Guitarist David Gilmour was born on this day in Cambridge, England in 1946. The 73-year-old guitarist found fame as a longtime member of Pink Floyd. Gilmour joined the band in December 1967 and continued with the group through the end of their touring and recording days in 1994. He’s since launched a solo career that has included the release of four albums and multiple tours.
Gilmour’s expressive guitar style and powerful vocals are one of the main reasons Pink Floyd became one of the most successful bands in rock history. His melodic approach is distinctive and at the heart of such hits as “Money,” “Comfortably Numb,” “Echoes,” “Learning To Fly” and “Numb.” Founding member Roger Waters quit Pink Floyd in 1985 at which time David Gilmour became the leader of the band. Roger and David traded barbs through the press and in the court room, which led to a 24-year period in which the pair didn’t perform together. Pink Floyd played a set with Waters in 2005 and the two musicians have since shared the stage two more times.
On July 11, 2010 David Gilmour and Roger Waters reunited for the first time since Pink Floyd’s 2005 performance at Live 8. The pair played a charity event for the Hoping Foundation in Oxfordshire, England. Gilmour convinced Waters to team for a cover of the Teddy Bears’ 1958 hit “To Know Him Is To Love Him” by promising to perform “Comfortably Numb” during a stop of Roger’s The Wall Live tour. David Gilmour made good on his promise on May 12, 2011 at 02 Arena in London. Gilmour performed atop the wall as he did during a brief tour in support of the famed Pink Floyd LP in 1980 and 1981. The guitarist returned to take part in the encore of “Outside The Wall,” which also featured Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason.
Watch pro-shot video of “Comfortably Numb” from May 12, 2011:
