to the final line-up which lead to the EMI recording contract.

Elsewhere, Roger rails against the rise of digital music, particularly illegal downloads. "I blame the punters as well to some extent, a whole generation that’s grown up who believe that music should be free," he said. "I mean why not make everything free? Then you could walk into a shop and say ‘I like that television’ and you walk out with it. No! Somebody made that and you have to buy it! ‘Oh, I’ll just pick up few apples.’ No! Some farmer grew those and brought them here to be sold!" He also reveals some of the lyrics to the long lost Walk With Me Sydney - but calls the song "appalling" so don't expect it to be released any time soon!

The interviews are online in full on the Times website but to read them a digital subscription is required.