Pink Floyd Keyboardist Richard Wright Passes Away at 65

Pink Floyd keyboard player and founder member Richard Wright has died aged 65 from cancer.

Wright appeared on the group's first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, in 1967 alongside lead guitarist Syd Barrett, Roger Waters and Nick Mason.

Dave Gilmour joined the band at the start of 1968 while Barrett left the group shortly afterwards.

Wright penned songs on classic albums including Dark Side Of The Moon and Wish You Were Here.

Wright's spokesman said: "The family of Richard Wright, founder member of Pink Floyd, announce with great sadness that Richard died today after a short struggle with cancer.

"The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time."

Source:

BBC

More coverage:

Google News

Statement from Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour:

Quote:"No one can replace Richard Wright. He was my musical partner and my friend.

In the welter of arguments about who or what was Pink Floyd, Rick's enormous input was frequently forgotten.

He was gentle, unassuming and private but his soulful voice and playing were vital, magical components of our most recognised Pink Floyd sound.

I have never played with anyone quite like him. The blend of his and my voices and our musical telepathy reached their first major flowering in 1971 on 'Echoes'. In my view all the greatest PF moments are the ones where he is in full flow. After all, without 'Us and Them' and 'The Great Gig In The Sky', both of which he wrote, what would 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' have been? Without his quiet touch the Album 'Wish You Were Here' would not quite have worked.

In our middle years, for many reasons he lost his way for a while, but in the early Nineties, with 'The Division Bell', his vitality, spark and humour returned to him and then the audience reaction to his appearances on my tour in 2006 was hugely uplifting and it's a mark of his modesty that those standing ovations came as a huge surprise to him, (though not to the rest of us).

Like Rick, I don't find it easy to express my feelings in words, but I loved him and will miss him enormously."

R. I. P. Probably the coolest keyboardist ever, I hope he enjoys the great gig with Hendrix, Lennon, Syd et al.

some of the saddest news i've heard in a long time. he will be missed

REALLY AWFUL NEWS.

I am so sorry to hear this news - my thoughts and wishes go out to Richard's family. He will be sorely missed.

Shocking news, rest in peace.

Wow, this is unbelievable. I had no idea he had cancer. This is very sad news. I saw him during the 2nd Royal Albert Hall show in London, during Gilmour's On An Island Tour. He was absolutely magnificent. I remember being particularly impressed with his almost note-for-note perfection on Great Gig in the Sky. He will be forever missed.

I wish his family and friends well at this unfortunate time.

Just heard on the radio. I`m shocked.

hawkwinds keyboard player died last monday now this:( happy dreams richard, love ya forever

am gUTTED.r.i.p. MR Wright.Loved ya sound, now its the great gig in the sky.my love to family,he was[is]a legend.