On the Record
Allan Raible's Take on the New Music Worth a Listen.
Allan Raible writes about music and the music industry. He is based in New York.
RECENT POSTS
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
Remembering Pink Floyd’s Richard Wright (1943-2008)
September 15, 2008 6:13 PM
Pink Floyd’s keyboardist, Richard Wright (also known as Rick Wright) has died at the age of 65, reportedly after a battle with cancer. Wright was one of the band’s founding members and his textured work was a very important part of the group’s space-age legacy. His innovative playing helped shape the band’s futuristic and distinctive sound. Take a listen again to the truly state of the art work he did on “On the Run” from 1973’s landmark, “Dark Side of the Moon,” The track obviously embraced a pseudo-techno dynamic before such a practice became fashionable. You can also re-examine his stately, dramatic piano playing on “The Great Gig in the Sky.”
Seen as one of the group’s original sonic architects along with the sadly also now departed Syd Barrett, Wright made his mark early on with his psychedelic, spooky organ playing on the band’s 1967 debut, “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.” By 1977’s “Animals” he was beginning to fade behind the work of Roger Waters and David Gilmour. By 1983’s “The Final Cut,” Wright wasn’t in the band at all. His absence was temporary, though, because he would eventually rejoin the band, playing most recently with Floyd’s core lineup during their 2005 “Live 8” reunion performance.
Like many of the other members of Pink Floyd, Wright also recorded as a solo artist, releasing two albums under his own name. (“Wet Dream” from 1978 and “Broken China” from 1996.)
He may have not been as high profile as Waters or Gilmour, or been heralded as a madcap, misunderstood genius like Barrett, but Richard Wright was an essential part of Pink Floyd. He was a hero to many keyboardists who came after him and he will be missed.
What did Richard Wright’s contribution to Pink Floyd mean to you? Feel free to share your Wright-related, Floyd-ian memories. No doubt this is a sad day for those of us hoping for a full-scale Pink Floyd reunion. It’s a sad day, indeed.
September 15, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (6)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
This is horrible news & is as unwelcome as can be possible. I loved Wright's voice & musicianship & have long held the view that he was a significantly underrated member of the Pink Floyd. I own & enjoy both the solo albums cited above & was looking forward to further solo work from the man.
David Gilmour thought enough of Wright to include him as a keyboardist on his latest solo tour. Take a look at his playing on ECHOES if you want proof of the quality of his musicianship.
Goodbye Richard, I shall mourn the loss of your contribution to music & goodbye to a four man Pink Floyd Reunion in the future unless they invite Bob Kloss to participate.
Posted by: John Davies | Sep 15, 2008 8:59:57 PM
Richard was simply amazing...I saw him and Floyd at London Docklands Arena in the 80's...blew us away...so did the terrific British audience...this guy MUST have know what massively beautiful and important work he did in his lifetime...he passed away on my birthday...had quite a few Guiness Stouts and played the Floyd catalog with much joy and wonder...
Posted by: Jazz | Sep 16, 2008 12:01:42 PM
Interesting to note that one of Pink Floyd's greatest albums "Wish You Were Here" was released on Sept. 15, 1975 as a tribute to Syd Barrett and that 33 years later to the day, Sept. 15, 2008, Pink Floyd keyboardist & founding member, Richard Wright, passed away from cancer at the age of 65.
Posted by: Robert Davis | Sep 16, 2008 6:04:34 PM
He's gone to the 'Great Gig in the Sky'. Thanks for everything, Rick.
Posted by: Denny | Sep 21, 2008 1:50:18 PM
The world lost another icon,but his music will last forever> (RICK WRIGHT IS THE MAN!)
Posted by: jeff | Sep 23, 2008 6:12:54 AM
I feel as though Rick's work on 'Animals' has been rather underappreciated. The playing complemented the overall dark, brooding, sinister atmosphere of the album in my opinion.
Posted by: Mike | Oct 26, 2008 3:27:41 AM
Post a comment
