The Guitar Players Club

I thought it appropriate to mention the death of Richard Wright today. In case you don't know, he was one of the founders of the fantastic band, Pink Floyd.

Wright met Roger Waters and Nick Mason in college and he and friend (late) Syd Barrett, joined their band Sigma 6. That band was named Pink Floyd and would make musical history in a big way.

Keyboardist Wright and Barrett were considered the bands dominate musical forces and were probably the main influences for their early psychedelic styled music.

Wright wrote "The Great Gig in the Sky" and "Us and Them" for the 1973 album 'Dark Side of the Moon', which sold 40 million copies. He also worked on "Atom Heart Mother," "Echoes" and "Shine on You Crazy Diamond."

Unfortunately, the tension between Wright, Roger Waters and guitarist band member David Gilmour, caused Gilmour to insist that Wright be fired. Wright was to be only a session musician on the tour of 'The Wall' and didn't perform on 1983's album 'The Final

Cut'. Such a great loss indeed.

Wright did go on to work with Gilmour and Mason again, after Waters left the band in 1985 and released the albums 'The Division Bell' and 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason' as Pink Floyd. Wright also released the solo albums 'Wet Dream' (1978) and 'Broken China' (1996). He had also worked with Dave Harris from the band Fashion and formed the band Zee, releasing one album for Atlantic Records entitled 'Identity'.

Wright, Waters, Mason and Gilmour reunited in 2005 to perform together one last time at the 'Live 8' charity event in London.

Wight also worked on David Gilmour's solo efforts, most recently collaborating on 2006's 'On an Island.'

Gilmour spoke of Wright on Monday saying, 'his input was often forgotten.'

'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.'

I can only add that a giant in the evolution of music has left us. A true genius in music and someone that I can personally add a big 'THANK YOU!!' for the great music.

With Syd Barrett waiting for him in the next world, we can only dream of the band to come.

Shine on You Crazy Diamond(s).

1988 New York photo courtesy of the Associated Press. David Gilmour left, Nick Mason middle and Richard Wright right.

A spokesman for rock group Pink Floyd said Monday, Sept. 15, 2008 that founding member Richard Wright had died after a battle with cancer. He was 65 years old.

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