Rick Wright, the keyboard player of Pink Floyd, has died after a short battle with cancer. He was 65.
The news of the death of the Pink Floyd legend has come as a shock to fans as his cancer was not made public prior to his death.In a statement at PinkFloyd.com it says, “The family of Richard Wright, founder member of Pink Floyd, announce with great sadness, that Richard died today after a short struggle with cancer.
The family has asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time”.
Wright was a founding member of Pink Floyd after forming the band with Roger Waters and Nick Mason and calling themselves The Pink Floyd Sound.
Prior to Roger Waters taking over nearly all songwriting duties, Wright was an equal contributor to the songs and composed a lot of what we hear on the albums ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’, ‘Wish You Were Here’ and ‘Meddle’.
After Waters` departure, he also contributed heavily to the songs from the final Floyd album ‘The Division Bell’.
Outside Floyd, Wright released the two solo albums ‘Wet Dream’ (1978) and ‘Broken China’ (1996).
He also performed most recently with fellow Floyd member David Gilmour on the ‘On An Island’ album.
Wright’s death will bring an end to any further speculation of a Pink Floyd reunion. He was an integral member of the band and the band’s sound.
Floyd’s last performance at Live 8 in 1996 will now go down as their last ever gig.
Rick was married three times. He had two children with his first wife Julliette Gale. They divorced in 1982.
In 1984, he married second wife Franka. They divorced 10 years later.
In 1996, he married Millie. Together they had the boy, Ben.
Rick’s daughter Gala is married to songwriter Guy Pratt.
