Richard Wright Dies Age 65

Richard Wright, keyboard player with Pink Floyd has died aged 65, after a short struggle with cancer.

Richard Wright, who died from cancer on 15 September, 2008, contributed ethereal and atmospheric keyboards to the melting pot of musical styles that was Pink Floyd.

He played with Roger Waters and Nick Mason in early incarnations of the group (when they played under such ludicrous names as Sigma 6 and The Screaming Abdabs) and was instrumental in helping Syd Barrett realise his psychedelic vision on their classic debut The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967).

Though he did not write as many words as Barrett, Waters and (after 1968) Dave Gilmour, he composed much of the music as the band evolved into an epic, operatic outfit during the 1970s.

After leaving Pink Floyd in 1981 he founded a band called Zee and recorded one album. In the 1980s Pink Floyd's history was rewritten somewhat amid political and financial turmoil in the Pink Floyd camp and a feud with Waters saw his credit for the band's success diminished - his name was written in smaller print on the credits and his photo removed from record sleeves.

Nevertheless, following Waters' own departure, he played on A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and officially rejoined the group shortly afterwards. More recently he had been part of Dave Gilmour's live band and played with his former bandmates at the Live 8 concert. He also recorded the solo albums Wet Dream (1978) and Broken China (1996).