Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright died of cancer today at 65, according to Reuters:
“The family of Richard Wright, founder member of Pink Floyd, announce with great sadness, that Richard died today after a short struggle with cancer,” his spokesman said in a statement.
“The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.”
My condolences to Richard’s family and friends. For what it’s worth, “Wish You Were Here” is one of my top favorite albums of all time.
Thanks to the surprising amount of Floyd fans who wrote in. Nice to know a decent chunk of you out there listen to good music. Rest in Peace, Rick.
Photo: The Richard Wright Archives
Ryan | September 15, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Who?
Sean | September 15, 2008 at 3:02 pm
first. R.I.P. man
Dude | September 15, 2008 at 3:03 pm
first
Dude | September 15, 2008 at 3:03 pm
first
ali | September 15, 2008 at 3:03 pm
whip out the shrooms and acid, this is gonna be one hell of a trip.
Brett | September 15, 2008 at 3:04 pm
RIP
veggi | September 15, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I just rented Wizard of Oz.. Time to put the music to it again..
Erin... | September 15, 2008 at 3:06 pm
“Wish You Were Here” is one of my favorite albums, too. :-/ Guess this nixes any chance of an official reunion tour.
Welcome, my friend… welcome to the machine.
Sabina | September 15, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Oh, man… My condolences. My mom and dad loved listening to Pink Floyd and I also like to put on their albums for a retro hit.
Thanks man for taking music into the right direction and for being an idol for a whole generation.
OC Dee | September 15, 2008 at 3:08 pm
#5 and #7 are funny comments!
I Hope Richard has a great journey where ever this may be.
havoc | September 15, 2008 at 3:09 pm
RIP
.
Kim | September 15, 2008 at 3:12 pm
#1, you are an idiot! You’ve never heard of Pink Floyd?!?! What are you 5?
They are WAY before my time, but are still one of my favorite bands! I was fortunate to see them in Foxboro, MA in 1994. Great Show.
Favorite song is “Time” . The lyrics mean more to me now that I’m grown up.
rough daddy | September 15, 2008 at 3:18 pm
what kind of cancer?
Ryan | September 15, 2008 at 3:19 pm
It was meant as a joke. The only thing 5 on me, unfortunately, is my phallus. I came here to NOT take things seriously. So he’s dead, everyone dies. I am sure he lived well and had a decent life…he had the ca$h….now someone else has it….
RIP | September 15, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Did they get you to trade your heros for ghosts.
a Floydian | September 15, 2008 at 3:23 pm
RIP
Awesome live performances. N.O. Superdome, Texas Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium. “Floydians” traveled the country to see the best musicians of the era.
Present were grey haired fans with ther children as well as young fans.
RIP
luvsydb | September 15, 2008 at 3:25 pm
so sad.. a rock legend gone. richard sang alot of the early floyd stuff he had a good voice just listen to echos. richard, you and syd are in the great gig in the sky!!
fan | September 15, 2008 at 3:25 pm
RIP Mr. Wright.
#1, you should be ashamed of yourself.
glace neuf | September 15, 2008 at 3:33 pm
How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We’re just two lost ghosts, reading Superfish posts, year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have you found? Just Britney Spears.
Wish you were here.
CMYK-Josh | September 15, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I took a date to a Pink Floyd concert in 1987 or 8. I don’t remember much about the concert (see #5) but I did wind up married to the girl many years later. I kid you not, my Dad used to play Dark Side of the Moon on an 8-track player when I was a kid. The first vinyl album I bought with my own money was The Wall (sure wish I still had that). I’ve spent my whole life listening to ‘Floyd. This kind of makes Monday that much shittier.
CMYK-Josh | September 15, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I took a date to a Pink Floyd concert in 1987 or 8. I don’t remember much about the concert (see #5) but I did wind up married to the girl many years later. I kid you not, my Dad used to play Dark Side of the Moon on an 8-track player when I was a kid. The first vinyl album I bought with my own money was The Wall (sure wish I still had that). I’ve spent my whole life listening to ‘Floyd. This kind of makes Monday that much shittier.
Elmo | September 15, 2008 at 3:38 pm
NOOO!
D:
that just ruined my whole week! R.I.P, man
Pokey McSlapp | September 15, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Very sad news indeed. Saw Roger Waters in concert this year in Denver, and then again in London. Really held out some hope that the four of them might get together again for one last show, but I guess it just wasn’t in the cards.
No band can ever compare to the magic of Pink Floyd–absolutely untouchable!
Randal | September 15, 2008 at 3:44 pm
A legend from a legendary band. You will be dearly missed and remembered for the sounds you created on Pink Floyd albums. By far, your best work was on High Hopes, possibly the top of any Pink Floyd album.
Here’s to you, Rick!
Randal
jesus | September 15, 2008 at 3:51 pm
the worst thing about this is that now the radio stations are going to play their gay music till our ears bleed.
Big Man Pig Man | September 15, 2008 at 3:51 pm
You will be missed! Pink Floyd best band ever.
lemmy axe you a mofo qwershtun | September 15, 2008 at 3:51 pm
It’s funny how the asswipe “musicians” of today can’t play the guitar, piano, keyboard, drums, saxophone or anything that requires some level of skill and intelligence. All you have are apes and dopes sputtering out gibberish for the MTV retards
mart | September 15, 2008 at 3:55 pm
R.I:P. dark side of the moon & wish you were here are one of the best pieces of music ever heard/recorded!!!!!!
pregoboob94 | September 15, 2008 at 3:57 pm
25, burn in hell.
RIP Rick. Your music will never die.
Lux | September 15, 2008 at 3:57 pm
the only keyboardist whose sound I loved (remember the 80s?)
Now I know I will never see the Floyd on tour.
I wish my dad took me to the shows in 1988 and 1994… :(
R.I.P.
Huh? | September 15, 2008 at 4:01 pm
This was the final cut for him, I bet he was comfortably numb, but he will shine on like a crazy diamond…now he and sid are both on the “Dark Side Of The Moon”
tripdat | September 15, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Welcome to the great gig in the sky.
True story: we were all coming down from a trip, summer-time in a u-district house, nicely stoned, cranking out the Floyd. Animals, I think it was. The door was open and in walks this guy off the street. “Hey. I heard the Pink Floyd playing so I came in. *pause* You wanna hear some of my poetry?” We all looked at each other, looked back at the guy, “NO!” He left. We laughed.
Pink Floyd ain’t no sissy music!!!
jess | September 15, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Tight Pussy | September 15, 2008 at 4:19 pm
OMG! Now I’m comfortably numb!
Billy Avenue | September 15, 2008 at 4:23 pm
my dad took me to see Floyd in 1994. He was good friends with floyd’s photographer, so we got 9th row centre. it was the best concert I’ve ever been to. I doubt anything will ever top it.
I’m gonna crank out some Floyd tonight in memory of Rick.
nutbutter | September 15, 2008 at 4:23 pm
RIP, Rick.
Again, one of the truly great musicians passes away.
He will be missed.
THE BEST BAND OF ALL TIME | September 15, 2008 at 4:23 pm
#25, you are so ignorant.
click my name to see Richard in action with David Gilmour…he will be missed.
he was so innovative and original.
R.I.P Richard Wright
AirMail | September 15, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Rest in peace man. Your fine work continues to bring joy to new people every year. You will br missed.
fra | September 15, 2008 at 4:25 pm
“a great gig in the sky” is pure musical genius, the chords on “us & them”, by his own ammission a miles davis rip off, one of the first jazz rock crossover. he probably introced modal themes into rock, too (the alreadt mentioned “… gig in the sky” is pure dorian). “animals” and “WYWH” are terrific album too, in terms of soundscaping and texture. I really like the guy who said he was one of the few keyboardist who didn’t sound cheesey in the 80s. so sad, he really introduced something new into rock.
Sport | September 15, 2008 at 4:29 pm
RIP, great, great band.
j | September 15, 2008 at 4:38 pm
you would think wish you were here was their best record. thats why you spend your day making unfunny, jealous commentary at people you wish you were. youre an empty soul. you dont know music, youre not even talented. wow you can sell ad space and pay your rent. what a prodigy. loser.
sean | September 15, 2008 at 4:39 pm
RIP, “How I wish, How I wish you were here”"
friendlyfires | September 15, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Holy crap! I didn’t even know the guy was sick! He was my favorite member of Pink Floyd after Syd Barret. Check out his solo album, Wet Dream which was released – holy crap! – thirty years to the day – on 15 Set 78 – I’m getting weird man – where’s my slavia? – crunch, crunch, munch, munch, swallow, gulp – ahhh – colors – lights – sounds – Casper – Wendy – Daisy Mae – unicorns – much better – bells
Adam | September 15, 2008 at 4:47 pm
“Remember the day before today; a day when you were young.”
The world already misses you beyond logical description.
I hope you get your great gig in the sky, Richard. Rest in peace.
Ashlea | September 15, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I’ll see you on the dark side of the moon….
RIP.
David Gilmour | September 15, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Syd Barret sucked. Nothing they ever did with him was worth a shit and they didnt become they legendary band they were until he was out of the picture.
You seriously liked that nursery rhyme shit Syd did?…Give me a break.
Too Bad it wasnt Roger Waters that died…hes turned into a worthless sack of shit thinking his monarchial political views in some way give him the knowledge to comment on American politics.
DBlumpkin | September 15, 2008 at 4:54 pm
R.I.P. and thank you for the music
mafme | September 15, 2008 at 5:00 pm
This is a sad piece of news :( I’m going to load up my changer with some floyd.
John Golby | September 15, 2008 at 5:09 pm
In the early seventies at School here in England we never thought Pink Floyd would make it in the States but instead continue to play small venues around the country & then Dark Side exploded and a lot of that’s due to Rick Wright – seems like a million years ago.He always came across as a really nice chap -RIP Rick
Shine On You Crazy Diamond | September 15, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I’m a 17 years old girl from Québec, I don’t even speak english and this, is REALLY upsetting me.. Well today is the day where Pink Floyd died.
” And if they try to break down your disguise with their questions, you can hide, hide, hide.. Behind paranoid eyes”