David Gilmour
born March 6, 1946; Gilmour entered the already
formed band in 1968, after taking the place of singer/guitarist Syd Barrett,
who had gone insane from drug overdoses. Being one of the best and most respected guitarists
in the world, he is the soul of the band. He is one of the few guitarists who could play rock, blues, jazz, folk, and still have a defined style and sound of his own. While
taking on much of the vocal responsibilities during Pink Floyd's history,
he also is credited with many songs and has come up with some of the
most memorable riffs and solos in rock.
Roger Waters
born September 9, 1943; After Syd Barrett's departure
from the band, Waters stepped up to take on the role of songwriter and
lyricist, giving the band the identity and image it has today, while continuing his job as playing
bass. Waters
is the genius behind nearly all the song lyrics, as well as most of the
music, and also the vision behind the themes of the Pink Floyd albums.
Much of his anger and bitterness arose from the death of his father, who
was killed in Italy in 1944 by the Germans during World War II. After leaving
the band in 1986, he released his own solo albums and embarked on world tours, which were only marginally successful.
Richard Wright
born July 28, 1945; Wright provides the atmosphere of the
Floyd's songs with his rich textures of keyboard layering and piano works,
notably on "Great Gig In The Sky" and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." He also
has several writing credits, and sings background on several songs such as
"Time," and even lead vocals in "Remember A Day" and "Wearing The Inside Out."
Wright was cast out from the band after Animals, but stayed on with the band
for The Wall and the tour that followed as a paid musician. Wright rejoined
the band somewhat reluctantly for Momentary Lapse Of Reason in 1987, and later
regained full Floydian status for the tour and The Division Bell.
Nick Mason
born January 27, 1945; Mason is certainly the most overlooked
member of the band, yet he is the only member who has been with the band
from day one to the present. Although not a flashy drummer, his jazz-like style fits perfectly in Pink Floyd, allowing each member to contribute
in his own way, thereby making the whole greater than the sum of the parts.
He has had a part in the tape effects of many Floyd songs, provided backup vocals
on a few, and hand wrote Waters' lyrics
on the sleeve of the "Animals" album himself. Mason's best works include "Time," "Careful
With That Axe, Eugene," and "Saucerful Of Secrets." Mason
once intended to be an architect if his musical career didn't work out, and he
enjoys racing sports cars.
Terrance "Snowy" White, Gilmour's friend and Floyd's rhythm guitarist during the last few tours
with Waters
Dick Parry, the saxophone player heard on several Floyd tunes such as "Us & Them" and
"Shine On," as well as playing sax on many Floyd tours
Battersea Power Station
