David Gilmour
“The first rock album I bought was A Saucerful Of Secrets by Pink Floyd back in 1974. I was a youth of a mere 15 summers, just discovering rock music. Among all the bands of that era, Pink Floyd stood out for me. I vividly remember John Peel previewing their 1977 album Animals on his show. On it, David Gilmour’s soaring guitar lines and Roger Waters’ bleak lyrics seemed to me more potent than any of the punk bands my friends were enamoured with. I also have a memory of lying on the beach at night at Whitby, where I grew up, listening to Shine On You Crazy Diamond under the stars. It was one of those moments that live with you forever, and that had a huge influence on my decision to become a musician.
“After the split between Waters and the rest of the band, I was impressed that Gilmour pressed on without him. Whatever you think of the two Watersless Floyd albums compared to the earlier work, the power and potency of Pink Floyd live was beyond compare. The Wembley show I saw on the Momentary Lapse Of Reason tour is still the best light show/spectacle I’ve ever seen and Dave Gilmour at his best is without peer.
“I enjoyed the reunion at Live 8, but it was clear by the expression on Gilmour’s face during most of the gig that he didn’t intend to repeat the experience any time soon.”