View source for David Gilmour

{{Short description|English musician (born 1946)}}
{{About|the English rock musician|his 1978 album|David Gilmour (album)|the American jazz guitarist|David Gilmore}}
{{other people|David Gilmour}}
{{pp-pc}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = David Gilmour
| honorific_suffix   = {{postnom|country=GBR|size=100|CBE}}
| image              = DGilmourRAH111024 (21 of 63) (cropped).jpg
| alt                = 
| caption            = Gilmour at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in 2024
| birth_name         = David Jon Gilmour
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1946|03|06|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Cambridge]], England
| occupation         = {{hlist|Musician|singer|songwriter}}<!--Please do not add to this list without first discussing your proposal on the talk page. -->
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
*{{marriage|[[Ginger Gilmour|Virginia "Ginger" Hasenbein]]|7 July 1975|1990|end=div}}
*{{marriage|[[Polly Samson]]|1994}}
}}
| years_active       = 1963–present
| children           = 8
| website            = {{URL|davidgilmour.com}}
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed           = yes
| genre           = {{hlist|[[Progressive rock]]|[[psychedelic rock]]|[[art rock]]|[[blues rock]]}}
| instrument      = {{hlist|Guitar|vocals}}<!--- If you think an instrument should be listed or removed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first per: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_musical_artist#instrument--->
| current_member_of = [[Pink Floyd]]
| past_member_of    = {{hlist|[[Jokers Wild (band)|Jokers Wild]]|[[Deep End (band)|Deep End]]}}
| label             = {{hlist|[[Columbia Graphophone Company|EMI Columbia]]|[[Harvest Records|Harvest]]|[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]|[[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony]]|[[EMI]]}}
| discography        = [[David Gilmour discography]]
}}}}
'''David Jon Gilmour''' ({{IPAc-en|'|g|ɪ|l|m|ɔː|r}} {{respell|GHIL|mor}}; born 6 March 1946) is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter who is a member of the rock band [[Pink Floyd]]. He joined in 1967, shortly before the departure of the founder member [[Syd Barrett]].{{sfn|Povey|2008|p=47}} By the early 1980s, Pink Floyd had become one of the highest-selling and most acclaimed acts in music history.<ref>For 250 million records sold see: {{cite web|title=Pink Floyd Reunion Tops Fans' Wish List in Music Choice Survey|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aOmothQgn6l4&refer=muse|publisher=[[Bloomberg Television]]|date=26 September 2007|access-date=2 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812212513/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aOmothQgn6l4&refer=muse|archive-date=12 August 2013}}; For 74.5 million RIAA certified units sold see: {{cite web|title=Top Selling Artists|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-selling-artists|access-date=2 August 2012|archive-date=19 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719114528/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-selling-artists|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the departure of [[Roger Waters]] in 1985, Pink Floyd continued under Gilmour's leadership and released the studio albums ''[[A Momentary Lapse of Reason]]'' (1987), ''[[The Division Bell]]'' (1994) and ''[[The Endless River]]'' (2014).

Gilmour has released five solo studio albums: ''[[David Gilmour (album)|David Gilmour]]'' (1978), ''[[About Face (album)|About Face]]'' (1984), ''[[On an Island]]'' (2006), ''[[Rattle That Lock]]'' (2015) and ''[[Luck and Strange]]'' (2024). He has achieved three number-one solo albums on the [[UK Albums Chart]], and six with Pink Floyd.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Brannigan |first=Paul |date=13 September 2024 |title='I'd like to thank everyone who's bought my new album and helped make it number 1.' David Gilmour celebrates his third solo UK number one album with ''Luck and Strange'' |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/david-gilmour-celebrates-third-solo-uk-number-one-album-with-luck-and-strange |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] |language=en}}</ref> He produced two albums by [[the Dream Academy]], and is credited for bringing the singer-songwriter [[Kate Bush]] to public attention, paying for her early recordings and helping her find a record contract.

As a member of Pink Floyd, Gilmour was inducted into the US [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1996, and the [[UK Music Hall of Fame]] in 2005. In 2003, Gilmour was made a [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE). He received the award for Outstanding Contribution at the 2008 [[Q Awards]].<ref name="qawards">{{cite web|url=http://www2.qawards.co.uk/2008/2008/10/outstanding_contribution_title.html |title=Gilmour dedicates his award to late colleague |publisher=Q Awards |access-date=20 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810050010/http://www2.qawards.co.uk/2008/2008/10/outstanding_contribution_title.html |archive-date=10 August 2011}}</ref> In 2023, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' named him the 28th-greatest guitarist.

Gilmour has taken part in projects related to issues including [[animal rights]], [[environmentalism]], [[homelessness]], [[poverty]], and [[human rights]]. He has married twice and is the father of eight children. His wife, the novelist [[Polly Samson]], has contributed lyrics to many of his songs.

{{TOC limit|limit=3}}

==Early life and education==
David Jon Gilmour was born on 6 March 1946 in [[Cambridge]], England.{{sfn|Fitch|2005|p=115}} He has three siblings: Peter, Mark and Catharine.{{sfn|Blake|2008|p=14}} His father, Douglas Gilmour, was a senior lecturer in [[zoology]] at the [[University of Cambridge]], and his mother, Sylvia (née Wilson), was a trained teacher who later worked as a film editor for the [[BBC]].<ref name="WH">{{Cite episode |series=BBC Two |title=David Gilmour: Wider Horizons |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06pyrbs |access-date=14 November 2015 |network=[[BBC]] |date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804211420/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06pyrbs |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time of Gilmour's birth, the family lived in [[Trumpington]], Cambridgeshire; after several relocations they moved to nearby [[Grantchester]].<ref>{{harvnb|Blake|2008|p=14}}: the house in Trumpington; {{harvnb|Manning|2006|pp=10–11}}.</ref>

Gilmour's parents encouraged him to pursue his interest in music, and in 1954 he bought his first single, [[Bill Haley (musician)|Bill Haley]]'s "[[Rock Around the Clock]]".{{sfn|Manning|2006|pp=10–11}} His enthusiasm was stirred the following year by [[Elvis Presley]]'s "[[Heartbreak Hotel]]", and "[[Bye Bye Love (The Everly Brothers song)|Bye Bye Love]]" by [[the Everly Brothers]] piqued his interest in the guitar. Gilmour borrowed a guitar from a neighbour, but never gave it back. Soon afterwards, he started teaching himself to play using a book and record set by [[Pete Seeger]].{{sfn|Blake|2008|pp=18–19}} At age 11, Gilmour began attending [[the Perse School|Perse School]] on [[Hills Road, Cambridge]], which he did not enjoy.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=11}} There, he met two classmates who would later become the future members of [[Pink Floyd]]: [[Syd Barrett]] and [[Roger Waters]], both of whom attended [[Cambridgeshire High School for Boys]] on the same road.{{sfn|Blake|2008|pp=15–17}}

In 1962, Gilmour began studying A-Level modern languages at the [[Anglia Ruskin University|Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology]],{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=11}} but despite not finishing the course, he eventually learned to speak fluent French.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=11}} Barrett was also a student at the college, and the two spent their lunchtimes together practising guitar.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=11}} Later that year, Gilmour joined the [[blues rock]] band [[Jokers Wild (band)|Jokers Wild]]. They recorded a one-sided album and a single at Regent Sound Studio, in [[Denmark Street]], west London, but only 50 copies of each were made.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=11}}

At age 19, Gilmour hitchhiked to [[Saint-Tropez]], France. Barrett and his friends also drove there and met up with him before they were arrested for [[Street performance|busking]].{{sfn|Blake|2008|p=50}} Gilmour and Barrett later travelled to Paris, where they camped outside the city for a week and visited the [[Louvre]].{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=18}} In this period, Gilmour worked as the driver and assistant for the fashion designer [[Ossie Clark]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Pattie|last= Boyd|title= Wonderful Tonight|date= 2007|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=CNhh0TMLmmwC&q=gilmour 53]}}</ref>

Gilmour travelled to France again in mid-1967 with [[Rick Wills]] and [[Willie Wilson (drummer)|Willie Wilson]], formerly of Jokers Wild. They performed under the name Flowers, then Bullitt, but were not commercially successful. After hearing their covers of chart hits, club owners were reluctant to pay them, and soon after their arrival in Paris, thieves stole their equipment.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=44}} Also while in France, Gilmour contributed lead vocals to two songs on the soundtrack of the film ''[[Two Weeks in September]]'', starring [[Brigitte Bardot]].<ref name="WH" /> When he returned with Bullitt to England later that year, they could not afford petrol and had to push their bus off the ferry onto the landing.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=44}}

==Career==

=== Pink Floyd ===
In 1967, [[Pink Floyd]], composed of Gilmour's Cambridge schoolmates Barrett and Waters with [[Nick Mason]] and [[Richard Wright (musician)|Richard Wright]], released their debut studio album, ''[[The Piper at the Gates of Dawn]]''.{{sfn|Mason|2005|pp=87–107}} That May, Gilmour briefly returned to London in search of new equipment. During his stay, he watched Pink Floyd record "[[See Emily Play]]" and was shocked to find that Barrett, who was suffering mental health problems, did not seem to recognise him.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=38}}

[[File:ROCK CONCERT. (FROM THE SITES EXHIBITION. FOR OTHER IMAGES IN THIS ASSIGNMENT, SEE FICHE NUMBERS 42, 97.) - NARA - 553890 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Gilmour (left) performing with [[Pink Floyd]] in 1973]]
In December 1967, after Gilmour had returned to England, he accepted an invitation to join Pink Floyd to cover for the increasingly erratic Barrett. They initially intended to continue with Barrett as a non-performing songwriter.<ref>{{harvnb|Mason|2005|pp=109–111}}: (primary source); {{harvnb|Povey|2008|p=47}}: (secondary source).</ref> One of the band's business partners, [[Peter Jenner]], said the plan was to have Gilmour "cover for Barrett's eccentricities".{{sfn|Schaffner|1991|p=107}} By March 1968, working with Barrett had become too difficult and he agreed to leave the band.{{sfn|Blake|2008|pp=112}} Mason later said: "After Syd, Dave was the difference between light and dark. He was absolutely into form and shape and he introduced that into the wilder numbers we'd created. We became far less difficult to enjoy, I think."<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1995 |title=The 30-Year Technicolor Dream |journal=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]}}</ref> In 1970, Gilmour attended the [[Isle of Wight Festival 1970|Isle of Wight Festival]] and assisted in a live mix of a [[Jimi Hendrix]] performance.<ref name="loudersound">{{cite web |last=Ewing |first=Jerry |date=12 March 2019 |title=David Gilmour: I mixed Jimi Hendrix's sound at the Isle Of Wight |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/david-gilmour-i-mixed-jimi-hendrixs-sound-at-the-isle-of-wight |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213160220/https://www.loudersound.com/news/david-gilmour-i-mixed-jimi-hendrixs-sound-at-the-isle-of-wight |archive-date=13 February 2023 |access-date=13 February 2023 |website=[[Prog (magazine)|Prog]] |publisher=}}</ref>

[[File:David Gilmour and stratocaster.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Gilmour performing with Pink Floyd in the mid-1970s]]
In the 1970s, Gilmour received a copy of a demo tape by the teenage songwriter [[Kate Bush]] from Ricky Hopper, a mutual friend of both families. Impressed, Gilmour paid for Bush, then 16, to record three professional demo tracks to present to record labels.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cowley |first=Jason |date=7 February 2005 |title=The Wow Factor |magazine=[[New Statesman]] |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/node/149907 |access-date=29 June 2017 |archive-date=14 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214182833/http://www.newstatesman.com/node/149907 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine, 8 February 1990, pp&nbsp;21–2: "The Sensual Woman" by Sheila Rogers.</ref> The tape was produced by Gilmour's friend [[Andrew Powell]], who went on to produce Bush's first two studio albums, and the sound engineer [[Geoff Emerick]].<ref>{{cite journal |date=September 1990 |title=The Rightful Heir? |journal=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |number=48}}</ref> Gilmour arranged for [[EMI Records|EMI]] executive Terry Slater to hear the tape,<ref name="Soundscape">{{cite journal |last=Kruse |first=Holly |date=November 2000 |title=Kate Bush: Enigmatic chanteuse as pop pioneer |url=http://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/DATABASES/TRA/Kate_Bush.shtml |journal=Soundscapes.info, Online Journal on Media Culture |volume=3 |issn=1567-7745 |access-date=29 June 2017 |archive-date=1 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101025121/http://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/DATABASES/TRA/Kate_Bush.shtml |url-status=live }}, Originally published in {{cite journal |year=1988 |journal=Tracking: Popular Music Studies |volume=1 |issue=1 |title=Kate Bush: Enigmatic chanteuse as pop pioneer}}</ref> and he signed her.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kate Bush |url=http://www.emi-premier.co.uk/loader.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226142058/http://www.emi-premier.co.uk/loader.html |archive-date=26 February 2012 |publisher=[[EMI]]}}</ref> Gilmour is credited as the executive producer on two tracks on Bush's debut studio album, ''[[The Kick Inside]]'' (1978), including her second single "[[The Man with the Child in His Eyes]]".<ref name="Mabbett-12">{{cite book |last=Miles |first=Barry |title=Pink Floyd the visual documentary |author2=Andy Mabbett |publisher=Omnibus |year=1994 |isbn=0-7119-4109-2 |edition=Updated |location=London}}</ref> He performed backing vocals on "Pull Out the Pin" on her fourth studio album, ''[[The Dreaming (album)|The Dreaming]]'' (1982),<ref name="Mabbett-12" /> and played guitar on "[[Love and Anger (song)|Love and Anger]]" and "Rocket's Tail" on her sixth, ''[[The Sensual World]]'' (1989).<ref name="Mabbett-12" /> In 1975, Gilmour played on [[Roy Harper (singer)|Roy Harper]]'s album ''[[HQ (album)|HQ]]'' (1975).<ref name="Mabbett-12" />

=== First solo works ===
By the late 1970s, Gilmour had begun to think that his musical talents were being underused by Pink Floyd. In 1978, he released his first solo album, ''[[David Gilmour (album)|David Gilmour]]'', which showcased his guitar playing and songwriting. Music written during the finishing stages of the album, but too late to be used, became "[[Comfortably Numb]]" on the Pink Floyd album ''[[The Wall]]'' (1979).{{sfn|Schaffner|1991|pp=221–222}}

The relationship between Gilmour and Waters deteriorated during the making of the [[Pink Floyd – The Wall|''Wall'' film]] and the album ''[[The Final Cut (album)|The Final Cut]]'' (1983).{{sfn|Povey|Russell|1997|p=185}} This negative atmosphere led Gilmour to produce his second solo studio album, ''[[About Face (album)|About Face]]'', in 1984.,<ref name="Mabbett-12"/> which he used to express his feelings about a range of topics, from his relationship with Waters to the [[murder of John Lennon]].<ref name="Mabbett-12"/> Gilmour toured Europe and the US, supported by the [[Television Personalities]], who were dropped after the singer, Dan Treacy, revealed Barrett's address on stage.{{sfn|Schaffner|1991|p=123}} Mason also made a guest appearance on the UK leg of the tour, which despite some cancellations eventually turned a profit.{{sfn|Blake|2008|p=304}} When he returned from touring, Gilmour played guitar with a range of artists and produced [[the Dream Academy]], including their US top-ten hit "[[Life in a Northern Town]]" (1986).{{sfn|Blake|2008|p=312}}

[[File:David Gilmour - 1984, Abou Face tour.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Gilmour in 1984]]
Gilmour co-wrote five songs on Roy Harper's album ''[[The Unknown Soldier (album)|The Unknown Soldier]]'' (1980), including "Short and Sweet", which was first recorded for Gilmour's first solo album.<ref name="Mabbett-12"/> In April 1984, Harper made a surprise guest appearance at Gilmour's [[Hammersmith Odeon]] gig to sing "Short and Sweet".<ref name="Mabbett-12"/> This was included in Gilmour's ''Live 1984'' concert film. Harper also provided backing vocals on Gilmour's second solo studio album ''About Face'' (1984).<ref name="Mabbett-12"/>

In 1985, Gilmour played on [[Bryan Ferry]]'s sixth solo album, ''[[Boys and Girls (album)|Boys and Girls]]'', and on the song "Is Your Love Strong Enough" for the US release of the [[Ridley Scott]] film ''[[Legend (1985 film)|Legend]]'' (1985). The music video for "Is Your Love Strong Enough" incorporated Ferry and Gilmour into footage from the film.<ref name="Mabbett-12"/> In July that year, Gilmour played with Ferry at the [[Live Aid#London, Wembley Stadium|Live Aid]] concert at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] in London.<ref name="Mabbett-12"/> He contributed to Pete Townshend's 1985 album ''[[White City: A Novel]]'', including the single "[[Give Blood (song)|Give Blood]]",<ref>{{cite web |last=Pidgeon |first=John |url=http://www.thewho.net/petetownshend/bestofln.htm |work=The Hypertext Who |title=Pete Townshend in conversation with John Pidgeon |date=January 1996 |access-date=6 June 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214013633/http://www.thewho.net/petetownshend/bestofln.htm |archive-date=14 December 2013}}</ref> and the 1985 [[Grace Jones]] album ''[[Slave to the Rhythm (album)|Slave to the Rhythm]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 1990 |title=The Rightful Heir? |url=http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t1475-david-gilmour-rightful-heir-q.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927221338/http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t1475-david-gilmour-rightful-heir-q.html |archive-date=27 September 2011 |access-date=23 July 2011 |website=Q Magazine No. 48 }}</ref>  Gilmour also played guitar on [[Paul McCartney]]'s 1984 hit single ''[[No More Lonely Nights]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://americansongwriter.com/the-meaning-behind-no-more-lonely-nights-by-paul-mccartney-and-the-guitar-legend-who-helped-with-the-track/|title=The Meaning Behind "No More Lonely Nights" by Paul McCartney and the Guitar Legend Who Helped with the Track|first=Jim|last=Beviglia|date=27 February 2024|website=American Songwriter}}</ref> on the title track of [[Supertramp]]'s 1985 album ''[[Brother Where You Bound]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=The Life and Times of a Second Call Studio Musician Part 17 – Marty Walsh |url=https://www.martywalsh.com/the-life-and-times-of-a-second-call-studio-musician-part-17/ |access-date=20 May 2025}}</ref> and on three tracks of the 1986 album ''Persona'' by the classical guitarist [[Liona Boyd]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/persona-mw0000851071|title=Persona - Liona Boyd &#124; Album &#124; AllMusic|via=www.allmusic.com}}</ref>

=== Leading Pink Floyd ===
In 1985, Waters declared that Pink Floyd were "a spent force creatively" and attempted to dissolve the band. Gilmour and Mason announced that they intended to continue without him. Waters resigned in 1987, leaving Gilmour as the band leader. In 1986, Gilmour purchased the houseboat ''[[Astoria (recording studio)|Astoria]]'', moored it on the [[River Thames]] near [[Hampton Court Palace|Hampton Court]], London, and converted it into a recording studio.{{sfn|Blake|2008|p=318}} He produced the Pink Floyd studio album ''[[A Momentary Lapse of Reason]]'' in 1987, with contributions from Mason and Wright.<ref name="Mabbett-12"/> Gilmour believed Pink Floyd had become too driven by lyrics under Waters' leadership, and attempted to "restore the balance" of music and lyrics''.<ref>{{Harvnb|Schaffner|1991|p=274}}</ref>'' In March 1987, Gilmour played guitar for Kate Bush's performance of "[[Running Up That Hill]]" at [[The Secret Policeman's Balls|the Secret Policeman's Third Ball]].<ref name="Mabbett-12" />

Pink Floyd released their second album under Gilmour's leadership, ''[[The Division Bell]],'' in 1994.<ref name="Mabbett-12"/> In December 1999, Gilmour played guitar, alongside [[Mick Green]], [[Ian Paice]], [[Pete Wingfield]], and Chris Hall, for [[Paul McCartney]], at a concert at [[the Cavern Club]], in Liverpool, England. This resulted in the concert film ''[[Live at the Cavern Club]]'', directed by Geoff Wonfor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Paul McCartney Concert Setlist at Cavern Club, Liverpool on December 14, 1999 |url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/paul-mccartney/1999/cavern-club-liverpool-england-bd521ca.html |access-date=21 May 2014 |publisher=setlist.fm |archive-date=22 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522013309/http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/paul-mccartney/1999/cavern-club-liverpool-england-bd521ca.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2000s: Pink Floyd reunion and ''On an Island'' ===
In 2001 and 2002, Gilmour performed six acoustic solo concerts in London and Paris, along with a small band and choir, which was documented on the ''[[David Gilmour in Concert|In Concert]]'' release.{{sfn|Povey|2008|pp=306, 314–315}} On 24 September 2004, he performed a three-song set at [[the Strat Pack]] concert at London's [[Wembley Arena]], marking the 50th anniversary of the [[Fender Stratocaster]].{{sfn|Povey|2008|p=315}}

On 2 July 2005, Pink Floyd reunited with Waters to perform at [[Live 8]]. The performance caused a sales increase of Pink Floyd's compilation album ''[[Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd]]'' (2001).<ref name="giveback">{{cite web |title=Pink Floyd gives back |url=http://www.soulshine.ca/news/newsarticle.php?nid=2241 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815025128/http://www.soulshine.ca/news/newsarticle.php?nid=2241 |archive-date=15 August 2011 |access-date=2 December 2007}}</ref> Gilmour donated his profits to charities that reflect the goals of Live 8, saying: "Though the main objective has been to raise consciousness and put pressure on the [[G8]] leaders, I will not profit from the concert. This is money that should be used to save lives."<ref name="giveback" /> He called upon all Live 8 artists to donate their extra revenue to Live 8 fundraising. After the concert, Pink Floyd turned down an offer to tour the US for £150&nbsp;million.<ref name="askmen">{{cite web |title=Pink Floyd offered millions to tour |url=http://www.askmen.com/celebs/entertainment-news/pink/pink-floyd-offered-millions-to-tour.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219091320/http://www.askmen.com/celebs/entertainment-news/pink/pink-floyd-offered-millions-to-tour.html |archive-date=19 December 2008 |access-date=2 December 2007}}</ref>

[[File:David Gilmour in Munich July 2006-ed-.JPG|thumb|right|upright=0.9|Gilmour performing in [[Munich]], 2006]]
In 2006, Gilmour said that Pink Floyd would likely never tour or write material again: "I think enough is enough. I am 60 years old. I don't have the will to work as much any more. Pink Floyd was an important part in my life, I have had a wonderful time, but it's over. For me it's much less complicated to work alone."<ref name="repubblica">{{cite web |date=3 February 2006 |title=Il requiem di David Gilmour "I Pink Floyd? Sono finiti" |url=http://www.repubblica.it/2006/b/sezioni/spettacoli_e_cultura/gilmo/gilmo/gilmo.html |access-date=20 July 2011 |work=la Repubblica |archive-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608025104/http://www.repubblica.it/2006/b/sezioni/spettacoli_e_cultura/gilmo/gilmo/gilmo.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 6 March, Gilmour's 60th birthday, he released his third solo album, ''[[On an Island]]''.{{sfn|Blake|2008|p=387}} It featured guest musicians including Wright and lyrics by Gilmour's wife, the writer [[Polly Samson]].{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|pp=139–140}} It debuted at number 1 on the [[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="dg1">{{cite web |title=David Gilmour Biography |url=http://www.davidgilmour.com/island.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203041905/http://www.davidgilmour.com/island.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=3 December 2007 |access-date=4 December 2007}}</ref> and became Gilmour's first solo album to enter the top ten in the US, reaching number six on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name="bbd1">{{cite magazine |date=25 March 2006 |title=Top 200 Albums (March 26, 2006) |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2006-03-25 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=4 October 2015 |archive-date=8 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508071251/http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2006-03-25 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 21 September 2011 ''On an Island'' was [[music recording sales certification|certified gold]] in Canada, with sales of more than 50,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gold/Platinum |url=https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=On+An+Island%20David+Gilmour |website=Music Canada |access-date=6 June 2024 |date=21 September 2011}}</ref>

Gilmour toured Europe, US and Canada in May 2006, with a band including Wright and the Pink Floyd collaborators [[Dick Parry]], [[Guy Pratt]], and [[Jon Carin]].{{sfn|Povey|2008|pp=306–310}} A DVD, ''Remember That Night&nbsp;– Live at the Royal Albert Hall'', was released on 17 September 2007.{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|pp=141–142}} For the final show, Gilmour performed with the 38-piece string section of the [[Polish Baltic Philharmonic]] orchestra.{{sfn|Povey|2008|p=310}} It was released as ''[[Live in Gdańsk]]'' (2008).<ref name="Mabbett-2">{{harvnb|Mabbett|2010|p={{page needed|date=May 2021}}}}</ref>

In December 2006, Gilmour released a tribute to Barrett, who died that year, in the form of his own version of Pink Floyd's first single, "[[Arnold Layne]]".{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|pp=140–141}} Recorded live at London's Royal Albert Hall, it featured versions of the song performed by Wright and [[David Bowie]].{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|pp=140–141}} It reached number 19 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="acharts">{{cite web |title=Arnold Layne chart position |url=http://acharts.us/song/11777 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113024916/http://acharts.us/song/11777 |archive-date=13 November 2011 |access-date=4 December 2007 |website=αCharts}}</ref> In early 2007, Gilmour reconvened his touring band and spent a week recording in a barn in his farm. Some of the recordings were released on his later solo albums.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Collis |first=Clark |date=15 September 2015 |title=David Gilmour on Pink Floyd's end: 'I can't really see myself going back' |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/09/15/david-gilmour-pink-floyd/ |access-date=4 May 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |language=en}}</ref>

On 25 May 2009, Gilmour participated in a concert at the [[Union Chapel, Islington|Union Chapel in Islington]], London, with the Malian musicians [[Amadou & Mariam]]. The concert was part of the Hidden Gigs campaign against hidden homelessness, organised by the charity [[Crisis (charity)|Crisis]].<ref>{{cite web |date=27 May 2009 |title=Pink Floyd news resource |url=http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/concerts/amadou-mariam-with-david-gilmour-union-chapel-london-may-25.html |access-date=20 July 2011 |publisher=Brain Damage |archive-date=15 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615125819/http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/concerts/amadou-mariam-with-david-gilmour-union-chapel-london-may-25.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 4 July, Gilmour joined his friend [[Jeff Beck]] onstage at the [[Royal Albert Hall]], London. Gilmour and Beck traded solos on "Jerusalem" and closed the show with "[[Hi Ho Silver Lining]]". In August 2009, Gilmour released an online single, "Chicago&nbsp;– Change the World", to promote awareness for [[Gary McKinnon]], who was accused of computer hacking. A retitled cover of the [[Graham Nash]] song "[[Chicago (Graham Nash song)|Chicago]]", it featured MicKinon, [[Chrissie Hynde]] and [[Bob Geldof]]. It was produced by the longtime Pink Floyd collaborator Chris Thomas.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chicago |url=http://www.londontv.net/freegarymckinnon.html |access-date=4 August 2009 |archive-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226005557/http://www.londontv.net/freegarymckinnon.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2010s: Reunion with Waters and ''Rattle that Lock''===
[[File:London, The O2, The Wall Live, 2011-05-12 (19) (6203136479).jpg|thumb|Gilmour with the Pink Floyd drummer [[Nick Mason]] (left) at [[the O2]], London, during [[The Wall Live (2010–2013)|The Wall Live]], 12 May 2011.]]

On 11 July 2010, Gilmour performed for the charity Hoping Foundation with Waters in Oxfordshire, England.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=12 July 2010 |title=Pink Floyd's Gilmour and Waters Stun Crowd With Surprise Reunion |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/179757 |url-status=dead |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715012715/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/179757 |archive-date=15 July 2010 |access-date=20 July 2011}}</ref> According to onlookers, it seemed that Gilmour and Waters had ended their feud, laughing and joking with their partners. On 12 May 2011, Gilmour made a surprise performing appearance during "Comfortably Numb" with Waters at [[the O2]], London and, with Nick Mason, played with the rest of the band on "[[Outside the Wall (song)|Outside the Wall]]" at the conclusion of the show.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 May 2011 |title=Pink Floyd bandmates reunite at Roger Waters concert |url=http://www.viagogo.co.uk/News/Pink-Floyd-bandmates-reunite-at-Roger-Waters-concert/_A-1710 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020033144/http://www.viagogo.co.uk/News/Pink-Floyd-bandmates-reunite-at-Roger-Waters-concert/_A-1710 |archive-date=20 October 2013 |access-date=14 October 2013 |publisher=[[viagogo]]}}</ref>

That October, Gilmour released an album with the electronic duo [[the Orb]], ''[[Metallic Spheres]]''. ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' wrote that Gilmour "sweeps in and out on guitar, dropping little shiver-inducing melodic runs like it's no big deal. Though his playing here meanders by design, Gilmour sounds neither lazy nor indulgent, more like a virtuoso who doesn't want to actually seem like he's sleepwalking through his performance."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harvell |first=Jess |date=4 October 2010 |title=The Orb / David Gilmour: Metallic Spheres |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14692-metallic-spheres/ |access-date=18 September 2024 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

Gilmour and Mason revisited recordings made with Wright during the ''Division Bell ''sessions to create a new Pink Floyd album, ''[[The Endless River]]'', released on 7 November 2014.''<ref>{{cite web |last=Rosen |first=Craig |date=9 October 2014 |title=Pink Floyd Returns With First New Song From Final Album ''The Endless River'' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/bp/pink-floyd-returns-with-first-new-song-from-final-album--the-endless-river-195800138.html |access-date=21 January 2025 |work=Yahoo! Music |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314102747/https://www.yahoo.com/music/bp/pink-floyd-returns-with-first-new-song-from-final-album--the-endless-river-195800138.html |archive-date=14 March 2016}}</ref>'' Gilmour said it would be Pink Floyd's last  album: "I think we have successfully commandeered the best of what there is ... It's a shame, but this is the end."<ref name="bbcend">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0288yhn|title=Shaun Keaveny, with a Pink Floyd Exclusive, Pink Floyd Talk to 6 Music's Matt Everitt|last=Everitt|first=Matt|date=9 October 2014|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=9 July 2018|archive-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111133444/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0288yhn|url-status=live}}</ref> There was no supporting tour, as Gilmour felt it was impossible without Wright.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/david-gilmour-theres-no-room-in-my-life-for-pink-floyd-20141029|title=David Gilmour: There's No Room in My Life for Pink Floyd|last=Greene|first=Andy|date=29 October 2014|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=9 November 2014|archive-date=8 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108190911/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/david-gilmour-theres-no-room-in-my-life-for-pink-floyd-20141029|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neptunepinkfloyd.co.uk/david-gilmours-new-album-coming-along-very-well-in-2015|title=David Gilmour's New Album "Coming Along Very Well..." in 2015|date=29 October 2014|website=Neptune Pink Floyd|access-date=9 November 2014|archive-date=9 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109154915/http://www.neptunepinkfloyd.co.uk/david-gilmours-new-album-coming-along-very-well-in-2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2015, Gilmour reiterated that Pink Floyd were "done" and that to reunite without Wright would be wrong.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/14/pink-floyd-are-done-says-dave-gilmour|title=Pink Floyd are 'done', says Dave Gilmour|date=14 August 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=9 July 2018|archive-date=18 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018075857/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/14/pink-floyd-are-done-says-dave-gilmour|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2015, Gilmour released his fourth solo album, ''[[Rattle That Lock]]''.<ref name="consequence.net David Gilmour fourth solo studio album">{{cite web |date=7 June 2015 |title=David Gilmour previews new solo album Rattle That Lock: Pink Floyd member's first record in 10 years will surface this September (by Alex Young) |url=http://consequence.net/2015/06/david-gilmour-previews-new-solo-album-rattle-that-lock/ |access-date=7 June 2015 |website=consequence.net |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418224628/https://consequence.net/2015/06/david-gilmour-previews-new-solo-album-rattle-that-lock/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 14 November, he was the subject of a [[BBC Two]] documentary, ''David Gilmour: Wider Horizons.''<ref name="wider">{{cite web |title=David Gilmour: Wider Horizons |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06pyrbs |publisher=BBC |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804211420/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06pyrbs |url-status=live }}</ref> On 13 September 2017, Gilmour's live album and film ''[[Live at Pompeii]]'', which documents the two shows he performed on 7 and 8 July 2016 at the [[Amphitheatre of Pompeii]], were shown at selected cinemas.<ref name="teamrock.com David Gilmour Live At Pompeii">{{cite web |date=31 May 2017 |title=David Gilmour Returns To Pompeii – New film hits cinemas for one night only on September 13... |url=http://teamrock.com/news/2017-05-31/david-gilmour-returns-to-pompeii |access-date=31 May 2017 |website=teamrock.com |archive-date=31 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531154926/http://teamrock.com/news/2017-05-31/david-gilmour-returns-to-pompeii |url-status=live }}</ref> The album was released on 29 September 2017<ref>{{cite web |title=David Gilmour – Official Site |url=http://www.davidgilmour.com/ |website=davidgilmour.com |access-date=16 December 2005 |archive-date=20 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020184210/http://blog.davidgilmour.com/2008/09/richard.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=29 September 2017 |title=Live At Pompeii |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Live-At-Pompeii-David-Gilmour/dp/B073ZYKLLG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501580446&sr=8-1&keywords=david+gilmour+pompeii |via=Amazon |access-date=7 September 2017 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417070420/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Live-At-Pompeii-David-Gilmour/dp/B073ZYKLLG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501580446&sr=8-1&keywords=david+gilmour+pompeii |url-status=live }}</ref> and reached number three on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name="PompeiiChartUK">{{cite web |title=Official Album Chart Top 100 |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/ |access-date=10 October 2017 |website=[[OfficialCharts.com]] |archive-date=29 November 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20151129140104/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/ |url-status=live }}</ref> To celebrate the event, Mayor Ferdinando Uliano made Gilmour an honorary citizen of Pompeii.<ref name="Gilmour made honorary citizen of Pompeii">{{Cite web |date=7 July 2016 |title=Pink Floyd's David Gilmour made honorary citizen of Pompeii |url=https://www.factmag.com/2016/07/07/pink-floyd-david-gilmour-honorary-citizen-pompeii/ |access-date=17 February 2020 |website=Factmag.com |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518212629/https://www.factmag.com/2016/07/07/pink-floyd-david-gilmour-honorary-citizen-pompeii/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Waters and Gilmour continued to quarrel, arguing over subjects including album reissues and the use of the Pink Floyd website and social media channels.<ref name="Greene">{{Cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |date=10 December 2018 |title=Nick Mason on the State of Pink Floyd: 'It's Silly to Still Be Fighting' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pink-floyd-nick-mason-talks-roger-waters-david-gilmour-763670/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |access-date=27 September 2020 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108093832/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pink-floyd-nick-mason-talks-roger-waters-david-gilmour-763670/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Mason, who remains close to both, said in 2018 that Waters did not respect Gilmour, as that Waters "feels that writing is everything, and that guitar playing and the singing are something that, I won't say anyone can do, but that everything should be judged on the writing rather than the playing".<ref name="Greene"/>

=== 2020s: "Hey, Hey, Rise Up!" and ''Luck and Strange'' ===
[[File:MickFltwoodPall250220-53.jpg|thumb|Gilmour performing with [[Mick Fleetwood]] in 2020]]
From April 2020, Gilmour appeared in a series of [[Livestreaming|livestreams]] with his family, performing songs by Barrett and [[Leonard Cohen]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch David Gilmour performing Syd Barrett songs whilst in lockdown |url=https://happymag.tv/watch-david-gilmour-performing-syd-barrett-songs-whilst-in-lockdown/ |access-date=15 May 2020 |language=en-US |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605173503/https://happymag.tv/watch-david-gilmour-performing-syd-barrett-songs-whilst-in-lockdown/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July, he released "Yes, I Have Ghosts", his first single since 2015. Its lyrics were written by Polly Samson and features his daughter Romany making her recording debut on backing vocals and [[harp]].<ref name="RollingStoneGhosts">{{cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=3 July 2020 |title=Hear David Gilmour's First New Song in Five Years 'Yes, I Have Ghosts' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/david-gilmour-yes-i-have-ghosts-1023745/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=3 July 2020 |archive-date=3 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703101549/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/david-gilmour-yes-i-have-ghosts-1023745/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2021, ''Rolling Stone'' noted that Gilmour and Waters had "hit yet another low point in their relationship".<ref name="RSAnimals2">{{cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |date=1 June 2021 |title=Roger Waters Announces 'Animals' Deluxe Edition, Plans for a Memoir |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roger-waters-announces-animals-deluxe-edition-plans-memoir-1176303/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=2 June 2021 |archive-date=13 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013222550/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roger-waters-announces-animals-deluxe-edition-plans-memoir-1176303/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In early 2023, Gilmour's wife, Polly Samson, wrote on Twitter that Waters was antisemitic and "a lying, thieving, hypocritical, tax-avoiding, lip-synching, misogynistic, sick-with-envy megalomaniac". Gilmour responded to the tweet on Twitter: "Every word demonstrably true."<ref name=":16">{{cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=7 February 2023 |title=Roger Waters Is 'Antisemitic to Rotten Core,' Says Former Pink Floyd Lyricist Polly Samson — and Her Husband, David Gilmour, Emphatically Agrees |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/roger-waters-antisemitic-says-polly-samson-david-gilmour-agrees-pink-floyd-ukraine-1235515432/ |access-date=8 February 2023 |website=[[Variety (website)|Variety]] |publisher= |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224214/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/roger-waters-antisemitic-says-polly-samson-david-gilmour-agrees-pink-floyd-ukraine-1235515432/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2022, Gilmour and Mason reformed Pink Floyd to release the song "[[Hey, Hey, Rise Up!]]" in protest of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. It samples a performance of the 1914 Ukrainian anthem "[[Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow]]" performed by the Ukrainian musician [[Andriy Khlyvnyuk]].<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Alexis |first=Petridis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |date=7 April 2022 |title='This is a crazy, unjust attack': Pink Floyd re-form to support Ukraine |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/apr/07/pink-floyd-reform-to-support-ukraine |access-date=7 April 2022 |archive-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809192321/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/apr/07/pink-floyd-reform-to-support-ukraine |url-status=live }}</ref> Gilmour said the song was a "one-off for Pink Floyd".<ref name="Rolling Stone2">{{cite magazine |date=8 April 2022 |title=David Gilmour: Why I'm Bringing Back Pink Floyd After 28 Years |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/pink-floyd-david-gilmour-ukraine-interview-1334514/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=8 April 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412010603/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/pink-floyd-david-gilmour-ukraine-interview-1334514/ |archive-date=12 April 2022}}</ref>

In 2024, Gilmour contributed guitar to a new version of [[Mark Knopfler]]'s "[[Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero]]" in aid of the [[Teenage Cancer Trust]].<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.nme.com/news/music/mark-knopfler-recruits-bruce-springsteen-brian-may-ronnie-wood-teenage-cancer-trust-single-3584338 | title= Mark Knopfler recruits Bruce Springsteen, Brian May, Ronnie Wood and more for Teenage Cancer Trust single | work=NME | first=Liberty | last=Dunworth | date=8 February 2024 | access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref> On 6 September, he released his fifth solo album, ''[[Luck and Strange]].''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Helen |date=6 September 2024 |title=David Gilmour review, Luck and Strange: Graceful ruminations on love and mortality |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/david-gilmour-review-luck-and-strange-polly-samson-b2607577.html |access-date=6 September 2024 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> It was recorded over five months in [[Brighton]] and London with the producer [[Charlie Andrew]]. Gilmour said Andrew challenged him musically as he "has a wonderful lack of knowledge or respect for this past of mine".<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=24 April 2024 |title=David Gilmour to Release New Album, ''Luck and Strange'', This Fall |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/david-gilmour-luck-and-strange-solo-album-1235009520/ |access-date=24 April 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430212619/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/david-gilmour-luck-and-strange-solo-album-1235009520/ |archive-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> Samson wrote the majority of the lyrics, which she said reflected themes of mortality and ageing.<ref name=":2" /> The album features keyboards recorded by Wright in 2007, lyrics from Gilmour's son Charlie, and harp and vocals from his daughter Romany.<ref name=":2" /> Gilmour felt ''Luck and Strange'' was his best work since ''The Dark Side of the Moon''.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Surej |date=6 August 2024 |title=David Gilmour says new solo album is the 'best' music he's made since ''The Dark Side of the Moon'' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/david-gilmour-says-new-solo-album-is-the-best-music-hes-made-since-the-dark-side-of-the-moon-3781177 |access-date=11 August 2024 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> It became Gilmour's third album to reach number one on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name=":3" />

Gilmour contributed guitar to a cover of "Comfortably Numb" by the American metal band [[Body Count (band)|Body Count]], released in September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owen |first=Matt |date=20 September 2024 |title="The initial contact from Ice-T was for permission to use the song, but I thought I might offer to play on it as well": Body Count and David Gilmour release radical reimagining of Comfortably Numb in 2024's most surprising crossover |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/body-count-david-gilmour-comfortably-numb |access-date=20 September 2024 |website=[[Guitar World]] |language=en}}</ref> He began a tour for ''Luck and Strange'' in September 2024, with performances in London, Rome, Los Angeles and New York.<ref name=":12">{{Cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=13 May 2024 |title=David Gilmour sets first US tour dates in eight years |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/david-gilmour-us-tour-dates-1235019330/ |access-date=16 May 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516111551/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/david-gilmour-us-tour-dates-1235019330/ |archive-date=16 May 2024}}</ref> He replaced some musicians in his touring band, saying he wanted to use more creative musicians and avoid "sticking quite so slavishly to the original records".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |date=26 August 2024 |title=David Gilmour on his new LP ''Luck and Strange'', and plans for upcoming tour |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/david-gilmour-luck-and-strange-tour-1235084401/ |access-date=24 September 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828180656/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/david-gilmour-luck-and-strange-tour-1235084401/ |archive-date=28 August 2024}}</ref> He plans to record another album with the same musicians soon after completing the tour.<ref name=":23"/>

== Artistry ==
Gilmour credits guitarists such as [[Pete Seeger]],<ref name="bonner">{{cite web|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/blog/the-view-from-here/interview-david-gilmour-99501/4|title=An interview with David Gilmour – Page 4 of 8 – Uncut|first=Michael|last=Bonner|date=6 March 2017|work=Uncut|access-date=7 May 2018|archive-date=7 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507153709/http://www.uncut.co.uk/blog/the-view-from-here/interview-david-gilmour-99501/4|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Lead Belly]],<ref name="bonner"/> [[Jeff Beck]],<ref name="bonner"/> [[Eric Clapton]],<ref name="bonner"/> [[Jimi Hendrix]],<ref name="bonner"/> [[Joni Mitchell]],<ref name="christie's q&a">{{cite web | url= http://davidgilmour.com/guitars/Christies_Guitar_Auction_Q%26As.pdf | title= Christie's Guitar Auction – David Answers Your Questions | work= davidgilmour.com | access-date= 21 September 2019 | archive-date= 29 July 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200729060618/https://www.davidgilmour.com/guitars/Christies_Guitar_Auction_Q%26As.pdf | url-status= live }}</ref> [[John Fahey (musician)|John Fahey]],<ref name="christie's q&a"/> [[Roy Buchanan]],<ref name="christie's q&a"/> and [[Hank Marvin]] of [[the Shadows]]<ref name=":0" /> as influences. Gilmour said, "I copied – don't be afraid to copy – and eventually something that I suppose that I would call my own appeared."<ref name="christie's q&a"/>

[[File:David_Gilmour_Rattle_That_Rock_World_Tour_-_Buenos_Aires_(23226730013).jpg|thumb|Gilmour performing in [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]], during the [[Rattle That Lock Tour]], 19 December 2015. Gilmour is playing the "Workmate", a well-worn Fender Esquire, with an added neck pick-up.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Sarah |last2=Dhaliwal |first2=Ranjit |title=David Gilmour: behind the scenes with a guitar legend – in pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/ng-interactive/2015/oct/01/david-gilmour-behind-the-scenes-with-a-guitar-legend-in-pictures |access-date=6 January 2019 |website=The Guardian |date=October 2015 |archive-date=6 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106104518/https://www.theguardian.com/music/ng-interactive/2015/oct/01/david-gilmour-behind-the-scenes-with-a-guitar-legend-in-pictures |url-status=live }}</ref>]] Gilmour's [[lead guitarist|lead guitar]] style is characterised by [[blues]]-influenced phrasing, expressive note bends, and sustain. ''[[The Times]]'' wrote in 2025, "In an era of showboating, Gilmour sounded like no one else: his playing was all about tone, texture and a kind of languid grandeur."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Potton |first=Alex O’Connell {{!}} James Jackson {{!}} Ed |date=2025-01-19 |title=The 21 greatest guitarists in rock history — ranked by our experts |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/best-rock-guitarists-music-history-hendrix-beck-prince-kqsld9md6 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2006, Gilmour said, "[My] fingers make a distinctive sound... [they] aren't very fast, but I think I am instantly recognisable."<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/classic-guitar-interview-david-gilmour-2006-537288|title=Classic guitar interview: David Gilmour, 2006|website=Musicradar.com|date=30 March 2012|access-date=12 July 2016|archive-date=17 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817093356/https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/classic-guitar-interview-david-gilmour-2006-537288|url-status=live}}</ref> The Pink Floyd technician Phil Taylor said, "It really is just his fingers, his [[vibrato]], his choice of notes and how he sets his effects ... In reality, no matter how well you duplicate the equipment, you will never be able to duplicate the personality."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t11634-phil-taylor-welcome-machines-guitar.html|title=Welcome to the Machines|author=Tolinski, Brad|date=September 1994|work=Guitar World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617034157/http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t11634-phil-taylor-welcome-machines-guitar.html|archive-date=17 June 2012|url-status=usurped|access-date=29 July 2011}}</ref>

The author Mike Cormack wrote that Gilmour's playing from ''The Dark Side of the Moon'' onwards "defines the sound of Pink Floyd".{{sfn|Cormack|2024|p=115}} He cited Gilmour's third solo in "[[Dogs (Pink Floyd song)|Dogs]]" as "perhaps the finest in his entire career, a masterpiece of phrasing, spacing, tone and articulation",{{sfn|Cormack|2024|p=142}} and said the second solo in "Comfortably Numb" was "an utter master at work, leaving space, repeating and building on licks to give a sense of structure, not overplaying, building to a shrieking climax, and then fading out while leaving the listener wanting more".{{sfn|Cormack|2024|p=175}}

Gilmour also plays bass, keyboards, [[banjo]], [[lap steel]], mandolin, harmonica, drums, and saxophone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.davidgilmourtour.com/band.html|work=David Gilmour Tour Band.com|title=David Gilmour|access-date=12 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629004944/http://www.davidgilmourtour.com/band.html|archive-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> Gilmour said he played bass on some Pink Floyd tracks, such as the [[fretless bass]] on "[[Hey You (Pink Floyd song)|Hey You]]", as he could do it more quickly than Waters; he said that Waters would thank him for "winning him bass-playing polls".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Resnicoff |first=Matt |date=August 1992 |title=Careful With That Axe — David Gilmour Chops Through Pink Floyd's Past To Build A New Future |journal=[[Musician (magazine)|Musician]]}}</ref>

=== Guitars ===
For Gilmour's 21st birthday, in March 1967, his parents gave him his first [[Fender (company)|Fender]] guitar, a white [[Fender Telecaster|Telecaster]] with a white [[pickguard]] and a rosewood [[fingerboard|fretboard]]. He used this guitar when he joined Pink Floyd in 1968, with one of Barrett's Telecasters as a spare.<ref>{{cite book |last=Taylor |first=Phil |title=Pink Floyd The Black Strat: A history of David Gilmour's black Fender Stratocaster |date=2008 |publisher=Hal Leonard Books |isbn=978-1-4234-4559-3 |edition=2nd |location=New York |pages=8–9}}</ref>

==== The Black Strat ====
{{Main|The Black Strat}}
[[File:Pink Floyd Their Mortal Remains - 2017-10-13 - Andy Mabbett - 43.jpg|thumb|upright|Gilmour's "[[The Black Strat|Black Strat]]" on display at the ''[[Pink Floyd: Their Mortal Remains]]'' exhibition.<ref name="TMR">''[[Pink Floyd: Their Mortal Remains]]'' exhibition label</ref>]]

Gilmour used the Black Strat, a [[Fender Stratocaster]], in most Pink Floyd concerts and for every Pink Floyd studio album recorded between 1970 and 1983. Gilmour bought it at [[Manny's Music]] in New York City in 1970, after Pink Floyd's US tour was cancelled due to the theft of their equipment in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite book |last=Taylor |first=Phil |title=Pink Floyd The Black Strat: A history of David Gilmour's black Fender Stratocaster |date=2008 |publisher=Hal Leonard Books |isbn=978-1-4234-4559-3 |edition=2nd |location=New York |page=7}}</ref> It originally had a rosewood fretboard and a white pickguard and underwent a number of modifications, finishing with a black pickguard and maple neck.<ref>{{cite book |last=Taylor |first=Phil |title=Pink Floyd The Black Strat: A history of David Gilmour's black Fender Stratocaster |date=2008 |publisher=Hal Leonard Books |isbn=978-1-4234-4559-3 |edition=2nd |location=New York}}</ref> It was auctioned for charity in 2019 for $3.9 million,<ref name="Rolling Stone 850597">{{cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=20 June 2019 |title=David Gilmour's Guitars Sell for Millions at Charity Auction |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/david-gilmour-guitars-christies-charity-auction-850597/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=17 February 2020 |archive-date=19 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219015517/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/david-gilmour-guitars-christies-charity-auction-850597/ |url-status=live }}</ref> making it one of the most expensive guitars ever sold at auction.

==== Fender Black Strat Signature Stratocaster ====
In November 2006, [[Fender Custom Shop]] announced two reproductions of Gilmour's Black Strat for release on 22 September 2008. Phil Taylor, Gilmour's guitar technician, supervised this release and has written a book on the history of this guitar.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Black Strat |url=http://www.theblackstrat.com/The_Black_Strat-home...html |access-date=30 October 2015 |work=Theblackstrat.com |archive-date=25 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025134320/http://www.theblackstrat.com/The_Black_Strat-home...html |url-status=live }}</ref> The release date was chosen to coincide with the release of Gilmour's ''[[Live in Gdańsk]]'' album.<ref>{{citation |title=David Gilmour |url=http://www.edroman.com/guitars/fender/fender_artist/david_gilmour.html |access-date=29 October 2015 |archive-date=2 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202114508/http://www.edroman.com/guitars/fender/fender_artist/david_gilmour.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Both guitars are based on extensive measurements of the original instrument, each featuring varying degrees of wear. The most expensive is the David Gilmour Relic Stratocaster which features the closest copy of wear on the original guitar. A pristine copy of the guitar is also made, the David Gilmour NOS Stratocaster.<ref>{{citation |title=Fender David Gilmour Signature Series Stratocaster |date=2 February 2009 |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/fender_david_gilmour_signature_series_stratocaster |work=[[Guitar World]] |access-date=29 October 2015 |archive-date=3 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003015127/http://www.guitarworld.com/fender_david_gilmour_signature_series_stratocaster |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== The 0001 Strat ====
The 0001 Strat is a Fender Stratocaster with a white body, maple neck, three-way pick up selector and a gold anodised pickguard and gold-plated hardware.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hunter |first=Dave |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2SJDBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA97 |title=Star Guitars: 101 Guitars That Rocked the World |year=2014|isbn=978-0-7603-3821-6|page=97|publisher=Voyageur Press }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Dennis Lynch |date=19 April 2014 |title=The Fender Stratocaster Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/fender-stratocaster-celebrates-its-60th-anniversary-1573851 |access-date=4 October 2015 |work=International Business Times |archive-date=4 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004142508/http://www.ibtimes.com/fender-stratocaster-celebrates-its-60th-anniversary-1573851 |url-status=live }}</ref> Seymour Duncan said it was a "partscaster", as he assembled it from two different guitars.<ref name = "Guitar Mysteries: The History of #0001 Stratocaster">{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/guitar_mysteries_the_history_of_0001_stratocaster-126787 |title=Guitar Mysteries: The History of #0001 Stratocaster |website=ultimate-guitar.com |date=10 February 2022 |access-date=15 February 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307070435/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/guitar_mysteries_the_history_of_0001_stratocaster-126787 |url-status=live }}</ref> The model was used as a spare and for slide guitar in subsequent years. In 2019, the 0001 Strat was sold at auction for $1,815,000, setting a new world auction record for a Stratocaster.<ref>{{citation |title=David Gilmour's Guitars Shatter Records at Auction |date=20 June 2019 |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/david-gilmours-guitars-shatter-records-at-auction |publisher=Guitar World |access-date=20 June 2019 |archive-date=20 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620203749/https://www.guitarworld.com/news/david-gilmours-guitars-shatter-records-at-auction |url-status=live }}</ref> Gilmour also owns an early 1954 Stratocaster, believed to predate Fender's commercial release of the model.<ref name="Christies">{{citation |title=David Gilmour's legendary 'Black Strat' comes to auction |date=29 January 2019 |url=https://www.christies.com/features/David-Gilmour-legendary-Black-Strat-comes-to-auction-9637-3.aspx |publisher=Christie's |access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref>

==== Other electric guitars ====
Along with the Fender models, Gilmour has also used a [[Gibson Les Paul]] goldtop model with P-90 pick-ups during recording sessions for ''The Wall'' and ''A Momentary Lapse of Reason''.{{sfn|Fitch|2005|pp=428, 431}} Gilmour also plays a [[Gretsch 6128|Gretsch Duo-Jet]], a [[Gretsch White Falcon]], and a "White Penguin". He played a Bill Lewis 24-fret guitar during the ''[[Meddle]]'' and ''Dark Side of the Moon'' recording sessions, and a [[Steinberger]] GL model which was his main guitar during ''A Momentary Lapse of Reason'' recording sessions.{{sfn|Fitch|2005|pp=420: Bill Lewis 24-fret guitar, 431: [[Steinberger]] GL model}}

==== Acoustic ====
Gilmour has used acoustic guitars including a [[Gibson Chet Atkins SST|Gibson Chet Atkins]] classical model, and a [[Gibson J-200]] Celebrity,{{sfn|Fitch|2005|p=434}} acquired from [[John Illsley]] of [[Dire Straits]].<ref name="Christies" /> Gilmour used several [[Ovation Guitar Company|Ovation]] models including a Custom Legend 1619-4, and a Custom Legend 1613-4 nylon string guitar, both during the ''Wall'' recording sessions.{{sfn|Fitch|Mahon|2006|p=268}} [[C. F. Martin & Company|Martin]] models used include a D-35, purchased in New York in 1971,<ref name="Christies" /> and a D12-28 12-string.{{sfn|Fitch|Mahon|2006|p=268}}

==== Steel guitar ====
[[File:David Gilmour- Lap sleel guitar (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Gilmour playing [[lap steel guitar]], 1977]]

Gilmour used a pair of Jedson [[steel guitar]]s and a Fender 1000 pedal steel frequently in the early 1970s. Originally purchased from a pawn shop while Gilmour was in [[Seattle]] in 1970, the Jedson was used during recording of "[[One of These Days (instrumental)|One of These Days]]" from ''Meddle'' and "[[Breathe (Pink Floyd song)|Breathe]]" and "[[The Great Gig in the Sky]]" from ''Dark Side of the Moon''.{{sfn|Fitch|2005|p=424}} Gilmour also owns a [[Fender Deluxe Reverb|Fender Deluxe]] [[lap steel guitar|lap steel]], which he used during ''The Division Bell'' tour in 1994.{{sfn|Fitch|2005|p=434}} Gilmour also owns a Champ lap steel model. Along with the Fender steel models Gilmour has also used: a Gibson EH150, and two Jedson models: one red (1977-tuned D-G-D-G-B-E for "[[Shine On You Crazy Diamond]], Parts 6–9", 1987–2006: Tuned E-B-E-G-B-E for "[[High Hopes (Pink Floyd song)|High Hopes]]") and one blonde. He also uses a ZB steel model.{{sfn|Fitch|Mahon|2006|p=268}} Gilmour played pedal steel guitar on the album ''Blue Pine Trees'' by [[Unicorn (English band)|Unicorn]].

==== Signature pick-ups ====
In 2004 [[EMG, Inc.]] released the DG20 Signature [[guitar pick-up]] kit for the Fender Stratocaster. The set included three active pick-ups, an EXG Guitar Expander for increased treble and bass frequencies, and a SPC presence control to enhance earthiness and mid-range. The system came pre-wired on a custom 11-hole white pearl pickguard with white knobs.<ref>{{cite web |title=EMG DG20 David Gilmour Pickups |url=https://www.guitarinteractivemagazine.com/issues/issue-36/reviews/emg-dg20-david-gilmour-pickups |website=Guitar Interactive |access-date=27 May 2019 |archive-date=27 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527092941/https://www.guitarinteractivemagazine.com/issues/issue-36/reviews/emg-dg20-david-gilmour-pickups |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Legacy and impact ==
According to ''[[MusicRadar]]'', Gilmour is "a household name among the classic rock crowd, and for a lot of younger guitar fans he's the only 1970s guitarist that matters. For many he's the missing link between Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen."<ref name=":0" /> The ''MusicRader'' writer Billy Saefong wrote that Gilmour "isn't as flashy as Jimi Hendrix or [[Jimmy Page]] on the stage, but his guitar work outshines most for emotion."<ref>{{cite web |last=Saefong |first=Billy |date=7 April 2020 |title=5 songs guitarists need to hear... by David Gilmour (that aren't Comfortably Numb) |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/5-songs-guitarists-need-to-hear-by-david-gilmour-that-arent-comfortably-numb |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414082823/https://www.musicradar.com/news/5-songs-guitarists-need-to-hear-by-david-gilmour-that-arent-comfortably-numb |archive-date=14 April 2020 |access-date=30 May 2020 |work=MusicRadar}}</ref>

In 1996, Gilmour was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as a member of Pink Floyd. He has been ranked one of the greatest guitarists of all time by publications including ''[[Rolling Stone]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=100 Greatest Guitarists |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123/david-gilmour-20111122 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308012658/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123/david-gilmour-20111122 |archive-date=8 March 2013 |access-date=22 April 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=100 Greatest Guitarists: David Fricke's Picks |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time-19691231/david-gilmour-20101202 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422202732/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time-19691231/david-gilmour-20101202 |archive-date=22 April 2018 |access-date=22 April 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> and ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 July 2015 |title=The greatest guitarists of all time, in pictures |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/the-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time-in-pictures/dave-gilmour/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/the-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time-in-pictures/dave-gilmour/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=22 April 2018 |work=The Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In January 2007, ''[[Guitar World]]'' readers voted Gilmour's solos for "[[Comfortably Numb]]", "[[Time (Pink Floyd song)|Time]]" and "[[Money (Pink Floyd song)|Money]]" among the top 100 greatest guitar solos.<ref>{{cite web |title=100 Greatest Guitar Solos: 51–100 |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/article/100_greatest_guitar_solos_51100?page=0%2C1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130215346/http://www.guitarworld.com/article/100_greatest_guitar_solos_51100?page=0%2C1 |archive-date=30 November 2010 |access-date=9 August 2010 |work=Guitar World}}</ref> He was voted the 36th-greatest rock singer by [[Planet Rock (radio station)|Planet Rock]] listeners in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 January 2009 |title=Robert Plant voted rock's greatest voice |url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/robert-plant-voted-rocks-greatest-voice-190343 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911033846/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/robert-plant-voted-rocks-greatest-voice-190343 |archive-date=11 September 2015 |access-date=27 September 2015 |work=[[MusicRadar]]}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' named Gilmour the 14th-greatest guitarist of all time in 2011{{sfn|Wenner|2011|p=59}} and the 28th-greatest guitarist in 2023.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=13 October 2023 |title=The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-guitarists-1234814010/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101032814/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-guitarists-1234814010/ |archive-date=1 November 2023 |access-date=14 October 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

Gilmour was cited by the [[Marillion]] guitarist [[Steve Rothery]] as one of his three main influences.<ref>{{cite web |last=Blake |first=Mark |date=22 March 2017 |title=Steve Rothery: "People still think Marillion are a Scottish heavy metal band" |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/steve-rothery-people-still-think-marillion-are-a-scottish-heavy-metal-band |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206110719/https://www.loudersound.com/features/steve-rothery-people-still-think-marillion-are-a-scottish-heavy-metal-band |archive-date=6 December 2020 |access-date=1 June 2019 |work=Louder}}</ref> [[John Mitchell (musician)|John Mitchell]], the guitarist of bands including [[It Bites]] and [[Arena (band)|Arena]], also cited Gilmour as an influence.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 April 2012 |title=John Mitchell – It Bites – Interview Exclusive |url=https://www.uberrock.co.uk/interviews/55-april-interviews/4419-john-mitchell-it-bites-interview-exclusive.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601141324/https://www.uberrock.co.uk/interviews/55-april-interviews/4419-john-mitchell-it-bites-interview-exclusive.html |archive-date=1 June 2019 |access-date=1 June 2019 |work=Uber Rock}}</ref> In 2013, [[Gary Kemp]], the guitarist and songwriter of [[Spandau Ballet]] and a member of [[Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets]], argued that Gilmour's work on ''The Dark Side of the Moon'' "must make him the best guitar player in recent history".<ref>{{cite web |date=12 April 2013 |title=My six best albums: Gary Kemp |url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/391281/My-six-best-albums-Gary-Kemp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601144639/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/391281/My-six-best-albums-Gary-Kemp |archive-date=1 June 2019 |access-date=1 June 2019 |work=Express}}</ref>

==Awards and honours==

Gilmour was appointed a [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in the [[2003 Birthday Honours]], "for services to music".<ref>{{London Gazette
| issue = 56963
| date = 14 June 2003
| page = 8
| supp = y
}}</ref> The award was presented to him at [[Buckingham Palace]], on 7 November that year.<ref name="Getty-CBE">{{cite web |title=David Gilmour at Buckingham Palace, 07 November after being awarded a... |date=7 November 2003 |url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/david-gilmour-at-buckingham-palace-07-november-after-being-news-photo/2707570 |access-date=29 December 2018 |publisher=[[Getty Images]] |archive-date=30 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230082359/https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/david-gilmour-at-buckingham-palace-07-november-after-being-news-photo/2707570 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 22 May 2008, he won the 2008 [[Ivor Novello Awards|Ivor Novello Lifetime Contribution Award]], recognising his excellence in music writing.<ref name="ivors">{{cite web |date=2008 |title=Nominees |url=http://www.theivors.org/awards.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624061129/http://www.theivors.org/awards.html |archive-date=24 June 2008 |publisher=The Ivor Novello Awards}}</ref> Later that year, he was recognised for his outstanding contribution to music by the [[Q Awards]]. He dedicated his award to the Pink Floyd [[keyboardist]], [[Richard Wright (musician)|Richard Wright]], who died in September 2008.<ref name="qawards" /> On 11 November 2009, Gilmour received an honorary doctorate from [[Anglia Ruskin University]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ARU honours Floyd's Gilmour with degree |url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=455580 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523185229/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/ARU-honours-Floyds-Gilmour-with-degree.htm?ID=455580 |archive-date=23 May 2012 |access-date=9 August 2010 |publisher=Cambridge-news.co.uk}}</ref>

==Charity work==
Gilmour has supported charities including [[Oxfam]], the European Union Mental Health and Illness Association, [[Greenpeace]], [[Amnesty International]],<ref name="Mabbett-12"/> the Lung Foundation, [[Nordoff-Robbins music therapy]],<ref name="Mabbett-12"/> [[Teenage Cancer Trust]], and [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] (PETA).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.davidgilmour.com/charity.htm|title=David Gilmour {{!}} Charity {{!}} Official Website|website=davidgilmour.com|access-date=26 March 2019|archive-date=26 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326065928/http://www.davidgilmour.com/charity.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2003, Gilmour sold his house in [[Maida Vale|Little Venice]] to the [[Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer|ninth Earl Spencer]] and donated the proceeds worth £3.6&nbsp;million to [[Crisis (charity)|Crisis]] to help fund a housing project for the homeless. He has been named a vice-president of the organisation.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=David Gilmour backs Crisis urban village|url=http://www.crisis.org.uk/pressreleases.php/143/david-gilmour-backs-crisis-urban-village|magazine=Crisis|access-date=20 May 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920174755/http://www.crisis.org.uk/pressreleases.php/143/david-gilmour-backs-crisis-urban-village|archive-date=20 September 2011}}</ref> He donated £25,000 to the [[Save the Rhino]] foundation in exchange for [[Douglas Adams]]'s name suggestion for the album that became ''The Division Bell''.<ref name="Mabbett-2" />

On 20 June 2019, Gilmour auctioned 120 of his guitars for charity, at [[Christie's]] in New York, including his [[The Black Strat|Black Strat]], his #0001 and early 1954 [[Fender Stratocaster|Stratocasters]], and his 1955 [[Les Paul (guitar)|Les Paul]]. The Black Strat sold for $3,975,000, making it the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction. The auction raised $21,490,750, with the proceeds going to the environmentalist charity [[ClientEarth]].<ref name="Rolling Stone 850597" />

==Personal life==
On 7 July 1975, Gilmour married [[Ginger Gilmour|Virginia "Ginger" Hasenbein]], an American model and artist.<ref name= "GG-bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.gingerart.net/#/the-artist/4519769311|title=Ginger Art|last=Gilmour|first=Ginger|access-date=15 July 2011|archive-date=14 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714015458/http://www.gingerart.net/#/the-artist/4519769311|url-status=live}}</ref> The couple had four children.

In 1994, Gilmour married the English novelist and journalist [[Polly Samson]], who has written lyrics for many of his songs, including some on Pink Floyd albums. Gilmour and Samson have four children.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/upper-class-warriors-are-you-a-charlie-or-an-otis-6546945.html|title=Upper-class warriors – are you a Charlie or an Otis?|date=10 April 2012|access-date=12 July 2018|archive-date=13 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713163506/https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/upper-class-warriors-are-you-a-charlie-or-an-otis-6546945.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Sfn |Fitch|2005|p=116}}{{Sfn |Blake|2008|p=371}}.

An [[atheist]]<ref>{{cite news |title=About those Pink Floyd reunion rumors ... |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=31 March 2006 |access-date=6 May 2025 |via=[[Freedom From Religion Foundation]] |url=https://ffrf.org/publications/day/david-gilmour/ |quote=I'm not a believer in God or an afterlife. I'm an atheist. I'm sort of resigned to my lot in life, and content in it.}}</ref><ref>"The theme of the new album&nbsp;– those Pink Floyd habits die hard&nbsp;– is mortality. One song, '[[This Heaven]]', reflects Gilmour's atheism". ''The Sunday Telegraph'' (London), 28 May 2006, Section Seven, p. 8.</ref> who describes himself as politically [[Hard left|left-wing]], Gilmour said that his parents were "Proper [[The Guardian|''Manchester Guardian'']] readers... Some of their friends went on the [[Aldermaston Marches]]. Mine never did to my knowledge, but they were both committed to voting for the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]." He described himself as a [[socialism|socialist]], "even if I can't quite stick with party politics".<ref>{{cite journal |last=Blake |first=Mark |title= David Gilmour: The Mojo Interview |journal=Mojo  |location=London |volume=179| date=October 2008 | pages=45–46|ref=none}}</ref> In August 2014, Gilmour was one of 200 public figures to sign a letter to ''[[The Guardian]]'' expressing their hope that Scotland would vote to remain part of the UK in the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|Scottish independence referendum]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |title=Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=7 August 2014 |access-date=26 August 2014 |archive-date=17 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817131736/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2017, Gilmour endorsed the Labour leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]] in the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 UK general election]].<ref name="independent">{{cite news|last=Oppenheim|first=Maya|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/News/uk/home-news/election-2017-celebrities-vote-party-ballots-comedians-actors-footballers-steve-coogan-danny-devito-a7779151.html|title=Election 2017: The surprising and not-so surprising ways celebrities will be casting their ballots today|work=[[The Independent]]|date=8 June 2017|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=24 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624143521/http://www.independent.co.uk/News/uk/home-news/election-2017-celebrities-vote-party-ballots-comedians-actors-footballers-steve-coogan-danny-devito-a7779151.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="theguardian">{{cite news|last=Khomami|first=Nadia|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/09/students-inspired-by-corbyn-played-big-role-in-labour-surge|title=Who are celebrities voting for in 2017 General Election? The A-Z of famous names supporting Labour, the Tories, the Lib Dems and Greens|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=9 June 2017|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=14 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714094054/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/09/students-inspired-by-corbyn-played-big-role-in-labour-surge|url-status=live}}</ref> He [[Twitter|tweeted]]: "I'm voting Labour because I believe in social equality."<ref name="mirror">{{cite news|last=Milne|first=Oliver|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/who-celebrities-voting-general-election-10546843|title=Who are celebrities voting for in 2017 General Election? The A-Z of famous names supporting Labour, the Tories, the Lib Dems and Greens|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|date=8 June 2017|access-date=14 June 2017|archive-date=8 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608093345/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/who-celebrities-voting-general-election-10546843|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="twitter">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/pinkfloyd/status/866566084308209664?lang=en|title="I'm voting Labour because I believe in social equality. David Gilmour" 2/2|publisher=Twitter|date=22 May 2017|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=7 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407064545/https://twitter.com/pinkfloyd/status/866566084308209664?lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gilmour is an experienced pilot and aviation enthusiast. Under the aegis of his company, [[Intrepid Aviation]],<ref name="Mabbett-12"/> he amassed a collection of historical aircraft. He later sold the company, which he had started as a hobby, feeling that it was becoming too commercial for him to enjoy; but he kept an old [[biplane]].<ref name="brd1">{{cite web |title=Intrepid Aviation |url=http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/miscellaneous-articles/david-gilmour-and-intrepid-aviation.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021205312/http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/miscellaneous-articles/david-gilmour-and-intrepid-aviation.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=21 October 2007 |access-date=5 December 2007}}</ref> 

According to the [[Sunday Times Rich List 2018|''Sunday Times'' Rich List 2018]], Gilmour's net worth is £115 million.<ref>{{cite web |last=Millington |first=Alison |date=10 May 2018 |title=The 36 richest musicians in Britain |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/richest-musicians-in-britain-2018-sunday-times-rich-list-2018-5?r=US&IR=T |work=Business Insider |access-date=13 January 2019 |archive-date=13 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113232118/https://www.businessinsider.com/richest-musicians-in-britain-2018-sunday-times-rich-list-2018-5?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live }}</ref> He owns a home near the village of [[Wisborough Green]], Sussex.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 August 2015 |title=Former inmates appear on Pink Floyd star's new single |url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/13581033.Former_inmates_appear_on_Pink_Floyd_star_s_new_single/ |access-date=14 November 2015 |website=[[The Argus (Brighton)|The Argus]] |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032223/http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/13581033.Former_inmates_appear_on_Pink_Floyd_star_s_new_single/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, Gilmour and Samson purchased [[Medina House]], a derelict bathhouse in [[Brighton and Hove]], and had it redeveloped.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 January 2021 |title=Development of Pink Floyd rocker's new home intrigued and impressed us in 2020 |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/18983911.pink-floyd-david-gilmours-new-hove-seafront-home-impresses/ |access-date=27 August 2022 |website=[[The Argus (Brighton)|The Argus]] |language=en |archive-date=27 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827220956/https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/18983911.pink-floyd-david-gilmours-new-hove-seafront-home-impresses/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Gilmour also spends time at his recording studio houseboat [[Astoria (recording studio)|Astoria]] near [[Hampton Court Palace]].<ref name="wider" />

==Discography==
{{Main|David Gilmour discography}}
{{See also|Pink Floyd discography}}

'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[David Gilmour (album)|David Gilmour]]'' (1978)
* ''[[About Face (album)|About Face]]'' (1984)
* ''[[On an Island]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Rattle That Lock]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Luck and Strange]]'' (2024)

==Tours==
{{See also|Pink Floyd live performances}}
* About Face Tour (1984)
* [[On an Island Tour]] (2006)
* [[Rattle That Lock Tour]] (2015–2016)
* [[Luck and Strange tour]] (2024)

== See also ==
* [[List of most valuable celebrity memorabilia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Blake|first=Mark|title=Comfortably Numb: The Inside Story of Pink Floyd|year=2008|publisher=Da Capo Press|edition=1st US paperback|isbn=978-0-306-81752-6|url=https://archive.org/details/comfortablynumbi0000blak/mode/2up|url-access=registration}}
* {{cite book|last=Cormack|first=Mike|title=[[Everything Under the Sun (book)|Everything Under The Sun: The Complete Guide To Pink Floyd]]|year=2024|publisher=The History Press|isbn= 978-1803995359 }}
* {{cite book|last=Fitch|first=Vernon|title=The Pink Floyd Encyclopedia|edition=Third|year=2005|publisher=Collector's Guide Publishing, Inc.|isbn=978-1-894959-24-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HNkiAQAAIAAJ}}
* {{cite book|last1=Fitch|first1=Vernon|last2=Mahon|first2=Richard|title=Comfortably Numb: A History of "The Wall"&nbsp;– Pink Floyd 1978–1981|edition=1st|year=2006|publisher=PFA Publishing, Inc.|isbn=978-0-9777366-0-7 }}
* {{cite book|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-1-84938-370-7|last=Mabbett|first=Andy|title=Pink Floyd&nbsp;– The Music and the Mystery|edition=1st UK paperback|year=2010}}
* {{cite book|last=Manning|first=Toby|title=The Rough Guide to Pink Floyd|year=2006|publisher=Rough Guides Ltd|edition=1st US paperback|isbn=978-1-84353-575-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yHsZAQAAIAAJ|access-date=12 January 2016|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417070359/https://books.google.com/books?id=yHsZAQAAIAAJ|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|last=Mason|first=Nick|title=Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd|year=2005|publisher=Chronicle Books|edition=1st US paperback|isbn=978-0-8118-4824-4|url=https://archive.org/details/insideoutpersona0000maso_e9g7/mode/2up|url-access=registration}}
* {{cite book|last=Povey|first=Glen|title=Echoes: The Complete History of Pink Floyd|year=2008|publisher=3C Publishing Ltd.|edition=2nd UK paperback|isbn=978-0-9554624-1-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qnnl3FnO-B4C|access-date=12 January 2016|archive-date=13 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113102439/https://books.google.com/books?id=qnnl3FnO-B4C|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|last1=Povey|first1=Glen|last2=Russell|first2=Ian|title=Pink Floyd: In the Flesh: The Complete Performance History|year=1997|publisher=St. Martin's Press|edition=1st US paperback|isbn=978-0-9554624-0-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KrOPQni4yTsC|access-date=12 January 2016|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417070415/https://books.google.com/books?id=KrOPQni4yTsC|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|last=Schaffner|first=Nicholas|title=Saucerful of Secrets: the Pink Floyd Odyssey|year=1991|publisher=Dell Publishing|edition=1st US paperback|isbn=978-0-385-30684-3|url=https://archive.org/details/saucerfulofsecre00scha|url-access=registration}}
* {{cite journal<!-- |chapter=David Gilmour-->|  title= Rolling Stone: The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time|editor1-last=Wenner|editor1-first=Jann|journal=Rolling Stone|issue=1145|date=8 December 2011|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123/david-gilmour-20111122}}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Di Perna|first=Alan|title=Guitar World Presents Pink Floyd|year=2002|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=978-0-634-03286-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nQ1f7Vasrv8C|access-date=12 January 2016|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417070358/https://books.google.com/books?id=nQ1f7Vasrv8C|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|last=Fitch|first=Vernon|title=Pink Floyd: The Press Reports 1966–1983|year=2001|publisher=Collector's Guide Publishing Inc|isbn= 978-1-896522-72-2 }}
* {{cite journal|last=Fricke|first=David|title=Roger Waters: Welcome to My Nightmare&nbsp;... Behind The Wall|journal=Mojo|publisher=Emap Metro|volume=193|date=December 2009|pages=68–84}}
* {{cite book|last=Harris|first=John|title=The Dark Side of the Moon: The Making of the Pink Floyd Masterpiece|year=2005|publisher=Da Capo|isbn=978-0-306-81342-9|url=https://archive.org/details/darksideofmoonma0000harr|url-access=registration}}
* {{cite magazine|last=Hiatt|first=Brian|title=Back to The Wall|magazine=Rolling Stone|volume=1114|date= September 2010|pages= 50–57}}
* {{cite book|last= MacDonald|first= Bruno|title= Pink Floyd: through the eyes of ... the band, its fans, friends, and foes|year= 1997|publisher= Da Capo Press|isbn= 978-0-306-80780-0|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ZhojAAAACAAJ}}
* {{cite book|last=Mabbett|first=Andy|title=The Complete Guide to the Music of Pink Floyd|year=1995|publisher=Omnibus Press|edition=1st UK paperback|isbn= 978-0-7119-4301-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Miles|first=Barry|title=Pink Floyd: A Visual Documentary by Miles|year=1982|publisher= Putnam Publishing Group|location=New York|isbn=978-0-399-41001-7 }}
* {{cite book|last=Scarfe|first=Gerald|title=The Making of Pink Floyd: The Wall|year=2010|publisher=Da Capo Press|edition=1st US paperback|isbn=978-0-306-81997-1}}
* {{cite journal| last= Simmons| first= Sylvie| title= Pink Floyd: The Making of The Wall| journal=Mojo| publisher=Emap Metro| location=London| volume= 73| date= December 1999| pages= 76–95}}
* {{cite book|last1=Watkinson|first1=Mike|last2=Anderson|first2=Pete|title=Crazy Diamond: Syd Barrett & the Dawn of Pink Floyd|year=1991|publisher=Omnibus Press|edition=1st UK paperback|isbn=978-1-84609-739-3|url=https://archive.org/details/sydbarrettcrazyd00mike}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
*{{Commons-inline}}
*{{Wikiquote-inline}}
<!-- per [[WP:ELMINOFFICIAL]], choose one official website only -->
*{{Official website|http://www.davidgilmour.com/}}
*{{AllMusic|artist/david-gilmour-mn0000582930}}
*{{discogs artist}}
*{{IMDb name|id=0319592|name=David Gilmour}}
*[http://www.bootlegpedia.com/artist/David-Gilmour Bootleg recordings]

{{David Gilmour}}
{{Pink Floyd}}
{{1996 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gilmour, David}}
[[Category:David Gilmour| ]]
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century English male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century English singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century English male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century English singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Alumni of Anglia Ruskin University]]
[[Category:English blues rock musicians]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:English atheists]]
[[Category:English baritones]]
[[Category:English buskers]]
[[Category:English male guitarists]]
[[Category:English male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:English multi-instrumentalists]]
[[Category:English philanthropists]]
[[Category:English record producers]]
[[Category:English rock guitarists]]
[[Category:English male rock singers]]
[[Category:English session musicians]]
[[Category:English socialists]]
[[Category:European democratic socialists]]
[[Category:Harvest Records artists]]
[[Category:Ivor Novello Award winners]]
[[Category:Jokers Wild (band) members]]
[[Category:English lead guitarists]]
[[Category:Love Da Records artists]]
[[Category:Pedal steel guitarists]]
[[Category:People educated at The Perse School]]
[[Category:Musicians from Cambridge]]
[[Category:People from Grantchester]]
[[Category:People from Trumpington]]
[[Category:People from Wisborough Green]]
[[Category:Pink Floyd members]]
[[Category:Progressive rock guitarists]]
[[Category:British slide guitarists]]
[[Category:Weissenborn players]]