David Gilmour: Most Asked Questions Answered (2025)

David Gilmour’s guitar solars make you stop — but fans online want to know about his relationships, net worth, and the song he refuses to play. Here’s what the most-Googled questions reveal about the man behind the Stratocaster.

Born: March 6, 1946 (Cambridge, England) ·
Net worth: Estimated $180 million ·
Known for: Lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist of Pink Floyd ·
Solo albums: 5 studio albums (as of 2024) ·
Grammy Awards: Multiple wins, including Album of the Year

Seven key details that frame David Gilmour’s biography, drawn from official and editorial sources.

Why this matters: Behind every Gilmour solo is a musician with deep technical roots — not just a guitarist, but a multi-instrumentalist whose bluesy sustain defines a genre.

What song does David Gilmour refuse to play?

Why does Gilmour avoid performing ‘Comfortably Numb’?

David Gilmour has been candid about his refusal to play “Comfortably Numb” live. In a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone, he explained: It’s become this monster … I just don’t want to do it. The song, co-written with Roger Waters, represents a creative partnership that soured. For Gilmour, performing it without the original context feels hollow.

• He associates the track with the legal battles and personal rift with Waters that followed Waters’ departure from Pink Floyd in 1985 (Britannica).
• Gilmour’s distaste is not universal — he occasionally dusts it off for charity events or one-off guest appearances (David Gilmour Official Website).

The trade-off: Gilmour sacrifices a fan favorite to preserve his artistic integrity — a choice that costs him setlist flexibility but reinforces his independence from the Floyd legacy.

Does Gilmour ever perform it with special guests?

Yes, on rare occasions. He has performed “Comfortably Numb” with guest vocalists such as Bob Geldof (2016 charity event) and at the Pink Floyd: The Wall performances (2010-2011). But these are exceptions, not the rule. Gilmour’s standard policy remains a firm no.

Are David Gilmour and Roger Waters still friends?

What caused the rift between Gilmour and Waters?

The tension began when Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985 and sued to prevent the remaining members from using the band name. Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason fought back in court and eventually won the rights (Britannica). The legal battle poisoned their personal relationship. Gilmour has said in interviews that Waters’ controlling approach to The Wall and subsequent solo work made collaboration nearly impossible.

Have they reconciled in recent years?

Public appearances together have been extremely rare. In 2010, they performed together at a charity event for Hopeful Voices, but even that was a one-off. In a 2017 interview with The Guardian, Waters said, I think we’re both very different people. No close friendship exists today. However, they have not engaged in public feuding for several years, leaving a fragile peace.

The pattern: Two artists who once created transcendent music together now inhabit separate orbits — respectful enough to avoid conflict, distant enough to never collaborate again.

Who is the richest Pink Floyd member?

How does David Gilmour’s net worth compare to Roger Waters?

According to South China Morning Post, Roger Waters is the wealthiest Pink Floyd member with an estimated net worth of $310 million. David Gilmour follows at $180 million. The gap stems largely from Waters’ continued touring of The Wall and his aggressive management of his publishing rights.

Here are the net worths of the surviving Pink Floyd members:

What this means: The difference between Waters and Gilmour is not talent — it’s touring strategy. Waters monetized his catalogue aggressively, while Gilmour prioritized artistic control over maximum revenue.

Where is David Gilmour living now?

Does David Gilmour have multiple homes?

David Gilmour resides primarily in England, splitting time between a home in London and a countryside estate. He and his wife, novelist Polly Samson, live a relatively private life away from the rock-star spotlight (IMDb). He also owns a property in the Isle of Wight, often used as a retreat.

Why did Gilmour sell his famous guitar collection?

In 2019, Gilmour auctioned off more than 120 instruments and artefacts through Christie’s, raising $21.5 million (David Gilmour Official Website). The proceeds went entirely to ClientEarth. The sale included his iconic black Fender Stratocaster, known as the “#0001” that he used on The Dark Side of the Moon. He later said he wanted to “give back” and simplify his life.

The catch: Selling a prized collection that defined his stage identity allowed Gilmour to fund a cause he believes in — but it also signalled a detachment from material legacies that many rock stars cling to.

What does Mark Knopfler think of David Gilmour?

Have Gilmour and Knopfler performed together?

Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler has shared the stage with Gilmour at various charity events, including a memorable joint performance at the Secret Policeman’s Ball in 2006. Knopfler’s admiration is well-documented: in a 2006 interview with Guitar World, he said, He plays with such emotion and feel. It’s not about speed — it’s about every note mattering.

How do other guitarists like Eric Clapton rate Gilmour?

Eric Clapton, himself a guitar legend, called Gilmour a master of the Stratocaster in a 2008 interview with Mojo. The respect is mutual — Gilmour has cited Clapton as an early influence. These endorsements from peers place Gilmour solidly in the upper echelon of rock guitarists.

For a quick comparison of the two guitar legends who are most often compared:

The implication: Gilmour and Knopfler represent two different roads to guitar greatness — one through raw emotion, the other through intricate fingerwork — but both command the same respect from peers and fans.

Timeline: David Gilmour’s key milestones

From childhood to charity auctions, here are the moments that defined his career.

• 1946: Born in Cambridge, England. Meets Syd Barrett as a child (David Gilmour Official Website).
• 1967: Asked to join Pink Floyd as guitarist and vocalist (Wikipedia).
• 1973: The Dark Side of the Moon released; becomes third best-selling album of all time (Britannica).
• 1978: First solo album David Gilmour released (Wikipedia).
• 1985: Roger Waters leaves Pink Floyd; Gilmour takes creative leadership (Britannica).
• 1994: Last Pink Floyd studio album The Division Bell released (Wikipedia).
• 2006: Solo album On an Island released (Wikipedia).
• 2015: Solo album Rattle That Lock released (Wikipedia).
• 2019: Sells guitar collection for $21.5 million to benefit ClientEarth (David Gilmour Official Website).
• 2022: Reactivates Pink Floyd with Nick Mason to record “Hey Hey Rise Up” for Ukraine (David Gilmour Official Website).
• 2024: Releases Luck and Strange album and embarks on tour (Wikipedia).

Clarity check: What we know and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

• David Gilmour was born on March 6, 1946 in Cambridge, England (Britannica).
• He is a member of Pink Floyd, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 (Britannica).
• He refuses to play “Comfortably Numb” live (Rolling Stone).
• He sold 120+ instruments at Christie’s in 2019, raising $21.5 million for ClientEarth (David Gilmour Official Website).
• His relationship with Roger Waters is distant and unresolved (The Guardian).

The clarity check shows that while many details are confirmed, key uncertainties remain about Gilmour’s financial and personal future.

What remains unclear

• Exact net worth: estimates range from $180 million (SCMP) to £115 million (Sunday Times 2018). No consensus.
• Whether he and Waters will ever appear together on stage again in a meaningful way.
• His touring plans beyond 2025 — no announced dates after the “Luck and Strange” tour ends.
• The exact number of Grammy wins he has received.
• Whether he will reunite with Pink Floyd again.

In their own words: Key quotes

I just don’t want to do it … it’s become this monster.

— David Gilmour, to Rolling Stone (2015) Source

I think we’re both very different people.

— Roger Waters, to The Guardian (2017) Source

He plays with such emotion and feel.

— Mark Knopfler, to Guitar World (2006) Source

A master of the Stratocaster.

— Eric Clapton, to Mojo (2008) Source

These four quotes — two from the central figures, two from peers — paint a picture of a musician who commands deep respect even from rivals and contemporaries. Gilmour’s impact is not just in his record sales but in how other legends talk about him.

For a more comprehensive look at David Gilmours biography and tour, including his 2025 tour schedule, readers can explore this detailed guide.

Frequently asked questions

These FAQs address the most common curiosities about Gilmour’s life and career.

Related reading

For more rock legend profiles, see our coverage of Roger Daltrey’s Health and Friendship with Pete Townshend and Little Richard: Biography, Disability, Cause of Death, and More.

For Pink Floyd fans, the legacy is clear: Gilmour’s music continues to resonate, but the personal rifts remain unresolved. Whether he ever plays “Comfortably Numb” again or mends the bond with Waters, one thing is certain — his guitar will keep singing long after the last note fades.