In June 2019, David raised $21.5m from the Christie's sale of more than 120 of his instruments and artefacts. He gave the proceeds to
ClientEarth, a charity which uses the power of the law to protect the planet and its people.
"The global climate crisis is the greatest challenge that humanity will ever face," said David. "I hope that the sale of these guitars
will help ClientEarth in their actions to use the law to bring about real change. We need a civilised world that goes on for all our
grandchildren and beyond, in which these guitars can be played and songs can be sung."
For more information on ClientEarth, their work and how you can help, please visit
clientearth.org.
Wednesday 26th February 2020 David's Tribute to Peter Green
As previously announced, David performed last night as one of the special guests assembled by Mick Fleetwood to celebrate the life and music of Fleetwood Mac
founder Peter Green at The London Palladium. Although Peter Green's time with the band was to be short-lived, his songs and performances attracted much acclaim,
and the regard in which they are still held was reflected in the musicians chosen to perform them.
A stellar lineup excelled themselves: John Mayall, Jonny Lang, Rick Vito, Billy Gibbons, Christine McVie, Steven Tyler, Kirk Hammett, Pete Townshend, and Noel
Gallagher gave inspiring renditions of the mostly blues-based early Mac material, while Neil Finn was moving on the emotional Man Of The World.
Surprise appearance of the night was fourth original member Jeremy Spencer, appearing on stage with Mick Fleetwood for the first time in fifty years. His
slide guitar and vocals, undiminished by time, elicited a great response from the crowd.
Another first was David Gilmour's rendition of Oh Well Part 2, apparently the only time it had ever been performed live by Fleetwood Mac. Backed by the
house band of Mick Fleetwood, Andy Fairweather Low, Rick Vito, Dave Bronze and Ricky Peterson, David reproduced the reverberant guitar from the original for
the first part of the tune. He then paid tribute in his own style, with a superb bluesy sequence of phrases, playing from the heart – a perfect summation
of the spirit of the evening.
David returned on lap steel guitar, duetting with Rick Vito on slide for the penultimate song of the show, the instrumental Albatross. David's
distinctive tone, with volume swells, carried the set to sublime heights before the final ensemble closing rendition of Shake Your Moneymaker, the
Elmore James classic from the first Fleetwood Mac album.
The concert was designed by Mick Fleetwood to 'recognize the profound impact Peter and the early Fleetwood Mac had on the world of music' and it certainly
achieved that goal. It was filmed and recorded for future release.
Tuesday 25th February 2020 Peter Green Tribute Concert: Rehearsals
Wednesday 12th February 2020 A Theatre for Dreamers – An Evening of Words and Music with Polly Samson and David Gilmour
Monday 30th March – Manchester, Royal Northern College of Music
Tuesday 31st March – Birmingham, Town Hall
Thursday 2nd April – London, Central Hall Westminster
Join Polly Samson and friends to launch her new novel A Theatre for Dreamers at an evening of words and music in Manchester,
Birmingham and London.
Each of these special events will feature Polly Samson in conversation with journalist Rosie Boycott, readings, film and live music,
including a new song Yes, I Have Ghosts written by David Gilmour and Polly Samson.
The audience will be transported to the Greek island of Hydra in 1960, and a world dancing on the edge of revolution, where a circle of
poets, painters, writers and musicians live tangled lives. It's a story of utopian dreams and innocence lost, of the troubled King and
Queen of Bohemia, Charmian Clift and George Johnson, of a young poet named Leonard Cohen, and his Marianne; and of Erica Hart, an
18-year-old in search of answers.
Ticket prices include a signed first edition of A Theatre for Dreamers and an exclusive portrait of Polly Samson and David Gilmour
taken on Hydra and signed by them both.
'In A Theatre for Dreamers, Polly Samson goes to the Greek island of Hydra to imagine the first steps in the love affair between
Leonard Cohen and his Marianne. As dreamily nostalgic as Cohen's song Famous Blue Raincoat' OBSERVER, Fiction to look out for in 2020
'It is a grand read and the prose falls translucently like the air ... Superb work and a delightful novel' THOMAS KENEALLY
'Polly Samson has created such a dazzling evocation of an era and its mindset. Here, the island of Hydra is a geographical place but
a psychological one too, populated by beautiful and damaged characters who pull you down into its pages for another café gossip,
another moonlit swim, another drink. This book is a bohemian idyll meticulously drawn, and unsparingly exposed. It is like going away to
paradise, then coming back rather wiser. You don't read this book – you live it' MARINA HYDE
Wednesday 4th December 2019 A Theatre for Dreamers
It has just been announced that the new novel by Polly Samson – author, Pink Floyd lyricist and partner of David – will be
released in April 2020 (see the cover revealed, above right).
Click here to pre-order a special signed copy of A Theatre for Dreamers
(limited quantities available).
The book is set on the Greek island of Hydra in 1960, where a circle of poets, painters and musicians (notably Leonard Cohen) lived tangled
lives which have captivated the world for decades.
Monday 25th November 2019 The Later Years podcast series 'The Lost Art Of Conversation' launched
To
celebrate the 13th December release of Pink Floyd The Later Years, David Gilmour has given his only interview to BBC Radio's
Matt Everitt, published as a podcast, 'The Lost Art of Conversation'. The 4-part series will be available in weekly parts, starting today.
In the series, David discusses Pink Floyd as they reassembled after Roger Waters' departure, as well as legal battles, the 80s, 90s politics
and The Big Spliff. Covering the material and stories featured in The Later Years box set, the episodes are split into four key
themes from the band's career from 1987 to the present day, including The Studio, Artwork, Live Performances, and Unreleased New Material.
'The Lost Art of Conversation' will be available on all major podcast platforms, via this link:
pinkfloyd.lnk.to/Podcast.
Pink Floyd The Later Years is available to pre-order here:
pinkfloyd.com. A 2-LP/1-CD 'Highlights' package will be released on
Friday 29th November.
Friday 15th November 2019 David Gilmour Announced as Special Guest at Peter Green Tribute Concert
It has been announced that David will join the special guests assembled by Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood to celebrate the life and work
of Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green in a concert at the London Palladium on February 25th, 2020.
Peter Green came to prominence as Eric Clapton's replacement in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, becoming just as highly regarded as a lead guitarist
in the Chicago blues tradition. On leaving the Bluesbreakers, Green founded Fleetwood Mac, named after drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie,
and saw the band expand from a purist blues outfit into a creator of hits, including the Green originals Man of the World, Oh Well, and
the instrumental UK Number 1, Albatross.
The Palladium concert will include performances from various special guests as well as David, including Billy Gibbons, Jonny Lang, Andy Fairweather Low,
John Mayall, Christine McVie, Zak Starkey, Steven Tyler, and Bill Wyman, with more to be announced. Glyn Johns will be executive sound producer,
while the house band will feature Mick Fleetwood himself, along with Andy Fairweather Low, Dave Bronze, and Ricky Peterson.
A donation from the event, which is already sold out, will go to Teenage Cancer Trust, the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialist nursing and
emotional support to young people with cancer. For more information: visit www.teenagecancertrust.org.
Tuesday 1st October 2019 David Performs at Richard Thompson 70th Birthday Concert
Photo: Romany Gilmour.
As previously announced, David performed last night at London's Royal Albert Hall, as a special guest at the 70th Birthday Celebration
of singer/songwriter/guitarist and Fairport Convention co-founder Richard Thompson.
Appearing towards the close of a concert full of stellar guests, David performed Richard's The Dimming Of The Day, including an
incendiary solo. The song had of course previously featured on the David Gilmour In Concert DVD from the Royal Festival Hall. Richard
supplied sympathetic electric guitar behind David's lead vocal on Fat Old Sun, culminating in an exchange of guitar solos between
the two that was a masterclass in dynamics and taste.
The show was a fitting tribute to Richard Thompson's artistry, including as it did the cream of Britain's folk-rock world as well as some
possibly more surprising guests, such as Hugh Cornwell (a former schoolmate of Richard's) and Bob Mould from Hüsker Dü and Sugar.
The entire ensemble, including David, assembled for the traditional Fairport Convention encore of Richard's classic Meet On The Ledge,
a fitting end to an astonishing evening of musical virtuosity.
Thursday 25th July 2019 David Gilmour Announced as Special Guest at Richard Thompson 70th Birthday Concert
David has just announced that he will join the extensive line-up of special guests at Fairport Convention co-founder Richard Thompson's
70th Birthday Celebration concert on Monday 30th September 2019, at the Royal Albert Hall. Richard Thompson's idiosyncratic song writing and
unique guitar style have made him one of the most respected singer/songwriters, and his songs have been covered by many artists, including
of course David Gilmour, whose version of Dimming Of The Day is featured on David Gilmour In Concert.
As well as David, others joining Richard Thompson onstage include Bob Mould, Eliza Carthy, Hugh Cornwell, Kate Rusby, Linda Thompson,
Loudon Wainwright III, Maddy Prior, Marc Ellington, and Martin Carthy. Other Thompson family musicians will also perform,
as will former Fairport Convention rhythm section Dave Mattacks and Dave Pegg, plus fellow Fairport co-founders Ashley Hutchings and Simon
Nicol.
The show sold out on its announcement in April, but please look out for the release of last-minute tickets
at www.alttickets.com/richard-thompson-tickets.
The Royal Albert Hall Box Office can also be very helpful in the pursuit of available last-minute tickets.
Saturday 22nd June 2019 David on the Today Programme
David appeared on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning at 8.22am, along with ClientEarth CEO James Thornton.
Friday 21st June 2019 David's Guitars Break Records in Combating Climate Change
Yesterday's auction, by Christie's in New York, of David's guitar collection raised millions for ClientEarth, the organisation pledged to
combat climate change, but the result was even better than expected. The highly anticipated auction of more than 120 instruments and
artefacts from David's personal collection created great excitement in the auction room as new record prices were set for contemporary
musical instruments, achieving a final total of $21,490,750, including buyer's premium.
Described as 'the most valuable collection of musical instruments ever sold at auction', the auction attracted astronomical bids from
2,000 bidders from 66 countries. As predicted, the instruments most closely associated with iconic recordings such as Wish You Were Here
and The Dark Side of the Moon achieved high prices, the highest being the $3.9 million paid for David's 'Black Strat' Fender
Stratocaster, setting a world auction record for any guitar.
David described the result as "brilliant and unbelievable", reiterating his support for ClientEarth in their cause to use the law to bring
about real change. ClientEarth, a charity that uses the power of the law to protect the planet and its people, comprises lawyers and
environmental experts who are fighting against climate change and to protect nature and the environment.
ClientEarth CEO James Thornton said: "This is a truly humbling and extraordinary gift, which goes beyond our wildest expectations.
It's difficult to express just how deeply grateful we are to David for choosing ClientEarth as the beneficiary of this historic auction.
The law is one of the most powerful tools we have to tackle the world's increasing environmental problems. This gift is a phenomenal boost
to our work using the law to tackle climate change and protect nature. It will allow us to play an even greater role in addressing the climate
crisis and securing a healthy planet for future generations". Click here
for more information on ClientEarth.
The excitement around this guitar sale was expressed in some of the records broken. David's acoustic Martin D-35 sold for $1,095,000 – a
new world auction record for a C.F. Martin guitar. The 1954 White Fender Stratocaster #0001 used on several recordings, including Another
Brick in the Wall (Part 2), sold for $1,815,000, while the 1955 Gibson Les Paul, also famous for the solo on Another Brick in the
Wall (Part 2), sold for $447,000, a new auction record for a Gibson Les Paul. A rare Gretsch White Penguin 6134 purchased by David in
1980 realised $447,000 – a new auction record for a Gretsch. Christie's declared all to be "world musical instruments auction records".
In the months leading up to the auction, over 12,000 fans booked hour-long time slots at the tour stops in London, Los Angeles and New York
to see the guitars in person. More than 500,000 people having viewed the content of the sale on Christies.com, the start of the sale had to
be delayed for an hour to accommodate the unprecedented number of bidders who queued around the block to attend.
Wednesday 19th June 2019 Christie's Guitar Auction – A Message From David
Friday 14th June 2019 Christie's Guitar Auction – Open For Viewing
Discover The David Gilmour Guitar Collection in New York until Wednesday 19th June.
Book your free entry ticket here.
Wednesday 12th June 2019 Christie's Guitar Auction – Answers To Your Questions
Our thanks to everyone who sent in questions on social media for David about the upcoming #GilmourGuitars charity auction at Christie's
on Thursday 20th June. You can read David's answers here.
Friday 7th June 2019 Christie's Guitar Auction – Are You Ready?
The David Gilmour Guitar Collection opens in New York on Friday 14th June. Book your free entry ticket
here.
Thursday 30th May 2019 Christie's Guitar Auction – 'The Black Strat'
Of all the instruments in The David Gilmour Guitar Collection, it is an off-the-shelf standard model black Stratocaster that has served
him the longest as both a performance and a recording tool, appearing on every Pink Floyd album from 1970 to 1983 and all four of his solo
albums to date. Read about 'The Black Strat' – a rock iconhere.
Monday 27th May 2019 David Gilmour Podcast
Ahead of The David Gilmour Guitar Collection auction at Christie's in New York on Thursday 20th June, David is releasing three
podcasts featuring conversations with Matt Everitt about the guitars. Subscribe to the podcast
here.
Tuesday 7th May 2019 Christie's Guitar Auction – LA Preview
In advance of the New York sale, select guitars from The David Gilmour Guitar Collection are now on view in Los Angeles until Saturday 11th May.
Entry is free and there's no need to book.
Tuesday 30th April 2019 Christie's Guitar Auction – Favourite London Moments
The David Gilmour Guitar Collection exhibition in London saw many people rock out on the Signature Black Stratocaster;
click here to view a compilation.
Select guitars will be on display at Christie's Los Angeles gallery from 7–11 May. Entry is free and there's no need to book.
Thursday 25th April 2019 Unplugged – David Gilmour and his acoustic guitars
As the tour of The David Gilmour Guitar Collection hits Los Angeles (Tuesday 7th May), you can discover the acoustic guitars that have
played such an important part in David's development as a musician, and in some of his most famous songs.
Friday 5th April 2019 David Gilmour: My life in guitars – Updated
David Gilmour plucks some pearls of wisdom from his long history with guitars in
a special story on Christies.com
that showcases The David Gilmour Guitar Collection in full.
Discover the stories behind guitars ahead of the auction in New York on 20 June, as well as anecdotes about his first guitar, his early heroes, and a little-known fact about David Gilmour's role at the 1970
Isle of Wight Festival.
Thursday 28th March 2019 Virtual Tour: The David Gilmour Guitar Collection
Explore the London exhibition of David's guitar collection via the virtual tour on Christies.com. Click
here to visit.
Wednesday 27th March 2019 The David Gilmour Guitar Collection with Matt Everitt
Live from London: Take a guided tour of The David Gilmour Guitar Collection with BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Matt Everitt.
Wednesday 27th March 2019 David Gilmour: My life in guitars
David Gilmour plucks some pearls of wisdom from his long history with guitars in
a special story on Christies.com
that, for the first time, showcases The David Gilmour Guitar Collection in full.
Discover the stories behind guitars that will be on display in
the exhibition at Christie's London (27-31 March)
ahead of the auction in New York on 20 June, as well as anecdotes about his first guitar, his early heroes, and a little-known fact about David Gilmour's role at the 1970
Isle of Wight Festival.
Tuesday 26th March 2019 Christie's Guitar Auction – Trailer
Christie's have just released this trailer for The David Gilmour Guitar Collection.
Friday 15th March 2019 Christie's Guitar Auction – London Preview Exhibition
In advance of the New York sale, the entire David Gilmour Collection will be exhibited at Christie's London followed by highlights
in Los Angeles and will conclude with a full preview in New York.
The world tour of The David Gilmour Guitar Collection will launch at Christie's London (8 King Street, London SW1Y 6QT) on Wednesday 27th
March, where you can preview David's personal collection of over 120 guitars, to be auctioned later this year in New York –
including the legendary 'Black Strat' played on The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, and The Wall.
The sale is the largest and most comprehensive collection of guitars to be offered at auction, with proceeds to benefit charity.
The exhibition is free and open to all, but reservations are required – please book your preferred date and time via
this link.
Wednesday 6th March 2019 Christie's Guitar Auction Catalogue available for pre-order
In what is bound to be a heavily-subscribed issue, Christie's the auctioneers have announced that they are making available for
pre-order the catalogue for David's charity guitar auction. As you would imagine for a sale of this importance, the catalogue will
feature a photo of each of the 120+ guitars under the hammer, each with a description of the guitar's provenance and history. The
descriptions vary in length, with some going into much detail, including previously unpublished anecdotes.
Pre-order the catalogue at
this link
to get an item that is certain to be appreciated by guitar lovers around the world, whether or not participating in David's historic charity auction.
Please note that catalogues will not be despatched until the week commencing 13th May.
Tuesday 29th January 2019 Christie's to Auction more than
120 of David's Guitars for Charity in New York on Thursday 20th June 2019
David playing 'The Black Strat' for the 'Live at Abbey Road' series, 29th August 2006.
Photo: Polly Samson.
Christie's auctioneers will be hosting an auction of some of the highlights of David's personal guitar collection on Thursday 20th June 2019 in New York.
Focussing on a selection of David's guitars, including Fenders, Gibsons and Martins, amongst others, the auction will be led by David's historic
'Black Strat', his 1969 black Fender Stratocaster, with which he is closely associated. The sale will be the largest and most comprehensive collection
of guitars to be offered at auction, with all sale proceeds benefitting charitable causes.
A global tour of the collection will launch in London at Christie's, King Street, from March 27-31, 2019, where the full collection will be on display,
followed by highlights in Los Angeles May 7-11, and then the New York sale preview ahead of the auction from June 14-19. During the exhibitions, sound
experience will be provided by Sennheiser.
David said: "These guitars have been very good to me and many of them have given me pieces of music over the years. They have paid for themselves many
times over, but it's now time that they moved on. Guitars were made to be played and it is my wish that wherever they end up, they continue to give
their owners the gift of music. By auctioning these guitars I hope that I can give some help where it is really needed and through my charitable
foundation do some good in this world. It will be a wrench to see them go and perhaps one day I'll have to track one or two of them down and buy them
back!"
Gavin Elder has directed a short film of David talking about his guitars.
View it here.
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