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Pink Floyd Virtuoso Richard Wright Dies

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LONDON (Sept. 15) - Richard Wright, a founding member of the rock group Pink Floyd, died Monday. He was 65.

Pink Floyd's spokesman Doug Wright, who is not related to the artist, said Wright died after a battle with cancer at his home in Britain. He says the band member's family did not want to give more details about his death.

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Wright met Pink Floyd members Roger Waters and Nick Mason in college and joined their early band, Sigma 6. Along with the late Syd Barrett, the four formed Pink Floyd in 1965.

The group's jazz-infused rock and drug-laced multimedia "happenings" made them darlings of the London psychedelic scene, and their 1967 album, "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn," was a hit.

In the early days of Pink Floyd, Wright, along with Barrett, was seen as the group's dominant musical force. The London-born musician and son of a biochemist wrote songs and played the keyboard.

"Rick's keyboards were an integral park of the Pink Floyd sound" said Joe Boyd, a prominent record producer who worked with Pink Floyd early in its career.

The band released a series of commercially and critically successful albums including 1973's "Dark Side of the Moon," which has sold more than 40 million copies. Wright wrote "The Great Gig In The Sky" and "Us And Them" for that album, and later worked on the group's epic compositions such as "Atom Heart Mother," ''Echoes" and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond."

But tensions grew between Waters, Wright and fellow band member David Gilmour. The tensions came to a head during the making of "The Wall" when Waters insisted Wright be fired. As a result, Wright was relegated to the status of session musician on the tour of "The Wall," and did not perform on Pink Floyd's 1983 album "The Final Cut."

Wright and Gilmour Get 'Numb' In Studio

Wright formed a new band Zee with Dave Harris, from the band Fashion, and released one album, "Identity," with Atlantic Records.

Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985 and Wright began recording with Mason and Gilmour again, releasing the albums "The Division Bell" and "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" as Pink Floyd. Wright also released the solo albums "Wet Dream" (1978) and "Broken China" (1996).

In July 2005, Wright, Waters, Mason and Gilmour reunited to perform at the "Live 8" charity concert in London — the first time in 25 years they had been onstage together.

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'The Great Gig in the Sky'

'Us and Them'

Wright also worked on Gilmour's solo projects, most recently playing on the 2006 album "On An Island" and the accompanying world tour.

Gilmour paid tribute to Wright Monday, saying his input was often forgotten.

"He was gentle, unassuming and private but his soulful voice and playing were vital, magical components of our most recognized Pink Floyd sound," he said. "I have never played with anyone quite like him."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-09-15 12:35:37

Christopher Peterson, BuzzFoto / FilmMagic

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FLUFF DADDY 71

12:41 AMSep 20 2008

All I can say is "Have a Cigar You're Gonna Go Farrrrr". Lite up a cigar for losing another Great band member of Pink Floyd. Wright will be missed but the Genius of the their music will live on. The Guitar, off the album Wish You Were Here, played by Gilmour at the very end of Cigar give's me Chills down my back. The English humor Roger Waters singing "The Band is Just Fantastic that is really what think and by the way which one's (member) Pink. I Wish You Were All Here. To the members that past, where ever you are Shine on You Crazy Diamond. Pink Floyd will be Eternal for generations to enjoy. Repression both physical and psychological happened through out History. Whether you like them or not Pink exposed and brought political ideaology's to the table. Remember The Wall and the fall of Communism and Big Brother(The Goverment aka The Man) watching over trying to Brainwash the People. The People must alway's have a check and balance. If not we'd have the Bush family continue running th...

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Ballsofun1

01:49 AMSep 18 2008

OMFG his death comes after amy whinehouseJ ? pussycat dolls and spears and so on!!!!!!!!!!! AOL u out to be ashamed of your self and to say he noodled ? his way to psych loving teenagers. Whoever wrote this, if I met u I'd kick ur azz in no time. If you have any dislike of their talent then write in another post, not in his memory. Gilmour is a fantastic guitarist, Waters a great lyracist and Mason a steady percussion but without Rick's keyboards the Pink Floyd is not Pink Floyd! Listen to Apples and Oranges, See Emily Play, Gig in the Sky w/Clare (gotta love her), Echoes... do u know any of this???? His vocals with Dave's are so beautiful, so alike. He was such a gentle man who showed his heart in his talent. We, the world, will miss you and always love you for the joy you brought us. It was a trip and in your meetings I'm sure ur see Rodger....tell him I said HI!!!!!!!!!! Love to the Wright family and God BlessD Bartholomew Ohio

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AVMSMGR

05:55 PMSep 16 2008

thank youfor the music and the years you shared with us. I;'m glad the Band was at peace with each other.To me it is like losing another Beatle, Man are we geting old, but still, I think I will sit back, partake and enjoy some fne Floyda Sad day in Music

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Trishmix1

05:32 PMSep 16 2008

The first time I heard Pink Floyd music...well, it was strangely familiar but in reality I knew I was hearing it for the first time. It was the emotion in the music that was so familiar. So incredibly soulful. The keyboard and guitar and vocal in "Great Gig in the Sky" are perfectly intertwined, a peace of heaven. And Rick's performance in David Gilmour's "Remember that Night" was phenomenal. He will be remembered and loved by so many!

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SSmitty1234

03:26 PMSep 16 2008

Richard Wright will be soarly missed. Pink Floyd was the first band I ever saw in concert back in 1973. They influinced me in my musical passions and I rate them as ONE OF THE GREATEST ROCK N ROLL BANDS of our times. May you rest in peace Richard.......we will miss you!!!!!

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IntotheMystik

01:33 PMSep 16 2008

"after all we're only ordinary men..." RIP Richard. What a glorious trip you shared with us. Thanks till the end of time.

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COLETTEOBRIEN5

10:53 AMSep 16 2008

CHECK OUT THE AMOUNT OF HITS ON YOU TUBE FOR PINK FLOYD....MILLIONS...NO GROUP OF TODAY EVER GOT THAT MANY HITS...AND THEY ARE SENIOR CITIZENS! LOVE IT....RIP RICHARD AND SYD~~~~

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SATCHEL0805

10:40 AMSep 16 2008

Pink Floyd-Meddle Boy, that was an ocean of cerveza and other things ago.RIP

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COLETTEOBRIEN5

10:33 AMSep 16 2008

THERE WILL NEVER, EVER, BE ANOTHER BAND LIKE PINK FLOYD...RIP RICHARD...AND THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES :0(

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MBillm60

10:27 AMSep 16 2008

I was fortunate in My life to have seen Richard & Floyd several times many moons ago. His keyboard playing would take you on a trip through the cosmos ! Richard & Nick Mason were the backbone of the band. Thank you Richard for bring me along for the trip ! What a trip it was ! God Bless Richard and LONG LIVE PINK FLOYD !

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