R.I.P. Pink Floyd's Rick Wright
Photo by Anna Wloch
Pink Floyd founding member Richard "Rick" Wright passed away today (September 15) "after a short struggle with cancer," according to a statement posted on David Gilmour's website. He was 65.
Wright served in early incarnations of the band and was a part of Pink Floyd when the outfit first emerged under that moniker in 1965. He primarily worked as a keyboardist, though he also contributed vocals and has numerous songwriting credits on a number of Pink Floyd's records, including Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here.
Wright continued with the band through the 1980s and into the 90s, and he penned songs and even sang a lead vocal on the final Pink Floyd studio album, 1994's The Division Bell. He was also on hand when Pink Floyd reunited to play Live 8 in 2005, and he performed live with David Gilmour in recent years.
Though best known for his work with Pink Floyd, Wright released a pair of solo albums as well-- 1978's Wet Dream and 1996's Broken China-- and one record (1984's Identity) with Dave Harris of new wave act Fashiøn under the Zee banner.
As noted in today's statement, Wright's "family have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time."
Pink Floyd: "Time" (live in London, 1994)
Pink Floyd: "Wish You Were Here" (live at Live 8, 2005)
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