David Gilmour Plays “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” And It’ll Leave You Misty Eyed
Tiziano Demaria YouTube
David Gilmour in Concert at Royal Festival Hall Concert, 2002
Widely regarded as one of the best guitarists of the last 50 years, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour has enjoyed an immensely successful solo career – one that he’s managed to combine with his legacy as Pink Floyd’s frontman, and replacement for the late Syd Barrett. This performance features Gilmour delivering a breathtaking rendition of ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond,’ made famous by Pink Floyd with their 1975 album Wish You Were Here and still – without bandmates Roger Waters, Rick Wright and Nick Mason, David creates a performance that would render even the most stoic of people just a little misty-eyed.
Fun Fact: ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ was written by Pink Floyd as both a tribute and means of processing Syd Barrett’s mental decline.
A master musician, Gilmour kicks things off with an instrumental interlude featuring his lap steel guitar, bring an element of blues to the otherwise Floyd oriented show when he suddenly dons another guitar and launches into the version of ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ we’re so used to hearing. The added touch of an orchestra behind David makes this tribute to late Pink Floyd guitarist Syd Barrett even more poignant, and while loving this performance, it’ll make you miss the madcap young man something fierce.