Richard Wright, keyboardist and founding member of Pink Floyd died of cancer today at 65.
Wright met Pink Floyd members Roger Waters and Nick Mason in college and joined their early band, Sigma 6. Along with the late (and insane) Syd Barrett, the four formed Pink Floyd in 1965. In the early days, Wright, along with Barrett, was seen as the group's dominant musical force. "Rick's keyboards were an integral park of the Pink Floyd sound," said Joe Boyd, a producer who worked with Pink Floyd early in its career. David Gilmour joined the band, and Barrett was soon out as a result of his drug induced psychosis.
Tensions grew among Waters, Wright and Gilmour over the years and came to a head during the making of "The Wall" when Waters insisted Wright be fired. As a result, Wright was relegated to the status of session musician on the tour of "The Wall," and did not perform on Water's last album with the band, "The Final Cut." When Waters left in 1985, Wright began recording with Mason and Gilmour again, and the band released two more albums. The last performance of Pink Floyd was at the 2005 "Live 8" charity concert, and the first time in 25 years they had been onstage together with Waters.
Gilmour noted, "He was gentle, unassuming and private but his soulful voice and playing were vital, magical components of our most recognized Pink Floyd sound," he said. "I have never played with anyone quite like him."
Wright met Pink Floyd members Roger Waters and Nick Mason in college and joined their early band, Sigma 6. Along with the late (and insane) Syd Barrett, the four formed Pink Floyd in 1965. In the early days, Wright, along with Barrett, was seen as the group's dominant musical force. "Rick's keyboards were an integral park of the Pink Floyd sound," said Joe Boyd, a producer who worked with Pink Floyd early in its career. David Gilmour joined the band, and Barrett was soon out as a result of his drug induced psychosis.
Tensions grew among Waters, Wright and Gilmour over the years and came to a head during the making of "The Wall" when Waters insisted Wright be fired. As a result, Wright was relegated to the status of session musician on the tour of "The Wall," and did not perform on Water's last album with the band, "The Final Cut." When Waters left in 1985, Wright began recording with Mason and Gilmour again, and the band released two more albums. The last performance of Pink Floyd was at the 2005 "Live 8" charity concert, and the first time in 25 years they had been onstage together with Waters.
Gilmour noted, "He was gentle, unassuming and private but his soulful voice and playing were vital, magical components of our most recognized Pink Floyd sound," he said. "I have never played with anyone quite like him."
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