David Gilmour is best known for his distinctively spacy, atmospheric guitar work for
Pink Floyd. Born March 6, 1944, in Cambridge, England,
Gilmour was well acquainted with the members of
Pink Floyd when they asked him to join their band to supplement the guitar work of the increasingly erratic
Syd Barrett. When
Barrett's mental breakdown made it impossible for him to continue with the group,
Gilmour became a permanent contributing member in time for their second album, 1968's
A Saucerful of Secrets.
Gilmour has recorded solo albums during periods of
Pink Floyd inactivity, including 1978's moody
David Gilmour, 1984's more melodic
About Face (after the breakup of the
Roger Waters-led lineup), and 2006's laid-back, lyrical
On an Island (which became a Top Ten hit). A concert set,
Live in Gdansk, appeared in 2008.
Gilmour has also lent his guitar to a number of other artists' records, notably
Kate Bush and
Bryan Ferry. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide