Remembering the Pink Floyd founding member and keyboardist Richard Wright
The legendary musician was born on this day in 1943
Remembering the Pink Floyd founding member and keyboardist Richard Wright
Richard William Wright was born on July 28, 1943, in Hatch End, Middlesex, England. He grew up in a musical household and began playing the piano at a young age. Wright’s formal music education included a stint at the Regent Street Polytechnic, where he met future Pink Floyd members Roger Waters and Nick Mason. This meeting would set the stage for the formation of one of the most influential rock bands in history.
In 1965, Wright, along with Waters, Mason, and Syd Barrett, formed Pink Floyd. Initially, the band was part of the London underground music scene, known for their psychedelic sound and innovative light shows. Wright’s keyboard work became a defining feature of the band’s early sound, characterized by its atmospheric and experimental qualities.
Pink Floyd’s breakthrough came with the release of “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” (1967), which showcased Wright’s keyboard skills and musical experimentation. However, it was the departure of Syd Barrett and the arrival of David Gilmour that marked a new era for the band. Wright’s contributions became even more significant as the band moved towards a more progressive rock sound.
Throughout the 1970s, Wright played a pivotal role in Pink Floyd’s success and his innovative use of keyboards and synthesizers helped define the sound of progressive rock and influenced countless musicians. Albums like “The Dark Side of the Moon” (1973), “Wish You Were Here” (1975), and “Animals” (1977) featured Wright’s distinctive keyboard textures and compositions. His contributions to songs like “The Great Gig in the Sky” and “Us and Them” were essential to the band’s sound, blending seamlessly with the thematic elements of their work.
Tensions within the band during the recording of “The Wall” (1979) led to Wright being fired by Waters, though he remained as a session musician for the subsequent tour. Wright’s departure from Pink Floyd was formalized after the release of “The Final Cut” (1983).
In the mid-1980s, Wright embarked on a solo career, releasing the albums “Wet Dream” (1978) and “Identity” (1984), the latter under the name Zee, a collaboration with Dave Harris. His solo work, though not commercially successful, showcased his talent as a songwriter and musician.
Wright rejoined Pink Floyd after Waters’ departure, contributing to the albums “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” (1987) and “The Division Bell” (1994). He also participated in the band’s tours and their final studio album, “The Endless River” (2014), which featured posthumous contributions.
Wright was married three times and had three children. His personal life was marked by periods of turbulence, particularly during the height of Pink Floyd’s fame.
Richard Wright passed away on September 15, 2008, at the age of 65. He died at his home in London, England, after a battle with cancer. Wright’s death was a significant loss to the music world, as his contributions to Pink Floyd were instrumental in shaping the band’s sound and success.
Look back at Pink Floyd performing “Paint Box” in 1968 featuring Richard Wright on lead vocals
Watch Richard Wright performing Pink Floyd’s “Echoes” with David Gilmour live in 2006
Watch more music related videos
Images and photographs can be from different ranges of sources such as Pinterest, Tumblr etc. except when/where noted. If you are the copyright holder and would like them removed or credited, please get in touch.
