In a recent appearance on "The Tonight Show," Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour put to rest a long-standing urban legend surrounding the band's iconic song "Wish You Were Here." The myth, which has circulated online for years, claimed that a cough heard at the beginning of the track belonged to Gilmour himself and that hearing it on the recording prompted him to quit smoking.
Gilmour, however, revealed a different story altogether. He shared an anecdote from his youth, recounting how his father had promised to teach him to drive if he refrained from smoking until the age of 17. Despite fulfilling his end of the bargain, Gilmour's father forgot about the agreement, leaving the young musician without driving lessons.
Surprisingly, this disappointment didn't push Gilmour towards cigarettes. He stated matter-of-factly, "I never smoked." This revelation effectively dismantles the urban legend, as Gilmour couldn't have quit smoking due to hearing himself cough on the recording if he had never been a smoker in the first place.
The guitarist did, however, humorously acknowledge the existence of a photograph showing him smoking something other than tobacco, leaving room for speculation about his experiences with other substances.
During the interview, Gilmour also took the opportunity to address other misconceptions surrounding Pink Floyd. He debunked rumors connecting the band's groundbreaking album "Dark Side Of The Moon" to the classic 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz," further clarifying the band's history for fans.
This candid conversation with Gilmour not only puts to rest a persistent myth but also offers fans a glimpse into the personal life and experiences of one of rock music's most influential figures. It serves as a reminder that even the most widely believed stories about our musical icons can sometimes be far from the truth.