• 8 years ago
Rick Wright - A Tribute to a Beloved Artist

Richard William "Rick" Wright (28 July 1943 – 15 September 2008) was an English musician, composer, singer and songwriter. He was a founding member, keyboardist and vocalist of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, performing on all of the group's albums, except for The Final Cut, including The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Division Bell, and playing on all of their tours.

Wright grew up in Hatch End, London and met future Pink Floyd bandmates Roger Waters and Nick Mason while studying at the Regent Street Polytechnic. The group found commercial success in 1967 with frontman Syd Barrett before Barrett's instability led to him being replaced by David Gilmour, with Wright taking over songwriting duties with Waters. Initially a straightforward singer / songwriter, Wright later acted as an arranger to Waters and Gilmour's compositions. He began to contribute less towards the end of the 1970s and left the band after touring The Wall in 1981. He rejoined the band as a session player in 1987 for A Momentary Lapse of Reason, and became a full-time member again for The Division Bell in 1994. Sessions with Wright during this period were later released on the album The Endless River. Away from the Floyd, Wright recorded two solo albums, including a collaboration with Anthony Moore on Broken China, and briefly formed the duo Zee. After rejoining Waters, Mason and Gilmour as Pink Floyd for Live 8 in 2005, he became part of Gilmour's regular solo touring band, singing occasional lead on songs such as "Arnold Layne", before his death in September 2008.

Overshadowed by band mates Barrett, Waters and Gilmour and being the quietest and most reserved member of Pink Floyd, Wright's contributions have been overlooked, but his death brought a reappraisal and recognition of his talents. His jazz and improvisation influences and keyboard performances were an important part of the Pink Floyd sound; being a prominent player of the Farfisa and Hammond organs and the Kurzweil synthesizer. Wright sang regularly in the band, and occasionally took the lead vocal on Pink Floyd songs such as "Time", "Remember a Day" and "Wearing the Inside Out".

Category

😹
Fun

Recommended