The death of
saxophonist Dick Parry was confirmed this Friday by Pink Floyd guitarist
David Gilmour, through his social media. Parry participated in key recordings of the British group and in Gilmour's solo projects. His solos can be
heard, among other songs, in
“Money”, “Us and Them” and “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”.
Parry became known for his interventions on albums such as The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here, where he contributed the saxophone sound that accompanied some of the most widely disseminated pieces in Pink Floyd's repertoire. He also worked with Gilmour outside the band, on subsequent tours and recordings.
David Gilmour confirmed the death of Dick Parry through his Instagram account. The friendship of both dates back to when they were teenagers (Credits: Instagram/Dick Parry)
Gilmour said that his bond with Parry went back to when they were both
17 years old and played together in different bands before the Pink Floyd era. “His sensitivity and tone make his sax unmistakable,” wrote the musician, mentioning his contribution to “Us and Them” and
“Money”.
Participation in Pink Floyd and collaboration with David Gilmour
In addition to his contributions in the studio, Parry was part of bands linked to Gilmour for decades. According to the guitarist, the saxophonist was part of the band with which Gilmour and keyboardist Rick Wright shared stages on the 2006
On An Island tour.
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Parry was also present at the Pink Floyd reunion at
Live 8 (2005), the charity concert that brought together for the only time in years the main members of the band's classic era. The continuity of the joint work, between recordings and presentations, extended from the sixties, according to the memories mentioned by Gilmour.
Dick Parry spent many years away from music, even going so far as to sell several of his instruments. However, he returned to the stage and studio in 1994 to be part of Pink Floyd's 'Division Bell' tour and album.
The Return of Dick Parry for The Division Bell in 1994
Gilmour had already recounted in 1994 how Parry returned to play with the band for the album
The Division Bell. According to that testimony, the saxophonist had spent a prolonged period away from music and dedicated to other trades, until they reconnected through a Christmas card.
The guitarist said that he invited him to an informal audition and that the decision was immediate: "He played three phrases and we decided that there was no need to continue testing. He had that
unmistakable tone". At that stage, Parry recorded again and also joined the 1994 tour, with participation in songs like "Wearing the Inside Out".
Gilmour also indicated that, during those years off stage, Parry had stopped playing, sold instruments and even worked as a farrier before returning to the studios and tours.
After the news broke, musicians and industry figures expressed condolences on social media. Among them, singer
Graham Nash and manager Merck Mercuriadis, who mentioned Parry's contribution to recordings associated with Pink Floyd.
Among the images that usually circulate among the group's followers, Parry appears live with
two saxophones, alternating them during passages of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, a scene linked to the tours in which he participated with the band and that many fans mentioned when remembering him.
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