"I am not frightened of dying.
Any time will do, I don't mind.
Why should I be frightened of dying?
There's no reason for it, you've gotta go sometime."
(Pink Floyd, The Great Gig In The Sky, 1973)
Today, I will be thinking about Richard William Wright, one of the founding members of Pink Floyd, who passed away yesterday.
Rick Wright was a prominent member of Pink Floyd, right from the early days when Syd Barrett was still part of the band. Although Rick wrote and sang in several songs in the early part of Pink Floyd's career, he later went on to compose very intense instrumentals, such as those heard in songs such as "Interstellar Overdrive," "A Saucerful Of Secrets," "Careful With That Axe, Eugene," "One Of These Days," "Atom Heart Mother," "Echoes" (18 minutes!!!), and of course The Great Gig In The Sky, which is still an instrumental, even though parts of the instrumental are played with a very strong female voice, it is still an instrumental since she is belting out notes, not words. And yet still conveys emotion.
Pink Floyd is, by far, one of my two favorite bands of all time, tied with The Beatles. Although quite different in styles, both of these bands have a very special place in my life, and both are equally important, and are part of a definition of who I am. I would not be the same person today, and I consider music to be an important part of my life. I do not play an instrument (Does "Rock Band" on the Xbox count?) but I sure enjoy listening to music.
Pink Floyd is the type of music that crosses a fine line (at times) between Rock&Roll and Classical. There are definitely Classical elements in Pink Floyd, although they got their inspiration (and name) from Jazz. You can hear the influences, if you listen to their music. It is also the type of music that has a "double entendre" in that you can listen to it "straight" or "on drugs," and get two completely different meanings and experiences form their music. Most of their early songs are of a quite psychedelic quality.
Rick Wright, you and your band played a great part in my youth, and continue to do so today. May you always be remembered as you now play your Great Gig in the Sky.
"I never said I was frightened of dying."
(Pink Floyd, The Great Gig In The Sky, 1973)
