Paul McCartney and David Gilmour have shared a friendship since the 1970s, bonded in part by Paul’s admiration for Pink Floyd. In 1973—the same year Pink Floyd released their iconic Dark Side of the Moon—Paul and Wings put out Band on the Run. Though they’d known each other for years, their first collaboration didn’t happen until the late ‘70s, when Gilmour contributed to a couple of tracks on Wings’ final album, Back to the Egg. The opening track, “Reception,” even features a distinctly “Pink Floyd-esque” intro. Gilmour lent his electric guitar skills to “Rockestra Theme” and “So Glad to See You Here.”

Few friendships in rock history are as quietly powerful as that between Paul McCartney and David Gilmour. While both men helped define the sound of their respective bands The Beatles and Pink Floyd their personal relationship has been marked by mutual respect, subtle collaborations, and a shared love for pushing musical boundaries. Since the 1970s, McCartney and Gilmour have maintained a creative kinship that has enriched both their careers, often in understated but unforgettable ways.

Their paths first crossed in the vibrant London music scene of the late ’60s and early ’70s, when Pink Floyd was emerging as one of the most progressive rock bands of the era, and McCartney was stepping into a new chapter with Wings. In 1973, Pink Floyd released Dark Side of the Moon, a landmark album that redefined concept rock. That same year, McCartney and Wings released Band on the Run, a masterpiece of post-Beatles creativity. Both albums cemented their creators’ legacies and hinted at how far rock music could stretch in terms of production and theme.

Though Paul McCartney admired Pink Floyd’s innovative spirit, and Gilmour held deep respect for McCartney’s songwriting genius, it wasn’t until the late 1970s that their first official collaboration came to life. Gilmour joined McCartney in the studio for Wings’ final album, Back to the Egg, released in 1979. His distinctive guitar work added a powerful edge to the album’s sound, especially on tracks like “Rockestra Theme” and “So Glad to See You Here.” These songs featured a supergroup of musicians in what was dubbed the “Rockestra,” with Gilmour bringing Pink Floyd’s sonic signature into McCartney’s world.

The album’s opening track, “Reception,” even includes an ambient, distorted intro that feels unmistakably inspired by Pink Floyd’s experimental textures. It was a subtle nod to Gilmour’s influence and the broader psychedelic atmosphere that had started shaping McCartney’s solo work. While the collaboration may not have dominated the charts, it remains a gem for fans of both artists—an example of what happens when two musical minds from different schools of rock come together.

Beyond the studio, the friendship between McCartney and Gilmour has endured for decades. They’ve occasionally shared the stage for special performances and tribute concerts, always with a sense of ease and deep admiration. Gilmour has spoken in interviews about how surreal—and meaningful—it was to work with a former Beatle, while McCartney has frequently praised Gilmour’s mastery of tone and emotion through guitar.