Pink Floyd founding member Richard Wright dead at 65

Sep 15, 2008 2:17 PM by Caroline Goddard

Posted in Entertainment / Celebrity Gossip / Celebrity Obituaries

Wish You Were Here

Richard Wright, a founding member of the famed band Pink Floyd, died Monday after a long battle with cancer. He was 65.

A band spokesperson confirmed the death occurred at Wright's home in England, but said the family does not wish to release more details about the death.

Richard Wright of Pink Floyd, the keyboardist providing their sound

Wright met Pink Floyd band mates Roger Waters and Nick Mason in college, helping form their first band, Sigma 6. Later joined by the late Syd Barrett, the foursome created Pink Floyd in 1965.

Wright and Barrett were long seen as the main musical forces of the group, particularly on the penultimate "Dark Side of the Moon." Tensions in the band during the making of "The Wall" led to Waters insisting upon Wright being fired. When Waters left the group in 1985, Wright rejoined Nick Mason and David Gilmour, releasing "The Division Bell" and "A Momentary Lapse of Reason."

In between, Wright formed a band called Zee with Dave Harris and released an album titled "Identity" under the Atlantic label.

Pink Floyd last played together at the 2005 "Live 8" charity concert in London -- the first time they played live together in 25 years.