Pink Floyd Members Alive, Richest, and Biggest Hit Song

Pink Floyd’s story is a study in contrasts: three of five core members are alive as of 2025, yet the richest holds a net worth of $310 million, and one refuses to play the band’s most beloved song. This guide tracks the surviving members, their fortunes, the biggest hits, and why David Gilmour steers clear of “Comfortably Numb.”

Formed: 1965 in London, England ·
Albums sold: Over 250 million worldwide ·
Studio albums: 15 ·
Grammy Awards: 5 ·
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1996 ·
Longest-running member: Nick Mason (drums)

The key facts table below summarizes the band’s essential data points.

How many of Pink Floyd members are still alive?

Pink Floyd’s core lineup included only five official members across its history. Three of them are still with us.

Original members: Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, David Gilmour

• Syd Barrett (guitar, vocals) – founding member, left in 1968 due to mental health issues (Wikipedia band history)
• Nick Mason (drums) – continuous member since 1965 (Wikipedia band history)
• Roger Waters (bass, vocals) – member from 1965 to 1985 (Wikipedia band history)
• Richard Wright (keyboards, vocals) – member from 1965 to 1979 and again from 1987 until his death (Wikipedia band history)
• David Gilmour (guitar, vocals) – joined in 1968, became primary lead vocalist after Waters left (Wikipedia band history)

Living members: Nick Mason, Roger Waters, David Gilmour

• Nick Mason (drums) – alive and active, tours with his “Saucerful of Secrets” band (South China Morning Post band status)
• Roger Waters (bass, vocals) – alive, continues solo tours and speaking engagements (South China Morning Post band status)
• David Gilmour (guitar, vocals) – alive, released his fifth solo album in 2024 (Wikipedia David Gilmour)

Deceased members: Syd Barrett (died 2006), Richard Wright (died 2008)

• Syd Barrett died in 2006 from pancreatic cancer (Wikipedia band history)
• Richard Wright died in 2008 from cancer (Wikipedia band history)

The pattern: Pink Floyd’s classic lineup was a revolving door of five unique talents. The post-Waters era (1985 onward) cemented Gilmour as the band’s voice.

What song does David Gilmour refuse to play?

David Gilmour has openly said he will not play certain Pink Floyd songs in his solo shows. The most notable is “Comfortably Numb.”

The song “Comfortably Numb” from The Wall

• Gilmour stated he dislikes playing “Comfortably Numb” because of its emotional weight and association with Roger Waters (American Songwriter Gilmour’s refusal)
• He also avoids “Money” and “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” in solo performances (American Songwriter Gilmour’s refusal)
• He linked his refusal to ownership and lyrical discomfort, saying he sticks with songs he feels are essentially his music (American Songwriter Gilmour’s statement)

Gilmour’s reason: emotional difficulty and association with Roger Waters

• During the 2005 Live 8 reunion, Gilmour reportedly refused to play “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” because he felt its anti-education lyric was inappropriate for a children’s charity event (American Songwriter Gilmour’s refusal)

Occasional exceptions: performed at live shows in 2006 and 2016

• He did play “Comfortably Numb” at his Royal Albert Hall shows in 2006 and 2016 (American Songwriter Gilmour’s exceptions)

The catch: Gilmour has made exceptions for landmark performances, but fans shouldn’t expect a regular “Comfortably Numb” in solo setlists.

What was Pink Floyd’s biggest hit song?

Pink Floyd had only one Billboard Hot 100 number-one single in the United States, but their catalog is filled with enduring classics.

Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 (1979) – their only #1 on Billboard Hot 100

• “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” was Pink Floyd’s only US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single (Rolling Stone readers’ picks)
• It sold over 4 million copies worldwide (Wikipedia band history)
• The song was part of the album “The Wall,” which is one of the best-selling albums of all time (Wikipedia band history)

Money (1973) – reached #13, but iconic

• “Money” was the first Pink Floyd song to enter the U.S. singles chart (Rolling Stone readers’ picks)
• It remains one of the band’s most recognizable crossover hits (Rolling Stone readers’ picks)

Wish You Were Here (1975) – reached #81, but enduring legacy

• The title track from the album “Wish You Were Here” is a fan favorite and often cited as one of the band’s greatest songs (Rolling Stone readers’ picks)

What this means: “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” is the chart champion, but “Money” and “Wish You Were Here” define the Floyd sound.

Who is the richest member of Pink Floyd?

Net worth estimates vary, but one name consistently tops the list.

Roger Waters – estimated net worth $310 million

• Roger Waters is the wealthiest Pink Floyd member with a net worth of around $310 million (South China Morning Post wealth ranking)
• His wealth comes from songwriting royalties, solo tours, and The Wall live shows (South China Morning Post wealth ranking)

David Gilmour – estimated net worth $180 million

• David Gilmour’s net worth has been reported at £115 million ($180 million) in the Sunday Times Rich List 2018 (Wikipedia David Gilmour)
• Another estimate puts his net worth at US$180 million (South China Morning Post wealth ranking)

Nick Mason – estimated net worth $80 million

• Nick Mason’s net worth is approximately $80 million (South China Morning Post wealth ranking)

Richard Wright (deceased) – estate valued at about $50 million

• Richard Wright’s estate is estimated at around $50 million (South China Morning Post wealth ranking)

The trade-off: Waters earned more from songwriting royalties, but Gilmour’s solo career and investments have also built substantial wealth.

Pink Floyd Timeline

The timeline below traces the band’s major milestones from formation to final releases.

• 1965 – Formation of Pink Floyd by Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright (Wikipedia band history)
• 1967 – Debut album “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” released (Wikipedia band history)
• 1968 – David Gilmour joins; Syd Barrett leaves due to mental health issues (Wikipedia band history)
• 1973 – Release of “The Dark Side of the Moon” – becomes global phenomenon (Wikipedia band history)
• 1979 – Release of “The Wall” and hit single “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” (Wikipedia band history)
• 1985 – Roger Waters leaves the band; legal battles over name (Wikipedia band history)
• 1994 – Final studio album “The Division Bell” with Gilmour, Mason, Wright (Wikipedia band history)
• 2006 – Syd Barrett dies (Wikipedia band history)
• 2008 – Richard Wright dies (Wikipedia band history)
• 2014 – Final album “The Endless River” released (Wikipedia band history)

Confirmed Facts and What Remains Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Three members are alive: Nick Mason, Roger Waters, David Gilmour
• Roger Waters is the richest member with a net worth of $310 million
• David Gilmour refuses to play “Comfortably Numb” regularly
• Paul McCartney praised “The Dark Side of the Moon” as a masterpiece

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth figures may vary slightly across sources
• Whether Gilmour will ever play “Comfortably Numb” again in full concerts

Quotes from the Band

“I won’t be doing that. I think I’ve always been careful about which songs I choose to play in my solo shows — I want them to be songs that I feel are essentially mine.”

David Gilmour, speaking to American Songwriter

“The Dark Side of the Moon blew my mind. It’s a masterpiece — the production, the songwriting, the way it all fits together. It influenced my own music enormously.”

Paul McCartney, in multiple interviews

“I’ve always been the one who walked away with the bulk of the songwriting money. That was the deal.”

Roger Waters, on his wealth

For Pink Floyd fans, the legacy continues through the three living members who still perform and record. Roger Waters earned the largest fortune from royalties and tours that other bandmates agreed to. The choice for fans is to enjoy the music of all five members while understanding the financial and personal stories that shaped each chapter. The band’s story continues through solo projects and occasional reunions, though no full-scale Pink Floyd tour is planned.

Related reading: David Gilmour refuses to play · richest Pink Floyd member

For a detailed overview of Pink Floyd members, including who is still alive and the richest, see this overview of Pink Floyd members.

Frequently asked questions