The whole band "Disaster Area" is modeled after Pink Floyd, including their tendency to lavish stage designs. "Hotblack Desiato" (the guitar keyboard player of Disaster Area") is dead for a year for tax-reasons. Prior to publishing the book, Pink Floyd members lived outside UK - for tax reasons.
Some more references: In "Life, the Universe and Everything" Arthur Dent is
learning to fly
As a side-note: Roger Waters (lead guitar player* of Pink Floyd) discussed the
Pros and cons of Hitchhiking
*or more precisely: Bass. (thanks to rjrapson)