David Gilmour Names the 6 Women Who Shaped His Life and Music

David Gilmour, the legendary guitarist of Pink Floyd, has long been known for his haunting, soulful playing and his ability to craft music that transcends time. But behind his famous guitar solos and evocative lyrics, Gilmour’s influences extend beyond the world of rock and roll. At 79, Gilmour has finally shared the names of the six women who not only inspired him musically but left deep imprints on his soul. These women, each a force in her own right, shaped Gilmour’s journey in unexpected ways, challenging his creativity and offering him a mirror to his own artistic struggles.

From the haunting folk of Joni Mitchell to the rebellious spirit of Patti Smith, Gilmour’s list of musical muses reveals a much deeper, more personal side of the man who helped define the sound of Pink Floyd. These are the women who, through their art and presence, have both challenged and complemented Gilmour’s own music, leaving lasting marks on the guitarist’s life.

Joni Mitchell: The Voice of Soulful Reflection

The first woman Gilmour names is none other than Joni Mitchell, the folk legend whose voice could “make the sky cry.” For Gilmour, Joni wasn’t just a singer—she was a kindred spirit. Both introspective and haunted by the silence between the notes, Joni’s music spoke to something deep inside Gilmour. The first time he heard her, driving through the English countryside, he was struck by the raw beauty of her melodies and complex guitar work.

Their paths crossed in the ‘70s, when Joni played Coyote for him during a backstage encounter in London. The connection was immediate, even though they didn’t speak much. Gilmour later revealed that Joni’s album Blue became a desert island record for him, as it embodied everything he valued in music—complexity, honesty, and emotional depth. In Joni, Gilmour saw not just a musician, but a mirror—an artist whose work reflected the complexity of his own soul.

Stevie Nicks: The Storm Wrapped in Silk

The second woman who left a lasting impact on Gilmour is Stevie Nicks, the ethereal frontwoman of Fleetwood Mac. Gilmour recalls meeting Stevie in Los Angeles during the wild heart of the ‘80s. She walked into the room like a storm wrapped in silk, radiating a fierce energy and mysticism that captivated him. Stevie’s voice wasn’t just a sound—it was an embodiment of resilience. She had faced addiction, heartbreak, and betrayal, yet still stood as one of the most iconic figures in rock.

Gilmour was drawn not only to her music but to her strength. It wasn’t just her beautiful voice—it was her ability to turn her pain into something powerful. For Gilmour, Stevie represented the mystical side of rock—the haunting echo of the soul that refuses to break. Her battle with darkness became the backdrop for her creativity, and it was this alchemy of light and shadow that Gilmour admired most.

Chrissie Hynde: The Raw Truth of Rebellion

Next on Gilmour’s list is Chrissie Hynde, the unapologetically fierce leader of The Pretenders. When Gilmour first saw Chrissie perform in the early ‘80s, he was struck by her presence. Chrissie didn’t wait for the stage—she took it. She was raw, unfiltered, and full of grit. Gilmour admired her ability to bring rebellion into rock, to turn every lyric into a statement of defiance.

Their brief encounter in Paris, over a bottle of wine, was a moment where their worlds collided. Chrissie challenged everything about Gilmour’s polished, introspective approach to music. She didn’t shy away from her pain; she celebrated it, letting it scream through her songs. For Gilmour, Chrissie reignited something in his blood—a reminder that rock and roll was meant to be dangerous, disruptive, and deeply human.

Kate Bush: The Ethereal Genius

The fourth woman who left a mark on Gilmour’s life is Kate Bush. Gilmour’s first encounter with Kate was through a demo tape she had sent him in the late ‘70s. At just 19, Kate’s music felt like it came from another world—ethereal, strange, and prophetic. Gilmour immediately recognized her genius and fought to bring her into the studio, despite doubts from others. He knew her talent was something extraordinary, and he believed in her even before the world did.

Kate wasn’t just a great artist—she was a visionary. Her music bent reality to her rhythm, and Gilmour admired her ability to create a space where boundaries didn’t exist. With Kate, Gilmour learned that true art doesn’t ask for permission—it demands surrender. And in her work, he found a kind of fearless creativity that pushed him to expand his own artistic horizons.

Patti Smith: The Rebel with a Purpose

The fifth woman Gilmour names is Patti Smith, the poet of punk who captured his imagination with her raw energy and spiritual depth. Though Gilmour never collaborated with Patti, he always admired her fierce individuality and her refusal to conform. For Gilmour, Patti’s lyrics were like scripture—delivered with a rawness that cut through the noise of the music industry.

Her voice wasn’t just a scream—it was a sermon, a call to something deeper than fame or success. Patti’s art was ancient and urgent at the same time, a reminder that music was not about perfection but about truth. In her defiance and connection to something bigger than herself, Gilmour found inspiration in the chaos. She was a force that didn’t seek fame but instead made the world listen.

The Enduring Influence: Six Voices That Shaped Gilmour’s Soul

Each of these women left an indelible mark on David Gilmour’s life—not just through their music, but through their strength, their vulnerability, and their refusal to conform. Joni Mitchell gave him the language of longing; Stevie Nicks reminded him that wounds could sing; Chrissie Hynde reignited rock’s rebellion in his soul; Kate Bush showed him that true creativity knows no bounds; and Patti Smith taught him that art is not about perfection, but about truth.

These voices were not just musical influences—they were mirrors, muses, and flames that guided Gilmour through the labyrinth of his own creative journey. Each woman represented something Gilmour needed—something that both challenged and complemented his artistry. Their music wasn’t just beautiful—it was brave. It wasn’t just timeless—it was timely, echoing back to him exactly when he needed it most.

A Legacy of Inspiration

In his reflections, Gilmour reveals that these women were not just figures he admired from a distance—they were integral to his own music and personal growth. They helped shape his sound, his approach to music, and his understanding of what it means to be an artist in a world that often celebrates image over substance. In their voices, Gilmour found solace, inspiration, and a kind of shelter—a place where vulnerability met power.

As Gilmour continues to create, perform, and inspire, his admiration for these six rock women serves as a testament to the enduring power of music and the incredible women who shape it. Their influence, both in sound and spirit, will continue to echo through his work, a reminder that even the most legendary voices need other voices to carry them through the storm.