August 14, 1997 EVIDENCE GROWS IN FAVOR OF A 1998 PINK FLOYD ALBUM AND TOUR The Pink Floyd Timeline News Copyright (c) 1997 by Dave Ward A rumor that Pink Floyd is developing an album and planning a tour for the spring of 1998 is spreading fast. Sources close to David Gilmour have reported that an album is presently in the making, and over eighty dates and venues have been established for a 1998 tour, including dates in Australia. More dates for the tour are still forthcoming. Around 1 August, Australian workers' visas were processed for David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Richard Wright, Guy Pratt, Dick Parry and Margaret Taylor. Their visas will extend from May through July 1998. This is strong evidence that Pink Floyd plans to perform in Australia next spring or early summer. Other reports have supported the talk of a 1998 tour. The Timeline has heard reports that David Gilmour's boat, the _Astoria_, which serves as his studio, was recently cleaned and refurbished, and the studio upgraded. This information comes from an individual who worked on the boat. Various reports from venues have also trickled in occasionally, including a recent report of tenative dates set in California for a 1998 tour. Obviously, this rumor is exciting. The Timeline is working to verify the story. Further news will, of course, appear here as available. The hints of a new Pink Floyd project began late last year. During a 3 December 1996 interview on Toronto radio station Q107, Rick Wright revealed that he believed that Gilmour wants to go back into the studio. Asked about the future of Pink Floyd, Wright replied, "There will be another album, definitely. It's not that we've stopped. I'd be very surprised if we don't do another album and tour within the next few years." "The future of Pink Floyd I think pretty soon will be recording the next album, and out of that a tour would happen," Wright elaborated in another December 1996 interview. "I would not be content that _The Division Bell_ was the final Floyd effort. I would like to see it carry on." Please note that tour dates are NOT available at this time. They will be announced here as soon as they are available.