Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright is dead at age 65.  A founding member of the enormously successful British Rock band, Wright passed away today at his home ending a battle with cancer.   His family did not want to disclose any more details regarding his passing at this time.

Like many an adolescent boy, back in the day I was a huge fan of Pink Floyd, a band always guaranteed to bring a little extra something something to nights already pushed into excess.   For my money, Richard Wright was the unsung hero of the band, contributing the completely innovative keyboard parts that made these masters of the studio album stand apart from the competition.   Plenty of bands can write depressing lyrics.   Many rhythm sections can handle their instruments as well or better than Roger Waters (bass) and Nick Mason (drums).   Although David Gilmour (guitar) unquestionably had a very special sound, there were a lot of guys in the 70’s that knew how to make a guitar wail and scream in their guitar solos.   But Wright was nearly without peer in his day in the depth of sound he brought to the Pink Floyd’s classic recordings.  

Here’s a little of what I’m talking about below in an excerpt of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” from Wish You Were Here:

You can takepart in fighting cancer by checking out the website of the American Cancer Society.

LINKS:

Bloomberg: Richard Wright, Pink Floyd Founder, Keyboardist, Dies at 65

The Independent: Pink Floyd founder member Richard Wright dies at 65

The Guardian: Pink Floyd’s Richard Wright Dies Aged 65