The work of the famous contemporary musician David Gilmour is hard to imagine without a biography of the legendary band Pink Floyd. However, his solo compositions are no less interesting for fans of intellectual rock music.
Although Gilmour does not have many albums, they are all great, and the value of these works is undeniable. The merits of the celebrity of world rock in different years have been adequately noted. In 2003 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
In 2009, Classic Rock included David in the list of famous guitarists in the world. In the same year he was awarded a Doctor of Arts degree from Cambridge. The artist took the 14th position in the top 100 best guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine in the same 2011.
The birth of the future star
David John was born on March 6, 1946 in Cambridge, England. Father (Douglas) is a professor of zoology at a local university. Mother (Sylvia) is a school teacher. While studying at school, David met Syd Barrett (the future leader of Pink Floyd) and Roger Waters.
With the help of Barrett, Gilmour taught himself the art of playing the guitar. Classes were held at lunchtime. However, during that period, the guys played in different groups. In 1964, he was listed in the group Joker's Wild.
Two years later, he said goodbye to the "Wild Joker" and went on a journey with a group of friends. The guys performed with street concerts in Spain and France. But this activity did not give them any money. Gilmour even went to the hospital due to exhaustion. In 1967, the wanderers returned to their homeland in a stolen truck.
Before the Christmas holidays, drummer Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) approached the young man with a proposal to collaborate with the band. David thought for a while, and in January 1968 he agreed. Thus, the quartet for some time turned into a quintet.
Basically, Gilmour worked as an understudy for Barrett, because due to problems with drugs, he could not go on stage.
After the time came to part ways with Sid, David was ready to replace the former leader of the band, not only as a guitarist. Gradually, however, Roger Waters became the main generator of ideas in the team.
Solo artist David Gilmour
From the late 1960s until 1977, thanks to the participation of Gilmour, Pink Floyd recorded 9 albums. Feeling that his musical possibilities were not fully realized within the group, David recorded a solo record after working on the Animals disc.
In 1978, David Gilmour released his solo album. The work turned out to be integral within the Pink Floyd style, but not very conceptual. The underestimation of the collection by the public is mainly due to the modesty of the artist.
He did not advertise or "promote" the record, which did not prevent her from gaining "gold" status in the United States. And Gilmour was also depressed by the fact that his records were constantly recognized by the way he played the guitar. If he sounded like Hendrix or Jeff Beck!.. Later, the guitarist changed his mind about the benefits of originality in sound.
The musician invited two friends from Cambridge (from the Jokers Wild group) to work in the studio, without a keyboard player.
The cover of the album was created by the designers of the Hipgnosis bureau, but the artist came up with the idea for the design. There are several photographs on the spread, among which was the image of David's first wife, Ginger (Virginia). Young people met in 1971 at one of the Pink Floyd concerts.
Virginia looked backstage at the musicians, met the band's guitarist and fell in love with him. David liked the girl too. The couple married four years later and had four children. But in the late 1980s, they suddenly broke up. In 1994, Gilmour remarried to Polly Samson, fathering four more children.
David Gilmour's second album
The heavy atmosphere that was at the creation of the cult "Wall" passed into the group's project The Final Cut. Roger Waters was in charge again. Then Gilmour decided to record his second disc.
In March 1984, the record went on sale on both sides of the ocean. And not only on vinyl, but also on the popular CD.
Musical compositions were recorded in France. There were: Bob Ezrin (producer), Jeff Porcaro (drummer), Pino Palladino (bassist), Jon Lord (organist), Steve Winwood (pianist), Vicki Brown, Sam Brown, Roy Harper (vocalists).
Several texts Gilmour entrusted to create Pete Townsend.
The music on the album is lightweight when compared to the style of Pink Floyd and Gilmour's first solo album. But even in it, the author managed to confirm the status of an excellent performer.
The tour lasted six months in support of the album in the New and Old Worlds. For concerts, Gilmour had to hire another team of musicians. Since all those who took part in the recording of the record were bound by contracts and work schedules.
Intermission and successful continuation for artist David Gilmour
His fans had to wait 22 years for David's next solo work. There were many reasons, one of them is age. Gilmour's third studio album was released on his 60th birthday.
The work turned out great. The album was even nominated for a Grammy Award. The tracks were recorded mainly in the studio of the guitarist's houseboat. The veteran was helped by his old friends: Rick Wright, Graham Nash, Bob Close.
The next work Metallic Spheres followed 4 years later. But this is an album by the electronic duo The Orb. And David participated here as a co-author of the recorded material and an invited guest.
A solo CD by Pink Floyd's guitarist went on sale in 2015. The fourth disc was called Rattle That Lock. The project was co-produced by Phil Manzanera (former member of Roxy Music).
In addition to solo work, Gilmour has had extensive practice as a session musician all these years. He recorded compositions with Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, Bryan Ferry, the Unicorn band.
