Dick Parry

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Richard Parry's career was deeply rooted in the Cambridge music scene before he became synonymous with Pink Floyd. While often rumored to have played in Jokers Wild alongside David Gilmour, the source explicitly clarifies that this is incorrect; they were friends from that era but Parry remained outside that specific group. His integration into Pink Floyd began when Gilmour invited him to record on studio albums starting with The Dark Side of the Moon in 1973. This collaboration evolved into a permanent live fixture, as he appeared at every show between 1973 and 1977. During this period, his role expanded creatively; for the 1977 In the Flesh Tour, he added keyboards to specific sections of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'. He also lent his talents to other major acts, touring with The Who's brass section in 1979–1980 and playing saxophone on Banco de Gaia's 'Celestine' in 1997. His longevity was remarkable, spanning from the mid-60s Soul Committee days through a 2009 tour with the Violent Femmes.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Richard Parry is one of consistent presence and sonic versatility across decades. In 1973, he stepped into the studio to record saxophone parts for 'Money' and 'Us and Them', cementing his place on The Dark Side of the Moon. Two years later, he returned for Wish You Were Here, contributing to 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part V)'. His live work was equally significant; he performed on every Pink Floyd tour from 1973 to 1977 and again in 1994 for The Division Bell. The 2006 On An Island tour with David Gilmour showcased his expanded instrumental palette, where he played glass harmonica and additional keyboards alongside saxophone parts on 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond', 'Wearing the Inside Out', and 'Then I Close My Eyes'. These performances were captured in the DVDs Remember That Night and Live in Gdańsk.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking Richard Parry's specific contributions, the source provides a clear timeline of his essential recordings. His first major Pink Floyd appearance was on The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), specifically on 'Money' and 'Us and Them'. He returned for Wish You Were Here (1975) to play on 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part V)' and later contributed saxophone to 'Wearing the Inside Out' on The Division Bell (1994). Live documentation is extensive: he appears on the 1995 Pulse album, the 2002 David Gilmour in Concert DVD, the 2007 Remember That Night DVD (where he also played keyboards), and the 2008 Live in Gdańsk DVD (featuring glass harmonica). His discography also includes the Bloodstone album Riddle of the Sphinx (1974) and Banco de Gaia's Big Men Cry (1998). When exploring his work, note that he played saxophone on 'Celestine' for Banco de Gaia in 1997. The source confirms his death occurred on 22 May 2026 at the age of 83.

Did You Know?

• Contrary to popular reports, Richard Parry never played in David Gilmour's band Jokers Wild.
• During the 1977 In the Flesh Tour, Parry played additional keyboards on Parts I, VI, and IX of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'.
• On David Gilmour's 2006 On An Island tour, Parry played glass harmonica in addition to saxophone.
• Parry toured with The Who's brass section during their 1979–1980 world tours.
• He appeared at the Live 8 reunion specifically to perform his saxophone part on 'Money'.