A statement from his family reads:

"The family of Richard Wright, founder member of Pink Floyd, announce with great sadness, that Richard died today after a short struggle with cancer. The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time."

Richard Wright was one of the four founding members of Pink Floyd alongside two of his College friends, Roger Waters and Nick Mason, and eccentric musician Syd Barrett.

Rick’s influence on the band’s early sound is often overlooked in favour of Syd’s wild experimentation, but his early drive and songwriting contributions are just as important to the legacy of Pink Floyd as that of any member in the early days.

The distinctive keyboard sound that courses through all of the band’s most influential albums was entirely Wright’s, and his ‘The Great Gig in the Sky’ and ‘Us and Them’ from 1973's The Dark Side of the Moon remain to this day two of Floyd’s most iconic works.

After falling out with Roger Waters during The Wall sessions, Rick left the group only to return as a session musician for the album and on the subsequent tour. He would not take part in the band’s Final Cut album in 1982.

When Waters left Floyd Rick immediately rejoined the group for two more studio albums, A Momentary Lapse Of Reason and Division Bell as well as the hugely successful PULSE tour and album.

Rick released two solo albums during his career – 1978’s Wet Dream and 1996’s Broken China. Both are real gems and are well worth seeking out if you haven’t go them already.

And then in 2006 Wright, along with the other members of the band, buried the hatchet as Pink Floyd reunited for a widely praised performance at Live 8.

In recent years, Rick has played keyboards in David Gilmour’s studio and touring bands alongside Planet Rock presenters Phil Manzanera and Guy Pratt (who is married to Rick’s daughter Gala).

You will be able to hear Rick’s final recorded contribution on the forthcoming Live In Gdansk album and DVD.

Our thoughts go out to Rick’s family at this time. He will be hugely missed.

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