David Gilmour
Bio
David Jon Gilmour, born March 6, 1946, in Cambridge, England, is widely regarded as one of the most expressive and technically masterful guitarists in rock history. He joined Pink Floyd in December 1967 as a temporary fill-in for founding member Syd Barrett, who was experiencing mental health decline, and quickly became the band's permanent guitarist, co-lead vocalist, and primary musical director. Gilmour's shimmering, blues-inflected sustain and perfectly-phrased solos defined the Pink Floyd sound on landmark albums including The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977), and The Wall (1979). Following Roger Waters' departure in 1985, Gilmour led Pink Floyd through a commercially successful but contentious era, releasing A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and The Division Bell (1994). His solo work includes four studio albums, with On an Island (2006) and Rattle That Lock (2015) showcasing his more introspective, jazz-influenced songwriting. In 2015, he declared Pink Floyd "over," focusing on his solo career and charitable aviation endeavors as a licensed pilot. Gilmour has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice (as a member of Pink Floyd in 1996 and for his solo work in 2003's UK Hall of Fame). He continues to perform and release music, revered for his impeccable vibrato, tasteful restraint, and the soaring guitar work on classics like "Comfortably Numb," "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," and "Time." He is married to novelist Polly Samson, with whom he co-writes lyrics.
Accomplishments
2003 - Music: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1996) & Order of the British Empire (2003)
Genre: Rock / Progressive Rock
Co-stars: Inducted alongside Pink Floyd bandmates Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason, and the late Syd Barrett.
Brief Description: Gilmour's influence was formally recognized when Pink Floyd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (though he and Waters famously did not perform together). In 2003, Gilmour was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to music and charity, specifically his extensive philanthropic work including donating millions from his auction of 120+ guitars to climate change and humanitarian causes. These honors solidified his legacy not only as a guitar icon but as a respected cultural figure.
1979 - Music: Guitar Solo on "Comfortably Numb" (1979)
Genre: Progressive Rock / Art Rock
Co-stars: Roger Waters (vocals, bass), Richard Wright (keyboards), Nick Mason (drums); orchestral arrangements by Michael Kamen.
Brief Description: Consistently voted by readers of Guitar World, Rolling Stone, and Guitarist magazine as the greatest guitar solo of all time (often holding the #1 and #2 spots for the two solos). Gilmour's first solo is melodic and aching, while the second, climactic solo is a cathartic explosion of sustain, vibrato, and pentatonic phrasing. It has become the definitive benchmark for rock guitar expression and remains the most requested solo in guitar history.
1973 - Music: Lead Guitar and Co-Lead Vocals on The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Genre: Progressive Rock / Psychedelic Rock
Co-stars: Roger Waters (bass, vocals, lyrics), Richard Wright (keyboards, vocals), Nick Mason (drums); recorded at Abbey Road Studios with engineer Alan Parsons.
Brief Description: As Pink Floyd's musical anchor, Gilmour shaped the sonic landscape of one of the best-selling albums of all time (over 45 million copies). His soaring, emotional guitar solos on "Time" and "Money," combined with his ethereal harmonies and lead vocals on "Breathe" and "The Great Gig in the Sky" (spoken word), elevated the album's themes of madness, mortality, and capitalism into a universally acclaimed masterpiece. It spent 741 weeks on the Billboard chart.
News
The genius of David Gilmour in Pink Floyd’s greatest songs – by Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Stu Mackenzie and more
As one of the greatest guitarists of all time, David Gilmour has inspired and influenced countless musicians – and in 2022, a number of famous players paid tribute to the Pink Floyd legend in the pages of Total Guitar magazine.
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