Claim: David Gilmour is a guitarist in Pink Floyd.

David Jon Gilmour , -LRB- born 6 March 1946 -RRB- is an English singer , songwriter , composer , multi-instrumentalist , and record producer . He joined the progressive rock band Pink Floyd as guitarist and co-lead vocalist in 1968 , effectively as a replacement for founder Syd Barrett , who left the band shortly afterwards .   Pink Floyd subsequently achieved international success with the concept albums The Dark Side of the Moon , Wish You Were Here , Animals , and The Wall . By the early 1980s , they had become one of the most critically acclaimed and best-selling acts in the history of popular music ; it was estimated that by 2012 the band had sold over 250 million records worldwide , including 75 million units sold in the United States . Following the departure of another founder member , Roger Waters , Gilmour assumed leadership of Pink Floyd in 1985 .   In addition to his work with Pink Floyd , Gilmour has produced a variety of artists , for example the Dream Academy , and has had a solo career which has included four studio albums : David Gilmour , About Face , On an Island , and Rattle That Lock . As a member of Pink Floyd , he was inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 , and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005 . In 2005 , Gilmour was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire -LRB- CBE -RRB- for his services to music . He was awarded with the Outstanding Contribution title at the 2008 Q Awards . In 2011 , Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 14 in their list of the greatest guitarists of all time . Additionally , Gilmour was voted number 36 in the greatest voices in rock by Planet Rock listeners in 2009 .   He has taken part in projects to promote international charities related to such subjects as animal rights , homelessness , poverty , environmentalism , wildlife conservation , human rights , and music therapy . He has married twice and is the father of eight children .