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A founding member of Pink Floyd moves on to "The Great Gig in the Sky"

A few things in life can be taken for granted, but Pink Floyd being eternal has been a source of artistic inspiration to me for the past two decades. Seems strange now, but seeing them live was one of the items on my "Things to do before I die" list, never occurring to me that they may pass on before I could get to attend one of their concerts. It appeared that the musical mastermind group had always been, always was, and always would be, and it never crossed my mind that nothing, not even something as accomplished and highly venerated as this British act, would last forever. I remember what every album, every song, every measure and every word  meant to me. I recall the mystery and awe surrounding the musicians, and how their legendary avoidance of the media spotlight just fed the perception of an almost out-of-this-world origin. Pink Floyd seemed larger than life, ungoverned by the laws of our universe, yet down-to-earth, as only their shows were grandiose, not their lifestyles. With Pink Floyd it has always been about the art, and the art has suffered an overwhelming loss in the passing of Richard Wright.

It may not serve as much comfort or provide closure to Richard's loved ones, friends or fans, but it was one of the greatest happenstances in music history that Richard performed live in front of a worldwide audience one last time (but for the first time in 24 years) with David, Roger and Nick at Live 8 on July 2nd, 2005.

He will be greatly missed.

All of us in the music world who knew him, heard him, worked with him, learned from him or were inspired by him, send our thoughts and prayers to his family.