Gilmour led the tributes to Richard Wright

London (ANI): Pink Floyd star Dave Gilmour led the tributes to Richard Wright, the group's founder member, who died at the age of 65 after battling cancer. Wright was popular as the Keyboard legend and even wrote classic hits such as 'The Great Gig In The Sky' and 'Us And Them' for the album 'Dark Side Of The Moon'.

"He was such a lovely, gentle, genuine man and will be missed terribly by so many who loved him," the Mirror quoted Gilmour, as saying. He added: "And that's a lot of people. Did he not get the loudest, longest applause at the end of every show in 2006?"

Gilmour became part of the group in 1968, and has since been a permamnent fixture in the band. According to a Pink Floyd spokesman, the group were 'cut up' about the death. The musician's family confirmed 'with great sadness' his death after a 'short struggle with cancer'.

Wright had taught himself keyboard and piano, and met fellow band members Roger Waters and Nick Mason while studying at architecture school. In 1965, he became the founder member of The Pink Floyd Sound and the group"s earlier incarnations, such as Sigma 6. Wright appeared on Floyd's first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn in 1967 alongside lead guitarist Syd Barrett, Waters and Mason.