David Gilmour

David Gilmour

Gilmour performing in 2015
Born
David Jon Gilmour

(1946-03-06) 6 March 1946 (age 78)
Cambridge, England
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active1963–present
Spouses
(m. 1975; div. 1990)
(m. 1994)
Children8
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Labels
Member ofPink Floyd
Formerly of
Websitedavidgilmour.com

David Jon Gilmour CBE (/ˈɡɪlmɔːr/ GHIL-mor; born 6 March 1946) is an English musician, singer and songwriter, who is a member of the rock band Pink Floyd. He joined as guitarist and co-lead vocalist in 1967, shortly before the departure of founding member Syd Barrett.[1] Pink Floyd achieved international success with the concept albums The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977), The Wall (1979) and The Final Cut (1983). By the early 1980s, they had become one of the highest-selling and most acclaimed acts in music history; by 2012, they had sold more than 250 million records worldwide, including 75 million in the United States.[2] Following the departure of Roger Waters in 1985, Pink Floyd continued under Gilmour's leadership and released three more studio albums.

Gilmour has produced a variety of artists, such as the Dream Academy, and has released four solo studio albums: David Gilmour (1978), About Face (1984), On an Island (2006), and Rattle That Lock (2015). He is also credited for bringing the singer-songwriter Kate Bush to public attention. As a member of Pink Floyd, he was inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2003, Gilmour was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). He was awarded with the Outstanding Contribution title at the 2008 Q Awards.[3] In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked him number 28 in their list of the greatest guitarists of all time.[4] He was also voted number 36 in the greatest voices in rock by Planet Rock listeners in 2009.[5]

Gilmour has taken part in projects related to issues including animal rights, environmentalism, homelessness, poverty, and human rights. He has married twice and is the father of eight children.

  1. ^ Povey 2008, p. 47.
  2. ^ For 250 million records sold see: "Pink Floyd Reunion Tops Fans' Wish List in Music Choice Survey". Bloomberg Television. 26 September 2007. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2012.; For 74.5 million RIAA certified units sold see: "Top Selling Artists". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Gilmour dedicates his award to late colleague". Q Awards. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  4. ^ "The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Rolling Stone. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Robert Plant voted rock's greatest voice". MusicRadar. 4 January 2009. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.