David Gilmour Celebrates 80th Birthday with Classic 'On an Island' Performance

The Pink Floyd guitarist releases archival video from 2006 AOL Session featuring late bandmate Richard Wright.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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David Gilmour, the legendary guitarist of Pink Floyd, has released an archival performance video of his solo track "On an Island" to mark two significant milestones - his 80th birthday on Friday and the 20th anniversary of his third solo album of the same name. The performance, recorded in April 2006 in New York as part of an AOL Session, features Gilmour's late Pink Floyd bandmate Richard Wright on keyboards. The upgraded video was released via social media, with the promise of more performances from the 2006 AOL Session to be shared in the coming days.

Why it matters

The release of this classic Gilmour performance not only celebrates the iconic musician's 80th birthday but also commemorates the enduring legacy of his solo work and his time with the groundbreaking band Pink Floyd. Fans of Gilmour and Pink Floyd will appreciate this rare archival footage, which showcases the guitarist's virtuosic playing and the musical chemistry he shared with his former bandmate Wright.

The details

Gilmour's third solo album, "On an Island," was released on March 6, 2006, marking his first solo effort in 22 years. The album was a critical and commercial success, peaking at #6 on the Billboard 200 chart. The "On an Island" performance featured in the newly released video was recorded as part of an AOL Session in April 2006, shortly after the album's release. The video features Gilmour's masterful guitar work and the late Richard Wright's elegant keyboard playing, providing a glimpse into the creative collaboration between the two Pink Floyd members.

  • David Gilmour's 80th birthday is on Friday, March 7, 2026.
  • The 20th anniversary of Gilmour's solo album "On an Island" is on March 6, 2026.

The players

David Gilmour

The legendary guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the iconic rock band Pink Floyd, known for his virtuosic guitar playing and soulful vocals.

Richard Wright

The late keyboardist and founding member of Pink Floyd, who collaborated extensively with Gilmour and contributed to the band's signature sound.

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What’s next

Fans can look forward to the release of additional archival performances from Gilmour's 2006 AOL Session in the coming days, providing further glimpses into the guitarist's solo work and his creative partnership with his former Pink Floyd bandmates.

The takeaway

This release of a classic Gilmour performance not only celebrates the musician's 80th birthday and the 20th anniversary of his acclaimed solo album, but also underscores the enduring legacy of Pink Floyd and the continued appreciation for Gilmour's singular artistry and musical contributions.