Ian Emes, Director For Pink Floyd and Paul McCartney Dies At 73

Ian Emes, a British filmmaker and artist who worked with well-known artists including Paul and Linda McCartney, Pink Floyd, and Duran Duran, has died at the age of 73. His death’s precise cause is still a mystery.

Pink Floyd, one of the legendary bands Emes collaborated with, shared their heartfelt condolences to Emes’ family and friends in a touching post on their social media platform. This simple gesture is a testament to the profound impact Emes had on the music industry and the deep bond formed between the artist and the band.

Emes received his training at the Birmingham College of Art. In 1972, he created an animated film called French Windows set to the music of Pink Floyd’s “One of These Days,” which was showcased on the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test. Rick Wright, the keyboardist for Pink Floyd, contacted Emes following his viewing of the movie.

In a 2010 interview with the Birmingham Post, Emes recalled:

“Pink Floyd contacted me! They were my gods and they wanted to see me. I thought I had done something wrong initially. I thought they wanted to tell me off. I rented a preview theater in London’s Wardour Street and all four of them arrived. We ran the film.”

Pink Floyd admired his work, so they asked Emes to make animations for three of their songs: “Speak to Me,” “Time,” and “On the Run” from their famous album, The Dark Side of the Moon.

In the 1970s, Emes also made a film to go along with Linda McCartney’s song, “The Oriental Nightfish.” He recalled getting drunk on whisky, turning the music up loud, and lying on his back in the living room, which inspired him to create a unique concept involving alien forces and a Gothic Expressionistic Wurlitzer played by someone resembling Linda.

In 1982, Emes worked on a film for Duran Duran’s song, “The Chauffeur.” The band’s keyboardist, Nick Rhodes, was impressed with the result, saying it surpassed their expectations and added a whole new dimension to the music.

Most recently, Emes got the chance to produce a compelling 55-minute film to go along with Pink Floyd’s 2019 album, The Endless River. For Pink Floyd fans, the album was a noteworthy release since it included never-before-heard songs and old recordings.

For this film project, Emes took inspiration from the music itself and worked closely with the band to understand their vision and emotions behind the songs.