
Richard Parry
Saxophonist and Session Musician
- Lifespan
- December 22, 1942 – May 22, 2026Dec 22, 1942 – May 22, 2026
- Location
- Suffolk, England, UKSuffolk, England, UK

Saxophonist and Session Musician
Remembering those we recently lost
Plant the first tree in their honor
Key moments and achievements from Richard Parry's life.
Richard was born
· Suffolk, England, UK
Professional Meeting
At the age of 17, Parry met the future Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, establishing a friendship that would span over six decades. This meeting in Cambridge laid the groundwork for a professional partnership that would define much of Parry's career. Their bond served as the anchor for Parry's eventual contributions to some of the most successful albums in music history.
Professional Meeting
At the age of 17, Parry met the future Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, establishing a friendship that would span over six decades. This meeting in Cambridge laid the groundwork for a professional partnership that would define much of Parry's career. Their bond served as the anchor for Parry's eventual contributions to some of the most successful albums in music history.
Album Recording
Parry provided the legendary tenor saxophone solos for the tracks 'Money' and 'Us and Them' at Abbey Road Studios. These performances became a cornerstone of the Pink Floyd sound and are recognized by billions of listeners worldwide. His contribution helped the album become one of the best-selling records of all time.
Album Recording
Parry provided the legendary tenor saxophone solos for the tracks 'Money' and 'Us and Them' at Abbey Road Studios. These performances became a cornerstone of the Pink Floyd sound and are recognized by billions of listeners worldwide. His contribution helped the album become one of the best-selling records of all time.
Career Shift
After years of high-intensity touring with Pink Floyd and The Who, Parry chose to step away from the music industry entirely. He sold his instruments and began working as a farrier, shoeing horses in the rural areas near Cambridge. This decade-long hiatus highlighted his humility and his comfort with manual craftsmanship over the rock star lifestyle.
Career Shift
After years of high-intensity touring with Pink Floyd and The Who, Parry chose to step away from the music industry entirely. He sold his instruments and began working as a farrier, shoeing horses in the rural areas near Cambridge. This decade-long hiatus highlighted his humility and his comfort with manual craftsmanship over the rock star lifestyle.
Musical Comeback
Parry reunited with Pink Floyd to record the track 'Wearing the Inside Out' for their final studio album of the 1990s. He subsequently joined the band for the massive Division Bell Tour, which was captured on the live album and film 'Pulse'. This return marked a musical redemption for the saxophonist after his long absence from the stage.
Musical Comeback
Parry reunited with Pink Floyd to record the track 'Wearing the Inside Out' for their final studio album of the 1990s. He subsequently joined the band for the massive Division Bell Tour, which was captured on the live album and film 'Pulse'. This return marked a musical redemption for the saxophonist after his long absence from the stage.
Live Performance
Parry performed alongside the classic Pink Floyd lineup of David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, and Nick Mason at Hyde Park in London. This historic event was one of the few times the full band reunited for a live performance. Parry's presence on stage reaffirmed his status as an essential part of the Pink Floyd legacy.
Live Performance
Parry performed alongside the classic Pink Floyd lineup of David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, and Nick Mason at Hyde Park in London. This historic event was one of the few times the full band reunited for a live performance. Parry's presence on stage reaffirmed his status as an essential part of the Pink Floyd legacy.
Richard Parry passed away