David's Page
DAVID JON GILMOUR
David was born on March 6, 1946 in Grantchester, England. He is the youngest Pink Floyd member. His father, Douglas, was a doctor in genetics, and his mother, Sylvia, a film editor and college lecturer. His parents careers took them overseas to the U.S. and left David and his brothers, Mark and Peter by themselves. David was a young teen at this time, and worked several odd jobs including a modelling stint. He received a spanish guitar as a present from a neighbour and began to play. He joined the band "The Jokers Wild" and went on to play local gigs with them while in France. After the band broke up, David started to hang around his friend, Syd Barrett, who had achieved some success with his new group, Pink Floyd. David and Syd had often practiced their guitars together, and they attended the same college. Soon after, Syd started to show signs that he wasn't able to perform and the band asked David to join them. David was keen on the idea, and joined Pink Floyd in 1968. Piper at the Gates of Dawn had already been released, and together they produced A Saucerful of Secrets.
To this day, David stays in contact with Syd's family and ensures all proceeds and royalties are paid to Mr. Barrett. He has included some of Mr. Barrett's work on both P.U.L.S.E. and on his new DVD, which helps Mr. Barrett continue to receive an income.
David was criticized at first for trying to immitate Syd, but it was actually David who had influenced his friend. He began to find his own sound, and began to creatively contribute to their albums. His unique and amazing guitar playing brought the band instant recognition and is arguably one of the greatest guitarists in the rock scene, even today.
In 1975 David married Ginger, and over the course of their 14 or so years of marriage had 4 children, Alice, Claire, Sara and Matthew.
In 1978 he released his first solo album simply called David Gilmour. Tensions within the Floyd were mounting as Roger wanted to control the band and what they produced. Roger had become alienated from the audience and began to write the subsequent album, The Wall. Although David did not share Roger's view of the audience, he liked the concept of the album. One of his best known songs for its riveting solo is Comfortably Numb which is also his best loved solo. David and Roger began to quarrel about details and seemingly anything. Rick Wright was forced to leave the band or else Roger was going to withhold his part of the Wall album. Roger then left in 1985 and believed Pink Floyd to be over. It wasn't. Two years later David, Nick, and in the end, Rick, joined forces to once again release an album under the Floyd name, A Momentary Lapse of Reason. Roger tried to stop his former bandmates from using the Pink Floyd name but was not successful. They settled out of court and Pink Floyd continued on.
After a successful tour Delicate Sounds of Thunder in 1988, the Floyd corroborated together on another album. Unfortnately, David's personal life had taken a downfall and he and Ginger were divorced in 1990. Despite this, Gilmour and the rejuvinated Floyd went on to write one of their best albums in years,The Division Bell. Directly after releasing the Division Bell, David married his girlfriend Polly Sampson, who had helped write some lyrics on this album. They have 4 children as well, Joe, Gabriel, Romany and Polly's son Charlie from her first marriage.
The Floyd went on a massive world tour, with a laser light show that compares to no other. They released a video on VHS and also CD for this tour on P.U.L.S.E.. A DVD is in the works, and fans look forward to viewing the extras that this DVD will offer.
David continues to perform, recently releasing "David Gilmour in Concert" in 2002. He has hinted recently that he may be working on another album, but wouldn't disclose if it were another solo or a Floyd album. Fans continue to hope to see another Floyd tour, since the last tour was nearly 10 years ago now.
David was recently in the news, donating the proceeds of the sale of his home to Crisis, a charity for homeless people. Click HERE to read about it.
