>A spectacular rock concert by Pink Floyd brought the house down at St. Mark’s Square in Venice the other night. Now it threatens to bring down the city government. While the show itself was marred by only a few small incidents, its legacy — mountains of trash, at least one damaged historic monument and dozens of others used as open-air latrines by some 200,000 spectators — has churned up emotions to an angry froth in the delicate lagoon city.
“Even before a note was played, residents were up in arms, saying that the vibrations caused by the music had the potential to cause harm to the ancient monuments. Venice’s clock tower, for example, was completed in 1499, and construction on the bell tower for the St. Mark’s Basilica began in the 9th century.”
I was on the audio crew for the tour. We heard of this complaint and it was put to rest by stating the simple fact that the fireworks concussions planned after the show by the city would be potentially more damaging than anything the show would produce audio wise. Obviously it worked because the show went pretty much as it normally would have.
amletjohn
A few months later, a famous Italian band released a song about this controversal concert. The title was: “oi, ndemo vedare i Pin Floi” (hey, let’s go see the Pink Floyd”).
ancientflowers
Thanks for sharing. I love Pink Floyd, but have never heard of this.
Crowe410
[News article from the time](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/07/19/venice-sees-red-over-pink-floyd/dbee6905-43f0-4a4d-a055-85e1cef51c87/?utm_term=.37a33e6cc853)
>A spectacular rock concert by Pink Floyd brought the house down at St. Mark’s Square in Venice the other night. Now it threatens to bring down the city government. While the show itself was marred by only a few small incidents, its legacy — mountains of trash, at least one damaged historic monument and dozens of others used as open-air latrines by some 200,000 spectators — has churned up emotions to an angry froth in the delicate lagoon city.
VorpalBunny0604
What was the controversy?
OG_Hambone
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/pink-floyd-venice-1989/
fadermango
“Even before a note was played, residents were up in arms, saying that the vibrations caused by the music had the potential to cause harm to the ancient monuments. Venice’s clock tower, for example, was completed in 1499, and construction on the bell tower for the St. Mark’s Basilica began in the 9th century.”
I was on the audio crew for the tour. We heard of this complaint and it was put to rest by stating the simple fact that the fireworks concussions planned after the show by the city would be potentially more damaging than anything the show would produce audio wise. Obviously it worked because the show went pretty much as it normally would have.
amletjohn
A few months later, a famous Italian band released a song about this controversal concert. The title was: “oi, ndemo vedare i Pin Floi” (hey, let’s go see the Pink Floyd”).
Here is the link:
https://youtu.be/Ria-rbE9qTE
They sing in Venetian.
So, even if you speak Italian, you won’t understand a word… yet it has a decent rythm. Enjoy ☺