10 Fun Facts About Richard Wright: “The Unsung Hero”
Richard ‘Rick’ Wright may not have been the member of Pink Floyd with the most media attention, but his contributions were crucial to the band’s iconic sound.
The haunting melodies and atmospheric soundscapes that we all love wouldn’t have existed without his musical genius. Classic albums like ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ and ‘Wish You Were Here’ wouldn’t be as nearly as memorable and legendary without Rick‘s keyboards.
Here are ten facts about Pink Floyd‘s “unsung hero”.
10 Facts About Richard Wright
1. Richard’s main influence were jazz artists
Richard Wright’s love for music was ignited by jazz legends like Miles Davis, Bill Evans and John Coltrane. This is evident in his improvisational, atmospheric and melodic keyboard work.
His love of jazz gave Pink Floyd a unique sound, mixing progressive and psychedelic rock with sophisticated harmonies and chord progressions.
2. He was the only one to profit from “The Wall” tour
After being fired from the band during the album’s recording due to tensions with other bandmates, mainly Roger Waters, Rick returned as a salaried touring musician for the album’s extravagant concert world tour.
While the rest of the band struggled to cover the tour’s massive costs, Wright walked away with a steady paycheck, making his comeback both ironic and lucrative.
3. Owned a yacht and loved sailing
Richard was a passionate sailor. He owned a yacht and found solace in the open waters, often sailing across the Mediterranean.
He particularly loved the coasts of Greece and France, where he could retreat for peace and inspiration, but also to escape the chaos of fame.
4. He was married three times and is the father of three
A true romantic at heart, Richard Wright was married three times and fathered three children. His relationships reflected his sensitive and passionate nature, though they also faced challenges.
Despite the rockstar status, he remained deeply connected to his family.
5. His daughter married bassist Guy Pratt
A new and unique page was opened in the Pink Floyd history book when Guy Pratt – the bassist and touring musician who replaced Roger Waters when he left the band – married Wright’s daughter, Gala.
Although he is almost two decades younger than the original members, Pratt became an integral part of Pink Floyd‘s post-Waters era world tours.
6. Had an unusual hobby – collecting Persian rugs
While some rockstars collect cars, aircraft or guitars, Rick had a more refined and unique passion – Persian rugs.
His appreciation for these intricate and delicate hand-woven pieces is a testament not only to his love of art and craftsmanship, but also to his ability to notice complex patterns that are absolutely essential when creating music as beautiful as his.
7. Wright was a skilled multi-instrumentalist
Wright wasn’t just a keyboardist – he was a true multi-instrumentalist who taught himself to play piano, trombone, trumpet, and guitar as a teenager. Later, he became proficient on other instruments, especially the synthesizer and organ, which are his trademark.
As a child, he also took private lessons in music theory, which increased his versatility and allowed him to create complex melodies with his various instruments.
8. Credited on all but one Pink Floyd album & performed on every tour
Despite being a core member of the band, Wright’s name is missing from ‘The Final Cut’ (1983), the only album he wasn’t credited on due to his earlier dismissal from the band.
However, he performed on every Pink Floyd tour, including the massive and expensive The Wall shows we talked about earlier in the post.
9. Rick shared a flat with Syd Barrett
In their early days, Richard Wright shared a flat with Pink Floyd’s original frontman, Syd Barrett.
Their time as roommates was marked by Syd’s increasing detachment from reality as Wright would often leave for gigs only to return hours later and find Barrett sitting in the exact same spot, lost in thought.
Two other bandmates were also roommates – Roger Waters and Nick Mason lived together as students.
10. He released two solo albums
Richard‘s solo discography is a hidden gem that not many people know about. He released two solo albums: ‘Wet Dream’ (1978) and ‘Broken China’ (1996) which showcased his songwriting and compositional skills.
The albums explore themes of love, loss, and introspection, revealing his more personal side. They also prove that he was more than just a supporting player in the band.
This is Track 16 on his second solo studio album, featuring lead vocals from Sinéad O’Connor. Beautiful tune. David Gilmour also played on the track but his parts were later edited out due to Rick taking a different artistic approach.
Final Thoughts
Richard Wright’s contributions to music and Pink Floyd’s legacy often go underappreciated, but his artistry and innovation remain undeniable.
His atmospheric keyboards, jazz influences, and songwriting helped shape Pink Floyd‘s signature sound. Wright was the soul behind some of the band’ most recognizable melodies.
He may have been the unsung hero, but true fans know just how irreplaceable he was, after all, who doesn’t love “The Great Gig in the Sky”?