Dick Parry, the saxophonist who played on Pink Floyd's masterpieces, has died

Dick Parry, the saxophonist who left a decisive mark on some of Pink Floyd's most celebrated songs, has died at the age of 83. The news was announced by David Gilmour, who paid tribute to him in a message posted on social media. “My dear friend Dick Parry died this morning,” Gilmour wrote. “I've been playing with him since I was seventeen years old, first in various bands and then in Pink Floyd. His feeling and his tone made his sax immediately recognizable: a sound of extraordinary beauty, etched into the memory of millions of people through songs like 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond,' 'Wish You Were Here,' 'Us And Them' and 'Money'.”

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Parry had made a decisive contribution to the sound of “The Dark Side Of The Moon” in 1973 and “Wish You Were Here” in 1975, two of the most iconic albums in Pink Floyd's history. He also returned to collaborate with the band on “The Division Bell” in 1994, and took part in the group's tours between 1973 and 1977, the 1994 tour, and the reunion for the 2005 Live 8 benefit concert.
Besides his ties to Pink Floyd, the British saxophonist worked with numerous artists and bands, including Rory Gallagher, John Entwistle and the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. In the 2000s, he also toured with both the Who and Gilmour's solo outfits.

In a 1994 interview, Gilmour recalled how Parry came back into the Floyd fold after a long period away from music. “At Christmas I got a card from him. I hadn't seen him in years: he'd stopped playing sax altogether, was out of work and living near Cambridge. I asked him if he fancied auditioning for the tour. He told me he thought he was playing better than ever. I invited him onto the studio boat to try it out. It only took three phrases: Bob Ezrin and I looked at each other and said straight away that no audition was needed. He'd instantly found that unique sound again. You recognize it right away”.

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