By Ian Youngs

Music reporter, BBC News

Richard Wright had been due to accompany David Gilmour on the show Pink Floyd star David Gilmour has performed one of the band's early songs in tribute to the group's keyboardist Richard Wright, who died last week. Gilmour gave a poignant rendition of Remember A Day, written by Wright, who died from cancer at the age of 65. The song was on Pink Floyd's 1968 second album Saucerful of Secrets. "He created a sound that glued the whole Pink Floyd thing together," Gilmour said on BBC Two music show Later... With Jools Holland. "He was just a very self-effacing but very talented, lovely chap. We're incredibly sad to have lost him." Wright had been due to accompany Gilmour on the TV show, but sent the guitarist a text message three weeks ago saying he would not be able to play. After his death, Gilmour decided to play Remember A Day. It is thought that the song had not been performed live for many years. Wright sang lead vocals on the original version, which was recorded just before Gilmour joined the group. Gilmour recalled meeting Wright in 1965, when his first band supported Pink Floyd in "schools and big old youth clubs". Pink Floyd reformed for Live 8 in 2005, with Gilmour (left) and Wright (right) Wright was "so shy and quiet", he told host Jools Holland. Asked about Wright's contribution to Pink Floyd, he replied: "He brought a slightly more jazzy and ethereal element to it all. "He had some elusive quality, let's call it soul, that glued the whole thing together. You notice it when it's missing." One edition of Later... was broadcast on Tuesday, with a longer version to be aired on BBC Two on Friday. For the Friday episode, Gilmour also performed The Blue, from his 2006 solo album On An Island. The album version of that song featured Wright on backing vocals, and Wright had also accompanied Gilmour on tour. The keyboardist was "revelling in what he was doing" in recent years, Gilmour said. "He had so much joy in him." The show also featured Mercury Prize winners Elbow, new US pop star Katy Perry and British hip-hop artist Roots Manuva. Later... with Jools Holland is on BBC Two at 2335 BST on Friday.



E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious

Digg

reddit

Facebook

StumbleUpon What are these?