Nick Mason is best known as the drummer of Pink Floyd, one of the most creative and influential rock bands of all time. While many people recognize him for his steady and unique drumming style, fewer know that Mason is also a deep and thoughtful music listener. His taste in music goes far beyond rock and shows how wide his musical mind really is.
In a recent discussion shared online, Nick Mason talked about the five albums that influenced him the most. These albums helped shape how he thinks about rhythm, songwriting, and musical feeling. What makes this list special is how diverse it is — it includes folk, jazz, psychedelic rock, and modern songwriting. Let’s explore these albums in a simple way and understand why they matter to him.
Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
Nick Mason has said that Bob Dylan is one of the greatest songwriters in rock music history. The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, released in 1963, is full of powerful lyrics and simple acoustic sounds. Songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind” became anthems for change and freedom.
For Mason, this album showed that music does not need to be loud or complex to be meaningful. Dylan’s words tell stories, ask questions, and express emotions in a very honest way. This helped Mason understand how strong songwriting can leave a lasting impact, even with minimal instruments.
Jimi Hendrix – Axis: Bold as Love
Jimi Hendrix’s Axis: Bold as Love is a colorful and creative psychedelic rock album. Nick Mason admires Hendrix not only for his guitar skills but also for the overall sound and imagination of the record.
One important reason Mason loves this album is the drumming of Mitch Mitchell, who mixed jazz and rock in a very energetic way. As a drummer, Mason found this inspiring. The album showed him that rhythm could be expressive, playful, and experimental — ideas that later became important in Pink Floyd’s music.
Thelonious Monk – The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall
This album comes from the world of jazz and shows Nick Mason’s love for rhythm beyond rock music. Thelonious Monk was known for his unusual timing and bold piano style.
Mason has described Monk’s music as a lesson in timing and percussion. Even though Monk played piano, his sense of rhythm was very strong. This album helped Mason understand that rhythm is not just about drums — it’s about how every instrument works together, including silence and space.
Miles Davis – Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson by Miles Davis is a jazz album with strong grooves and a powerful sense of flow. Nick Mason has called it one of the greatest groove albums ever made.
The music on this record feels loose but controlled at the same time. It showed Mason how musicians can communicate through rhythm without needing complicated structures. This idea influenced how Pink Floyd created long, flowing tracks where rhythm slowly builds and evolves.
Bruce Hornsby and The Range – Halcyon Days
The final album on Mason’s list is Halcyon Days by Bruce Hornsby and The Range. This choice shows that Mason also values emotional songwriting and musical warmth.
He appreciates Hornsby’s piano playing and the band’s ability to mix different styles smoothly. The album feels personal and expressive, something Mason connects with deeply as a musician.
More Than Just a Drummer
Nick Mason’s favorite albums show that he is not just a rock drummer, but a curator of rhythm and feeling. His influences come from many genres, proving that great music does not belong to just one style.
These albums helped shape Mason’s open-minded approach to music and played a role in making Pink Floyd sound so unique. For fans and music lovers, his list is a reminder to listen widely, stay curious, and appreciate rhythm in all its forms. 🎶