Recommendations of the Editorial team
Dick Parry, the saxophonist on Pink Floyd classics like “Money” and “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” died at the age of 83.
Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour announced Parry’s death on social media on Friday; a cause of death was not given.
“My dear friend Dick Parry died this morning. I played in bands with Dick since I was seventeen, including Pink Floyd,” Gilmour wrote.
Distinctive sound
“His feel and tone make his saxophone playing unmistakable, a signature of immense beauty known to millions and so integral to songs like ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘Us and Them’ and ‘Money’.”
In addition to his studio recordings with Pink Floyd, Parry was an integral part of the band’s concerts in the mid-1970s. Almost 20 years after “Wish You Were Here”, Parry rejoined the now Gilmour-led band for the 1994 album “The Division Bell” and played on “Wearing the Inside Out”. Parry also accompanied Pink Floyd on the “The Division Bell” tour, as documented on the live album “Pulse”.
“He played in the last band I had with Rick Wright, the On an Island Tour and Live 8 with Pink Floyd,” Gilmour added of Parry.
Collaboration with other greats
In addition to his time with Pink Floyd, Parry also recorded with artists such as John Entwistle of the Who, Rory Gallagher and Lightnin’ Slim.
Pink Floyd’s sound
Richard Wright was studying Greek architecture when he met Nick Mason and Roger Waters. They joined forces and made music together from then on. When Syd Barrett joined as a guitarist and sang in 1965, the formation initially became The Pink Floyd Sound. By the way, Wright contributed a lot to the Pink Floyd sound: he operated the keys and was considered Pink Floyd’s most important composer alongside Waters from Gilmour’s entry until the mid-70s. For example, “Remember a Day” and “Summer ’68” come from him. Later, Wright focused more on his role as the band’s keyboardist. He elicited the sounds from organ, piano, keyboard and synthesizer that made Pink Floyd pioneers.
Among other things, he used the Hammond cult model C3 and at times even declared it his favorite instrument. Made to work using Leslie speakers, which produce beats and thus serve as an effects device. Wright didn’t seem to shy away from any instrument, playing the gong, flute and penny whistle.
After Wright played a key role in finding Pink Floyd’s sound, the founding member was forced out of the band in 1979 after recording the concept album “The Wall”.
