RIP: Syd Barrett

[cartman]

One of the founders of Pink Floyd has died. He left the band early on due to severe problems from overingestion of LSD. If it weren't for his problems, there wouldn't have been the source of inspiration for two of the best albums in rock history, Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.

hxxp://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/07/11/britain.floyd/index.html?section=cnn_latest


Pink Floyd legend Syd Barrett dies

LONDON, England -- Pink Floyd founding member Syd Barrett has died at the age of 60, according to a spokeswoman for the band.

The singer and guitarist founded the avant garde rock band in 1965 but his drug-fueled behavior became erratic, and he left the band in 1968.

He had since lived reclusively in the eastern English city of Cambridge. A spokeswoman for Pink Floyd told the Press Association: "He died very peacefully a couple of days ago. There will be a private family funeral."

[st.cronin]

Wow, there have been a lot of deaths lately where my first reaction was "that guy is still alive?" But this one definitely takes the cake - I would have bet money that he had died way back in the 80's.

[King of New York]

So long, Syd--thanks for the great music and songs like "See Emily Play," "Interstellar Overdrive," and "Astronomy Domine."

A sad story.

[scooper]

Gonna have to go home and cue up Piper this evening.

RIP Syd.

[BrianD]

Floyd has always been on the top of my bands-I-hate list, but they had a lot of fans and were very influential. Sad to see someone this important to the music world pass.

[Grammaticus]

I have to say, I am surprised he was still alive too. Apparently he was so fried, he could not even communicate with people. It really is a sad story, for a very talented guitarist.

[Groundhog]

I knew he was alive, sad news. I think Pink Floyd did nothing but get better after he left the band, but still, if it wasn't for this guy there likely would have been no Pink Floyd.

RIP.

[Greyroofoo]

Shine on you crazy diamond.

[Crim]

From "Jugband Blues" by Syd Barrett:

"It's awfully considerate of you to think of me here
And I'm most obliged to you for making it clear
That I'm not here...

...And I'm wondering who could be writing this song..."

My favorite song from their second album -- the album recorded AFTER he'd been kicked outta the band. I'm not going to pretend that I was the biggest Syd fan, but lines like this, in my opinion, reveal Syd as the tortured and lonely genius that he was. Much of his solo work was the same - quirky, poignant and sad.

RIP Syd. Shine on, indeed.


Crim

[Groundhog]

From "Jugband Blues" by Syd Barrett:

"It's awfully considerate of you to think of me here
And I'm most obliged to you for making it clear
That I'm not here...

...And I'm wondering who could be writing this song..."

My favorite song from their second album -- the album recorded AFTER he'd been kicked outta the band. I'm not going to pretend that I was the biggest Syd fan, but lines like this, in my opinion, reveal Syd as the tortured and lonely genius that he was. Much of his solo work was the same - quirky, poignant and sad.

RIP Syd. Shine on, indeed.


Crim

It was sad that he could never come face to face with the members of Pink Floyd ever again in case he relapsed.

[Buccaneer]

Shine on.

[MrBug708]

Checking out wikipedia, I noticed that Pink Floyd was originally called The Tea Set. That would have been awesome! On another note, Johnny Depp has expressed interest in playing Barrett in a movie. Doesnt seem to surprise me

[Karlifornia]

I remember reading somewhere a few years ago, that during the recording of "Wish You Were Here", Syd Barrett was in studio, and the remaining band recorded "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" in front of him. The band was moved to tears when they saw Syd could not comprehend the song was for him. The quote from the article that always kills me is: "They saw their friend was gone"

My favorite line from the song is the first one:

"Remember when you were young
and you'd shine like the sun."

It's just so haunting, and such an evidence to the fact that the ones you knew during your golden years do not stay golden forever, and that nothing is forever. It's really heavy to me.

RIP, Syd.

[dawgfan]

The story I've always read about Syd in the studio while Pink Floyd was recording "Shine On" was that none of the guys recognized him at first, and once they realized that the shaved-headed, portly, bizarre-acting character hanging around them was Syd, they broke down. For his part, he was simply checking out what "his band" was up to

Syd probably would've had mental issues in his life regardless, but his massive acid intake probably exacerbated his issues. He reportedly had a hard time dealing with his life as a musician as he got older, reverted to his given name "Roger", rarely involved himself in music afterwards and didn't want to deal with thinking about his old band and old life.

Syd's Floyd was a different creature than what the band became later, but that first album captures Syd at his most lucid and showcases a gifted songwriter with a decided British sensibility. I'm glad the band turned out as they did, providing so many great records, but I also appreciate "Piper" for it's own creative beauty.

RIP Roger "Syd" Barrett, and Shine On.