Longtime friend of David Gilmour played on band’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” “Wish You Were Here,” “Us and Them,” and “Money,” and often joined the group on tour
Dick Parry, the saxophonist who performed on Pink Floyd classics like “Money” and “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” has died at the age of 83.
Parry’s death was announced Friday on social media by Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour; no cause of death was provided.
“My dear friend Dick Parry died this morning. Since I was seventeen, I have played in bands with Dick on saxophone, including Pink Floyd,” Gilmour wrote.
“His feel and tone make his saxophone playing unmistakable, a signature of enormous beauty that is known to millions and is such a big part of songs such as ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond,’ ‘Wish You Were Here,’ ‘Us and Them’ and ‘Money.’”
In addition to recording with Pink Floyd in the studio, Parry was a mainstay at the band’s concerts in the mid-Seventies. Nearly 20 years after Wish You Were Here, Parry reunited with the now-Gilmour-led Pink Floyd for 1994’s The Division Bell, performing on “Wearing the Inside Out.” Parry also accompanied Pink Floyd on the tour in support of The Division Bell, as documented on the live album Pulse.
“He played in the last band I had that included Rick Wright for the On an Island Tour and at Live 8 with Pink Floyd,” Gilmour added of Parry.
In addition to his tenure with Pink Floyd, Parry also recorded with artists like the Who’s John Entwistle, Rory Gallagher, and Lightnin’ Slim.
