By: CollegeRadio Staff

Richard Wright, founding member and keyboardist for rock band Pink Floyd, died after a battle with cancer in his Britain home on Monday, September 15. He was 65 years old.

A spokesperson released a statement Monday, saying, “The family of Richard Wright, founder member of Pink Floyd, announces with great sadness that Richard died today after a short struggle with cancer.”

Born in London in 1943, Wright had an early interest in jazz and was self-taught on piano and keyboard. He later met fellow Pink Floyd members Roger Waters and Nick Mason while in college, and in 1965, they formed the legendary band with fourth member, the late Syd Barrett. With their space-age rock sound, Pink Floyd found huge success in the psychedelic London scene.

Wright was considered a central musical force of the band, writing a considerable part of the music on the classic albums Meddle, The Dark Side of the Moon, and Wish You Were Here. His most commercially popular musical hits include “ Breathe”,“The Great Gig in the Sky” and “Us and Them,” all hugely influential songs included on the Dark Side album. After leaving Pink Floyd in the 1980’s to pursue new projects, Wright rejoined the band as a full member for 2004’s album The Division Bell.

In July of 2005, Wright reunited with Roger Waters, David Gilmour and Nick Mason to perform in London at the Live 8 charity concert. This was the first time in 25 years they had performed together on stage. Wright also worked on Gilmour’s solo projects, most recently playing on the 2006 album 'On An Island' and the accompanying world tour.

Gilmour paid tribute to Wright Monday, saying his input was often forgotten."He was gentle, unassuming and private but his soulful voice and playing were vital, magical components of our most recognized Pink Floyd sound,“ he said. "I have never played with anyone quite like him.“As thousands of devoted fans mourn the loss of this music legend, fellow band member David Gilmour expressed his grief in a posting on his official website: "I really don't know what to say other than that he was such a lovely, gentle, genuine man and will be missed terribly by so many who loved him. And that's a lot of people. Did he not get the loudest, longest round of applause at the end of every show in 2006?"

Richard Wright is survived by his wife, a daughter, two sons, and a grandson.