Pink Floyd is like a marriage that's on a permanent trial separation.

The quote, "Pink Floyd is like a marriage that's on a permanent trial separation", by Rick Wright, reflects the band's complex and often tumultuous relationship among its members, particularly as they went through various creative and personal differences over the years. The comparison to a marriage highlights the deep emotional and professional connections between the band members, but the mention of a permanent trial separation suggests that, while they remained professionally linked, their internal dynamics were strained and distant. This metaphor captures both the emotional bond and the ongoing tension that marked Pink Floyd’s later years.

Rick Wright, the band’s keyboardist and a key member, likely referred to the tensions that arose between bandmates during the making of some of their most famous albums, like The Wall and Animals. Over time, personal conflicts between Roger Waters and other band members, especially Wright and David Gilmour, became well-known. These conflicts eventually led to Wright's departure from the band during the recording of The Wall, although he returned for later projects.

The quote may also be referencing the ongoing musical separation that began to define Pink Floyd after the 1970s, as the band members started to pursue individual projects. While they occasionally came together to create new music, their collaboration was never quite the same, mirroring a relationship that, despite not being fully broken, had long been without reconciliation.

In the context of this metaphor, the trial separation could also symbolize the band's extended periods of hiatus and absence, such as during the making of solo albums or after the departure of Waters in the early '80s. Despite this, Pink Floyd’s legacy continued to thrive, much like a marriage that, though fractured, retains the foundational connection of its past.