David Gilmour (b. 1946)

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Biography

David Jon Gilmour is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter who is a member of the rock band Pink Floyd. He joined in 1967, shortly before the departure of the founder member Syd Barrett. By the early 1980s, Pink Floyd had become one of the highest-selling and most acclaimed acts in music history. Following the departure of Roger Waters in 1985, Pink Floyd continued under Gilmour's leadership and released the studio albums A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987), The Division Bell (1994) and The Endless River (2014).

In Their Own Words (5)

Usually, in the studio, on this sort of thing ... you just go out and have a play over it, and see what comes, and it's usually — mostly — the first take that's the best one, and you find yourself repeating yourself thereafter.

On guitar solos, in an interview in Time, quoted in Classic Albums: Pink Floyd – The Making of The Dark Side of the Moon (2003) , 2003

Roger doesn't have the right at present to tell me what to do with my life, although he believes that he does. And he'll not ruin my career, although lately he's been trying to.

As quoted in Penthouse (September 1988) , 1988

It is absolutely beautiful, isn't it? And its a sort of over two years before any of the other recordings she did. That is her singing at the age of 16, and having written those extraordinary lyrics — about whatever they're about.

Listening to The Man with the Child in His Eyes , 2014

Where would rock and roll be without feedback?

Dark Side of the Moon Sessions , 1972

We want to spread this message of peace, and we want to raise the morale of the people who are defending their homeland there in Ukraine.

On his inspiration to collaborate with Andriy Khlyvnyuk after seeing his rendition of the 1914 Ukrainian patriotic march "Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow" by adding Pink Floyd musical adaptations to produce the composition "Hey, Hey, Rise Up!" as a means of funding humanitarian relief in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. - Official lyrics video at YouTube: "Hey, Hey, Rise Up" , 2022

Timeline

The story of David Gilmour, told in moments.

1968 Event

Joined Pink Floyd as a second guitarist to cover for Syd Barrett, whose mental health was deteriorating. Barrett was soon out. Gilmour was 21.

What was it like stepping into a band whose founder was losing his mind? Did you feel like a replacement or a rescue?

1973 Event

Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon. Gilmour's guitar solos defined the album's sound. It stayed on the Billboard 200 for 741 consecutive weeks.

How do you write a solo that defines an album? Did 741 weeks on the charts surprise you?

1979 Event

Played the iconic solos on The Wall, including "Comfortably Numb." He and Roger Waters fought bitterly during the sessions. Waters left in 1985.

Was the tension with Roger Waters creative fuel or just poison? Which solo on The Wall means most to you?

1987 Event

Took over Pink Floyd after Waters quit. A Momentary Lapse of Reason went quadruple platinum. Critics were divided. Fans bought tickets.

Was taking over Pink Floyd an act of love or defiance? Did the critics' division bother you?