David Gilmour, the legendary guitarist of Pink Floyd, has experienced a life filled with exhilarating highs and painful lows. Through every triumph and setback, music has provided the perfect soundtrack to his journey.
From an early age, Gilmour recognized that music was his true calling, and he dedicated himself to it wholeheartedly. He never imagined he would become a pivotal figure in one of the most commercially successful bands in history. Had fame eluded him, he likely would have been content performing at local pubs with friends.
Gilmour’s talent shone through when he joined Pink Floyd, stepping in during a critical moment as the band grappled with the deteriorating mental health of Syd Barrett, their original frontman. Though not a founding member, Gilmour quickly became essential to the band’s sound and success.
Before joining Pink Floyd, Gilmour made a name for himself in the Cambridgeshire music scene with his band Jokers Wild. Following their breakup, he toured Europe with former bandmates as a trio, though success remained elusive.
Reflecting on those formative years during a BBC Radio 2 interview, Gilmour fondly recalled how The Beach Boys’ classic “God Only Knows” epitomized that transformative time.
“I love The Beach Boys. My early band in Cambridge did a lot of their songs, but I didn’t want to play one of the too surfy ones,” he shared.
He praised Brian Wilson’s evolution beyond surf music, calling “God Only Knows” one of his greatest achievements.
Another significant influence on Gilmour’s early life was The Jimi Hendrix Experience. He had the unique opportunity to witness Hendrix perform live in the 1960s London music scene. “Myself and the whole place there had their jaws hanging open at this guy,” he recalled of the unforgettable experience at The Blazes Club in South Kensington.
The next day, Gilmour scoured record stores in search of Hendrix’s music, though he was surprised to find that the guitar legend hadn’t yet released any official recordings.
Gilmour’s admiration for music icons didn’t stop there. He expressed his love for The Beatles, particularly John Lennon’s “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away.” Gilmour described himself as an “absolute mad Beatles fan,” noting that this track marked a pivotal moment of Lennon’s inspiration from Bob Dylan.
He also highlighted the impact of Nina Simone, specifically her rendition of “I Put A Spell On You.” “Well, Nina Simone is one of the true great originals,” Gilmour remarked. “That recording is just magic; I heard it when I was living in Paris in 1966 or 1967, and it’s just magic. She was a wild woman.”
Notably, Gilmour mentioned his connection to Kate Bush, whom he discovered as a teenager and helped secure a record deal. While he downplayed his influence on her career, he chose her song “The Man With A Child In His Eyes” as an all-time favorite.
Interestingly, Gilmour compiled this list of favorite songs back in 2006, making it nearly 20 years old. While it’s likely that his musical tastes have evolved since then, the impact of these iconic tracks on his life remains significant.
