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Gilmour Announces Death of Pink Floyd Saxophonist Dick Parry, 83

5/24/2026

Summary

Dick Parry Dies

Musician David Gilmour announced on May 22, 2026 that saxophonist Dick Parry died at age 83.
Parry’s sax appears on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon (1973) and Wish You Were Here (1975), with “Money” solo hitting No. 13.
He toured with Pink Floyd 1973-1977, rejoined for 1994 Division Bell tour and recorded with musicians Rory Gallagher, John Entwistle and Lightnin’ Slim and Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band while cause of death was undisclosed.

Summary

Gilmour Honors Parry

David Gilmour, aged 80, posted an Instagram tribute to saxophonist John Parry after his death, though the family has not disclosed the cause.
Parry, who had quit performing, was auditioned by Gilmour on a boat and then invited onto the 1994 Division Bell tour.
Born on December 22, 1942 in Kentford, Suffolk, Parry began his musical career with the Cambridge-based group The Soul Committee.

Summary

Gilmour Remembers

David Gilmour’s Instagram post about Parry’s saxophone sparked fan comments praising the “double-sax trick” on “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.”
Video uploads on the Suggest channel reported that Parry died on May 22 of an unspecified illness, with no cause released.
An Instagram carousel included archival clips of Parry’s Live 8 performance in 2005, reminding fans of his charitable stage appearances.
In a 1994 interview, Gilmour recalled a Christmas card from Parry that noted he was unemployed and living near Cambridge after quitting the saxophone.

History

Historical Context

Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon on 1 March 1973; its single “Money” climbed to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving the band its first U.S. hit and shifting them from cult status to mainstream fame. The album’s unprecedented longevity—996 weeks on the Billboard 200 by January 2026—has kept the track’s sax solo by Dick Parry a touchstone for live rock performances.

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Dick Parry Dies

Musician David Gilmour announced on May 22, 2026 that saxophonist Dick Parry died at age 83.
Parry’s sax appears on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon (1973) and Wish You Were Here (1975), with “Money” solo hitting No. 13.
He toured with Pink Floyd 1973-1977, rejoined for 1994 Division Bell tour and recorded with musicians Rory Gallagher, John Entwistle and Lightnin’ Slim and Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band while cause of death was undisclosed.

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