The Reason David Gilmour Didn’t Like Being Pink Floyd’s Default Leader

David Gilmour was never entirely at ease stepping into the role of Pink Floyd’s unofficial leader. In 1985, after the release of The Final Cut, Roger Waters unexpectedly left the band, effectively ending Pink Floyd’s classic lineup. This era had seen Waters, Gilmour, and drummer Nick Mason collaborate closely, with keyboardist Richard Wright having already left in 1981.

Even with Waters’ departure—who was not just the bassist but also the main songwriter and sometimes vocalist—the decision was made for Pink Floyd to press on. This shift pushed Gilmour into unfamiliar territory. “I was thrust into being band leader of Pink Floyd,” Gilmour reflected in a recent interview with The Sun. “But I feel a more collaborative approach is better for me.” Wright’s return later helped alleviate some of the pressures on Gilmour, allowing the band to regain its footing.

The release of 1987’s A Momentary Lapse of Reason showed that Pink Floyd still had the power to captivate audiences, even if it didn’t quite reach the artistic zenith of the Waters years. The band went on to greater success with 1994’s The Division Bell, which would be the last notable chapter of Pink Floyd’s storied legacy.

Reflecting on the band’s remarkable staying power, Gilmour shared his astonishment: “Joining the band and having that whole life with it was wonderful,” he told The Sun.

“It’s always amazing to me that Pink Floyd didn’t fizzle out the way others do. In some way, it has kept going to the present day.”

David Gilmour’s Upcoming Tour Dates

Gilmour is set to hit the road this fall to promote his fifth solo album, Luck and Strange. He will kick things off with shows in Italy and London before heading to the U.S. in October.

The U.S. leg will include performances in Los Angeles from October 25 to 31 and a five-show run at Madison Square Garden in New York from November 4 to 10. These concerts will mark his first live appearances in the States in eight years.