The legendary guitarist and singer David Gilmour was born in Cambridge, England back in 1946 and started his musical career at the age of 20 in 1963, becoming a member of Pink Floyd four years later. He was a crucial element that helped the Progressive Rock band evolve into one of the best-selling groups of all time with an estimated amount of more than 250 million records sold worldwide.
Even though he was the voice of many classic tracks from the band, Gilmour is often recalled as one of the greatest guitarists that ever existed. His tone and the incredible feeling that he puts in every note he plays, makes his sound unique. He created some of the most famous guitar solos of the history of Rock and Roll music, but there is one guitar solo from another band that he said he would like to have written.
The guitar solo David Gilmour said he would like to have written
Any Pink Floyd fan can list a huge number of incredible guitar solos from the band’s discography, like the ones in “Comfortably Numb” and “Dogs”. But David Gilmour would like to have written many other guitar solos from other bands as he revealed in a session of Questions and Answers back in 2007 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage). He was asked by a fan which song and which guitar solo he wished to have written. The musician first praised The Kinks track “Waterloo Sunset” and then revealed which was the guitar solo he would love to have written.
“There is so many, that’s very hard to answer. I think for me, about the perfect Pop song is ‘Waterloo Sunset’ by The Kinks. I’d love to have written that. Absolutely great. Guitar-wise, maybe ‘Albatross’ by Fleetwood Mac,” David Gilmour said.
It’s not a surprise that Gilmour mentioned a Fleetwood Mac song from the beginning of the band’s discography. He had always been a huge fan of the first Mac albums with the guitarist and singer Peter Green. The guitarist and singer who was a member of the band in the late 60s and early 70s. “Albatross” is an instrumental track that was Written by Green and first released in 1968 as a single.
The song became a success at the time of its release in several countries. Still is the only number one hit that Fleetwood Mac had in the United Kingdom Singles Chart.
David Gilmour performed the song at the Peter Green tribute show
Even though Fleetwood Mac only experienced a huge commercial success after Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined the group in 1975 and recorded the band’s 1975 self-titled album, the first encarnation of the band featuring Peter Green was very influential.
Those first records featuring the British guitarist and singer are credited as huge inspirations not only for Gilmour. Other artists who loved them ar Kirk Hammett, Billy Gibbons and Joe Perry.
In the beginning of 2020, the drummer Mick Fleetwood promoted a tribute show for Peter Green at the London Palladium. With famous guests like Billy Gibbons, Steven Tyler, Noel Gallagher, Pete Townshend, Kirk Hammett, Bill Wyman and David Gilmour.
The Pink Floyd guitarist and singer appeared twice during the concert. He performed “Oh Well, Part 2” and “Albatross” with the band led by Mick Fleetwood. Green didn’t appear for the tribute show and he sadly died a few months later at the age of 73.
He covered a Fleetwood Mac song with Peter Green on vocals
Besides paying tribute to Peter Green at the special concert in 2020, Gilmour was also part of the project “Peter Green – The Albatross Man”. Which was a book released in the same year to celebrate the life of the musician. To promote the publication, a new version of the Fleetwood Mac song “Need Your Love So Bad” was released. It featured the vocals of Peter Green and a new guitar track recorded by David Gilmour.
Peter had the opportunity to hear the track before he passed away. According to an official press release, he approved the new version with Gilmour’s guitar track.