David Gilmour facts: Pink Floyd singer's age, wife, children and career explained

8 May 2024, 16:00

David Gilmour, renowned for his ethereal guitar tones and profound lyrical contributions, is an iconic figure in rock music.

His journey began in Cambridge, leading him to become the voice and guitar of Pink Floyd after Syd Barrett's departure.

• Pink Floyd's David Gilmour announces his first album of new songs in nearly a decade

Gilmour's distinctive sound, characterized by emotional depth and technical finesse, helped shape albums like Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here into timeless classics.

Beyond Pink Floyd, his solo career and collaborations have continued to influence and inspire.

1. How old is David Gilmour and where was he born?

   

   David Gilmour was born on March 6, 1946, which makes him 78 years old as of 2024. He was born in Cambridge, England.

   He was born to Douglas Gilmour, a senior lecturer in zoology at the University of Cambridge, and Sylvia, a teacher and film editor.

   David has three siblings: Peter, Mark and Catharine.

2. How did he get his start in music and when were Pink Floyd formed?

   

   David Gilmour developed an interest in music at a young age, teaching himself to play the guitar during his teenage years.

   His initial musical forays involved playing in various bands during his time at Cambridge Technical College. Gilmour's professional music career began in earnest with the band Joker's Wild in the mid-1960s, although this band had limited success.

   • Pink Floyd's 15 greatest songs ever, ranked
   • Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon: 10 amazing facts about the classic album
   • Pink Floyd: A timeline of all their feuds and fallouts over the years

   Pink Floyd was originally formed in 1965 by Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright, under the name Sigma 6.

   Gilmour joined Pink Floyd in December 1967 as the fifth member, initially to support Barrett, who was struggling with mental health issues and erratic behaviour. Eventually, Gilmour became the band's lead guitarist and vocalist after Barrett departed from the group in early 1968.

   This pivotal change marked the beginning of a new era for Pink Floyd, leading them towards their groundbreaking work in progressive and psychedelic rock.

3. Is he married and does he have kids?

   

   David Gilmour first tied the knot with Virginia 'Ginger' Hasenbein, an American-born model and artist, on July 7, 1975.

   The couple welcomed four children: Alice (born 1976), Clare (born 1979), Sara (born 1983), and Matthew (born 1986).

   In 1994, Gilmour married writer Polly Samson. The couple has four children: Charlie (born 1989, whom Gilmour adopted from Samson's previous relationship with Heathcote Williams), Joe (born 1995), Gabriel (born 1997), and Romany (born 2002).

   

   View this post on Instagram

   A post shared by David Gilmour (@davidgilmour)

4. How many solo albums has he recorded?

   

   David Gilmour - On An Island (Official Music Video)

   David Gilmour has recorded four solo studio albums:

   1. David Gilmour (1978)
   2. About Face (1984)
   3. On an Island (2006)
   4. Rattle That Lock (2015)

   His fifth album Luck and Strange is released in 2024.