David Gilmour facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Gilmour
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Gilmour at the Royal Albert Hall in 2024
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David Jon Gilmour
6 March 1946 Cambridge, England
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| Years active | 1963–present |
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Virginia "Ginger" Hasenbein
(m. 1975; div. 1990)Polly Samson
(m. 1994) |
| Children | 8 |
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David Jon Gilmour (born 6 March 1946) is a famous English guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the rock band Pink Floyd. He joined the band in 1967. Pink Floyd became one of the most successful bands in music history. After Roger Waters left in 1985, Gilmour led Pink Floyd. They released several albums, including A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and The Division Bell (1994).
Gilmour has also released five solo albums. These include David Gilmour (1978) and Luck and Strange (2024). Many of his solo albums and Pink Floyd albums have reached number one in the UK. He also helped start the career of singer-songwriter Kate Bush.
As part of Pink Floyd, Gilmour was added to the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. He was also inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2003, he received an award called Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the greatest guitarists.
Gilmour cares about important issues like animal rights and environmentalism. He also supports charities that help people who are homeless or living in poverty. He is married and has eight children. His wife, Polly Samson, helps write lyrics for his songs.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
David Jon Gilmour was born in Cambridge, England, on March 6, 1946. He has three siblings. His father taught zoology at University of Cambridge. His mother was a teacher and later a film editor for the BBC. His family moved around before settling in Grantchester.
David's parents encouraged his love for music. In 1954, he bought his first song, "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley. He was inspired by Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers. He taught himself to play guitar using a book and record set.
At age 11, Gilmour went to the Perse School. He met Syd Barrett and Roger Waters there. They would later become members of Pink Floyd. In 1962, Gilmour studied languages at college. He learned to speak French well. He also practiced guitar with Syd Barrett during lunch.
Later that year, Gilmour joined a blues rock band called Jokers Wild. They recorded a few songs, but only a small number of copies were made. When he was 19, Gilmour traveled to France. He even performed music on the street with Syd Barrett.
Music Career
Joining Pink Floyd
In 1967, Pink Floyd released their first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. The band included Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright. Gilmour saw them record a song and noticed that Barrett was having mental health problems.
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In December 1967, Gilmour was asked to join Pink Floyd. He was meant to help out because Barrett was becoming unpredictable. By March 1968, Barrett left the band. Nick Mason said that Gilmour brought a new sense of order to their music.
In the 1970s, Gilmour helped a young songwriter named Kate Bush. He paid for her to record demo songs. He also helped her get a record deal with EMI. He is credited on some of her early songs.
First Solo Albums
By the late 1970s, Gilmour felt he had more musical ideas to share. In 1978, he released his first solo album, David Gilmour. Some music he wrote for this album later became the famous Pink Floyd song "Comfortably Numb".
The relationship between Gilmour and Roger Waters became difficult. This led Gilmour to make his second solo album, About Face, in 1984. He used this album to express his feelings. He toured to support the album. After his tour, Gilmour played guitar with many other artists.
He also helped produce music for the band the Dream Academy. Their song "Life in a Northern Town" became a hit. Gilmour also played on songs for artists like Bryan Ferry and Paul McCartney.
Leading Pink Floyd
In 1985, Roger Waters said Pink Floyd was finished. But Gilmour and Mason decided to continue the band. Waters officially left in 1987, and Gilmour became the band's leader. In 1986, Gilmour bought a houseboat called Astoria. He turned it into a recording studio.
He produced Pink Floyd's album A Momentary Lapse of Reason in 1987. He wanted to bring back a balance between music and lyrics. Pink Floyd released another album under Gilmour's leadership, The Division Bell, in 1994.
Pink Floyd Reunion and Solo Work (2000s)
In 2001 and 2002, Gilmour performed solo concerts in London and Paris. These shows were released as In Concert. In 2004, he played at a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster guitar.
On July 2, 2005, Pink Floyd reunited with Roger Waters for the Live 8 concert. This performance greatly increased sales of Pink Floyd's music. Gilmour donated his profits to charities that help people. He encouraged other artists to do the same. After Live 8, Pink Floyd turned down a huge offer to tour again.
In 2006, Gilmour said that Pink Floyd would likely not tour or make new music again. He felt he was getting older and preferred to work alone. On his 60th birthday, March 6, 2006, he released his third solo album, On an Island. It became a number one album in the UK.
He toured Europe, the US, and Canada in 2006. The concerts were released on DVD as Remember That Night – Live at the Royal Albert Hall. In 2006, Gilmour released a tribute song for Syd Barrett, who had passed away.
Recent Years (2010s-2020s)
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In 2011, Gilmour made a surprise appearance with Roger Waters at a concert in London. They played "Comfortably Numb" together. Later that year, Gilmour released an album with the electronic duo the Orb, called Metallic Spheres.
Gilmour and Nick Mason used old recordings with Richard Wright to create a new Pink Floyd album. The Endless River was released in 2014. Gilmour said it would be Pink Floyd's last album. He felt it was not right to tour without Wright.
In September 2015, Gilmour released his fourth solo album, Rattle That Lock. He also released a live album and film called Live at Pompeii in 2017. He was made an honorary citizen of Pompeii.
In April 2022, Gilmour and Mason reformed Pink Floyd for a special song. "Hey, Hey, Rise Up!" was released to protest the conflict in Ukraine. It used a sample of a Ukrainian anthem. Gilmour said it was a one-time event for Pink Floyd.
On September 6, 2024, Gilmour released his fifth solo album, Luck and Strange. His wife, Polly Samson, wrote most of the lyrics. The album also features recordings by Richard Wright and contributions from his children. Luck and Strange became a number one album in the UK. Gilmour started a tour for the album in September 2024.
Musical Style and Instruments
Gilmour's guitar playing is known for its blues influence. He uses expressive note bends and long, sustained notes. People say his playing is about tone and feeling. He has a very recognizable sound.
Gilmour has said he learned by copying other guitarists. He was influenced by musicians like Pete Seeger, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton. He also plays bass, keyboards, banjo, and saxophone.
Famous Guitars
Gilmour has owned many guitars. For his 21st birthday, he received his first Fender guitar. He used this guitar when he joined Pink Floyd.
The Black Strat
One of his most famous guitars is the Black Strat. It is a Fender Stratocaster. He used it in most Pink Floyd concerts and on many albums from 1970 to 1983. He bought it in New York City in 1970. The guitar was changed many times over the years. In 2019, it was sold for charity for $3.9 million. This made it one of the most expensive guitars ever sold.
Other Guitars
Gilmour also owns other special guitars. These include the 0001 Strat, which was sold for over $1.8 million for charity. He has used Gibson Les Paul guitars and Gretsch models. For acoustic music, he uses Gibson J-200 and Martin guitars.
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He also plays steel guitar, which he used on songs like "One of These Days" and "Breathe".
Impact and Recognition
Gilmour is a very important figure in rock music. Many younger guitar fans see him as a key influence. He is known for the emotion in his guitar playing.
In 1996, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Pink Floyd. He has been ranked as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. His solos on songs like "Comfortably Numb" and "Time" are considered some of the best.
Other guitarists, like Steve Rothery of Marillion, have said Gilmour influenced them. Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet called Gilmour "the best guitar player in recent history" for his work on The Dark Side of the Moon.
Awards and Honours
Gilmour was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2003. This award recognized his contributions to music. He received it at Buckingham Palace.
In 2008, he won the Ivor Novello Lifetime Contribution Award for his music writing. He also received an award for his outstanding contribution to music from the Q Awards. He dedicated this award to Pink Floyd's keyboardist, Richard Wright, who had recently passed away. In 2009, he received an honorary doctorate from Anglia Ruskin University.
Charity Work
David Gilmour supports many charities. These include Oxfam, Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and the Teenage Cancer Trust. He is also a vice-president of Crisis, a charity that helps homeless people.
In 2003, he sold his house and donated the money, £3.6 million, to Crisis. This helped fund a housing project for the homeless. In 2019, Gilmour auctioned 120 of his guitars for charity. The auction raised over $21 million. All the money went to ClientEarth, an environmental charity.
Personal Life
David Gilmour has been married twice. He married Virginia "Ginger" Hasenbein in 1975, and they had four children. In 1994, he married the writer Polly Samson. She has written lyrics for many of his songs. They also have four children.
Gilmour is interested in flying and collects historical aircraft. He used to own a company for this hobby. He also spends time at his recording studio houseboat, Astoria.
Discography
Studio albums
- David Gilmour (1978)
- About Face (1984)
- On an Island (2006)
- Rattle That Lock (2015)
- Luck and Strange (2024)
Tours
- About Face Tour (1984)
- On an Island Tour (2006)
- Rattle That Lock Tour (2015–2016)
- Luck and Strange tour (2024)
See also
In Spanish: David Gilmour para niños
- List of most valuable celebrity memorabilia
