RIP Richard Wright

jblock · September 15, 2008, 09:14:23 AM

Just heard that Rick Wright died after a short bout of cancer. This is a huge loss. His keyboards, particularly with the early Floyd (1968-1972) were a big influence on me. He was certainly a pioneer in ambient keyboard sounds even though that wasn't his intention. Those early Klaus Schulze albums that revolve around the Farfisa owe a large debt to Wright. I'm going to spin Atom Heart Mother now.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7617363.stm

David Gilmour's blog on Rick:
http://blog.davidgilmour.com/2008/09/richard.html

Wayne Higgins · September 15, 2008, 10:51:25 AM

F*ck.

On to that great gig in the sky.

9dragons · September 15, 2008, 11:09:24 AM

Been listening to a lot of early Floyd lately and the playing of Rick Wright is genius. Thanks for the wonderful music, great one, and rest in peace...

mgriffin · September 15, 2008, 11:14:47 AM

My favorite Pink Floyd album, Meddle, is probably the one Floyd album on which Wright is most prominent. I've always thought he was underrated as a creative force in that band.

hdibrell · September 15, 2008, 01:20:32 PM

Meddle is my favorite Floyd album, as well. His playing wasn't "flashy" or "over the top". He just had a knack for finding the part that fit and fit beautifully.

Sighthound · September 15, 2008, 01:24:55 PM

Rest in Peace Rick. Guess I'll have to watch the Pulse DVD to see him and hear him playing again.

drkappa · September 15, 2008, 01:29:21 PM

I read this shocking news on the BBCi site this afternoon. Very sad loss for prog rock.

It was good seeing Rick Wright perform Arnold Layne on the last Dave Gilmour
On an Islandtour, and the all too brief reformation of Pink Floyd for the Live 8
charity concert in Hyde Park, London. Shame it couldn't have been a farewell tour.

Quote from: mgriffin on September 15, 2008, 11:14:47 AM
My favorite Pink Floyd album, Meddle, is probably the one Floyd album on which Wright is most prominent. I've always thought he was underrated as a creative force in that band.

One of the reasons I liked the Floyd were the keyboards and synths (not just
another guitar band). I was recently drawn to play Meddle because of the Olympics
and the "to medal" solecism. One of these days...

The time is gone
The song is over

deepspace · September 15, 2008, 02:34:51 PM

His keyboard parts on 'Time' from DSOTM set a benchmark for so many ambient/electronic artists, I feel. I remember hearing that for the first time as a kid, and just thinking, 'what is that, it doesn't sound like any instruments, it just sounds like that wailing lady's thoughts'!! That what my 8 year old brain heard. Good going on that one, Rick. RIP
I need to listen to that album now darnit....

OR a Yanni album. ;)

APK · September 15, 2008, 06:56:07 PM

I'm also a long-time fan of the early Floyd.
Sad to hear this news :(

jblock · September 16, 2008, 05:44:01 AM

More words from David Gilmour:

http://www.davidgilmour.com/

Scott M2 · September 16, 2008, 08:30:32 AM

Quote from: mgriffin on September 15, 2008, 11:14:47 AM
My favorite Pink Floyd album, Meddle, is probably the one Floyd album on which Wright is most prominent. I've always thought he was underrated as a creative force in that band.

I'd argue (though not in an argumentative fashion) that Wish You Were Here displayed Rick's contributions most prominently (particularly in the back end of Shine On where several sections were dominated [probably too strong a word for him] by Rick).
Meddle/Dark Side/Wish You Were Here... What a legacy for an artist!

I enjoyed Rick's solo work as well - made a high-quality cassette with Wet Dream on one side and Gilmour's 1st solo on the other and it got lots of play on long drives and at home. (Can't say the same for Pros and Cons or The Final Cut for that matter.)
Damn - I was even a fan of those early wistful PF pop songs of his - loaded with melancholy: Paint Box, See-Saw, Summer 68...

Pink Floyd was my clear favourite band and Rick was certainly a huge inspiration for me. RIP Rick.

Antdude · September 16, 2008, 12:35:08 PM

Really sad about this. Pink Floyd was the first band I ever saw live back in '71-72, when they played the Hollywood Bowl in L.A. Seeing 'Echoes' performed live was an experience I'll never forget. I saw them again a few years later at the infamous Sports Arena concerts(talk about second-hand smoke!) with the 'revolutionary' quadrophonic sound system.

Ummagumma, Meddle, and Dark Side of the Moon have been in heavy play here since yesterday. I was never a big fan of Wish You Were Here, or Animals(heresy!) but The Wall was a great return to form. More than anything, Pink Floyd was a band that really shaped my musical tastes at an early age and for that I'll always be grateful.

Back to the Great Gig in the Sky...

Mark Mushet · September 16, 2008, 12:54:36 PM

Quote from: Antdude on September 16, 2008, 12:35:08 PM
Ummagumma, Meddle, and Dark Side of the Moon have been in heavy play here since yesterday. I was never a big fan of Wish You Were Here, or Animals(heresy!) but The Wall was a great return to form. More than anything, Pink Floyd was a band that really shaped my musical tastes at an early age and for that I'll always be grateful.

I thought Animals was great. But Meddle remains a fave. I'd spin some Floyd in tribute but the commercial radio stations do it 24/7, 365 regardless...

LNerell · September 16, 2008, 12:55:29 PM

Quote from: Antdude on September 16, 2008, 12:35:08 PMI saw them again a few years later at the infamous Sports Arena concerts(talk about second-hand smoke!) with the 'revolutionary' quadrophonic sound system.

I also saw that show, it was either the first or second rock show I ever went to (I can't remember if it was Pink Floyd or The Who). I saw them at Anaheim stadium for the Animals tour, at the Sports Arena again for The Wall, and also at the Forum for Momentary Lapse of Reason. Pink Floyd was probably my favorite band, and Rick was a hero to me. He will be missed. :'(

jim brenholts · September 17, 2008, 06:15:20 PM

i have been a huge pink floyd fan since the days of the lp. dsom is still one of the two greatest albums of all time - at least imo. rick's contribution to the solo pieces from umma gumma might be some of the coolest pieces from that era. and i agree that meddle is a great album. echoes still chills me!

michael sandler · September 19, 2008, 05:25:21 PM

Quote from: jblock on September 15, 2008, 09:14:23 AM
Just heard that Rick Wright died after a short bout of cancer. This is a huge loss. His keyboards, particularly with the early Floyd (1968-1972) were a big influence on me. He was certainly a pioneer in ambient keyboard sounds even though that wasn't his intention. Those early Klaus Schulze albums that revolve around the Farfisa owe a large debt to Wright.

Indeed. If a person likes ambient/space music, it's a sure bet they also like Pink Floyd.

Wright was no virtuoso. His forte was subtlety and finding the right sound, as well as a beautiful touch on the piano. A million keyboard "shredders" will come and go, but there was no one like Rick Wright.

Not to be morbid, but they will be saying the same thing about Nick Mason when he moves on to the great drum throne in the sky.

Mike S.

sraymar · September 20, 2008, 08:44:16 AM

Quote from: deepspace on September 15, 2008, 02:34:51 PM
His keyboard parts on 'Time' from DSOTM set a benchmark for so many ambient/electronic artists, I feel. I remember hearing that for the first time as a kid, and just thinking, 'what is that, it doesn't sound like any instruments, it just sounds like that wailing lady's thoughts'!! That what my 8 year old brain heard. Good going on that one, Rick. RIP

DSOTM came out when I was in high school, also my pot smoking years, and a friend brought the album over and insisted we smoke a joint first before listening. I put my Sennheiser headphones on and well it was quite an experience, particuarly On The Run, that left an impression even thought I was a guitarist. It was Wright's tour inspired version of Music for Airports.

Steve

[/quote]

jblock · September 24, 2008, 06:36:38 AM

David Gilmour and his band played live last night on the Jools Holland show in what turned into a tribute for Rick. Here's them playing Rick's Remember A Day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSurg2GGvw0

And here's Dave talking about Rick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgbUbmEVKxM

drkappa · September 29, 2008, 07:17:40 PM

Quote from: Antdude on September 16, 2008, 12:35:08 PM

Ummagumma, Meddle, and Dark Side of the Moon have been in heavy play here since yesterday. I was never a big fan of Wish You Were Here, or Animals(heresy!) but The Wall was a great return to form.

Not liking Wish You Were Here seems strange given the long ambient drone for the
opening of Shine on You Crazy Diamond. BTW I still have the Mono Lake postcard.
As for not liking Animals "Hey you, Antdude, ha ha charade you are". :)

Mark Mushet · September 30, 2008, 05:38:00 PM

Quote from: jblock on September 24, 2008, 06:36:38 AM
David Gilmour and his band played live last night on the Jools Holland show in what turned into a tribute for Rick. Here's them playing Rick's Remember A Day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSurg2GGvw0

And here's Dave talking about Rick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgbUbmEVKxM

Great performance! Is that Phil Manzanera in the band? It would make sense. Too bad Holland then went on and on about Gilmour and audience member Jeff Beck being the two greatest guitarists ever in the room. Guess Phil just held his tongue on that one!