Syd Barrett dead at 60
 

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Jul 11, 10:26 AM EDT

Syd Barrett, founder of Pink Floyd, dies

By JILL LAWLESS
Associated Press Writer


LONDON (AP) -- Syd Barrett, the troubled genius who co-founded Pink Floyd but spent his last years in reclusive anonymity, has died, a spokeswoman for the band said Tuesday. He was 60.

The spokeswoman - who declined to give her name until the band made an official announcement - confirmed media reports that he had died. She said Barrett died several days ago, but she did not disclose the cause of death. Barrett had suffered from diabetes for many years.

Barrett co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 with David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright, and wrote many of the band's early songs. The group's jazz-infused rock made them darlings of the London psychedelic scene, and the 1967 album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" - largely written by Barrett, who also played guitar - was a commercial and critical hit.

However, Barrett suffered from mental instability, exacerbated by his use of LSD. His behavior grew increasingly erratic, and he left the group in 1968 - five years before the release of Pink Floyd's most popular album, "Dark Side of the Moon." He was replaced by David Gilmour.

Barrett released two solo albums - "The Madcap Laughs" and "Barrett" - but soon withdrew from the music business altogether.

He spent much of the rest of his life living quietly in his hometown of Cambridge, England, where he was a familiar figure, often seen cycling or walking to the corner store.

Despite his brief career, Barrett's fragile, wistful songs influenced many musicians, from David Bowie - who covered the Barrett track "See Emily Play" - to the other members of Pink Floyd, who recorded the album "Wish You Were Here" as a tribute to their troubled bandmate.

The band spokeswoman said a small, private funeral would be held.

:distress:

Kate

Pink Floyd rules
 

I just read it!! I like PF a lot, though the Barrett years were darker (Ummagumma is to heavy for my taste), but they had great music. Didn't know why he left the band, but I suspected drugs (similar to P. Green, isn't it?)

Now your article says:

Barrett co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 with David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright, .....

He was replaced by David Gilmour
So Gilmour founded the band too, or he entered later???

I think what they mean is that David took over Syd's position. Kind of like in FM, when Christine left, Stevie took over some of her vocals.

Roger Keith "Syd" Barrett.

Farewell and rest in peace you crazy diamond... :(

RIP Syd...
 

I heard bits of something on the radio this morning and came to the conclusion he had passed, but I wasn't 100% sure until I came here. Another great talent has left us. :( Thanks for the awesome music. :)

[QUOTE=Villavic]I just read it!! I like PF a lot, though the Barrett years were darker (Ummagumma is to heavy for my taste), but they had great music. [QUOTE]


I thought Ummagumma was Barrett era, but I guess I'm wrong

He was a bright light. May he rest in peace.

Does anyone know how he died? The article only says that he passed away peacefully :confused:.

The official line from the family is "complications from diabetes" but there are reports it was cancer. The chances of which, technically, especially certain types (pancreatic etc) increase with diabetes.

I was of the impression from reports and interviews that Syd was really not managing his condition very well in recent years although its believed he's had the condition for many years.

Rest in peace Syd, may your diamond shine forever.

http://people.msoe.edu/~azizs/member...syd/syd712.jpg
http://www.poster.net/barrett-syd/ba...yd-4000238.jpg

It's a shame that so many of these very talented musicians end up like this.:distress:

yeah.. Wish you were here album, as long as I know, was dedicated to him, or at least the title...

As far as the WYWH album goes, SOYCD,Wish You Were Here, and Welcome to the Machine are all about him.

Dead? :confused:

Ya, those rock stars. Dying all the time. Sheesh.

Well, I think he enjoyed his years away from the spotlight. The early Floyd lineup, at least before David Gilmour joined to pick up the lead guitar as it began falling from Syd, well, they were not very good actually. Roger Waters' bass and Rick Wright's keyboard skills were at best okay, but add some kind of crazy luck and Syd's willingness to bluff it out and somehow they had name club dates and a record deal that technically better bands must have been amazed by. Syd was a true original though, but once the game got overly serious it wasn't his kind of fun anymore I think, and the touring was very rough on everyone.

So sad :distress: His music was so influential. May he finally have some peace....

Actually, I think the article is screwed up. Syd founded Pink Floyd with Nick, Rick and Roger. David Gilmour came in as Syd was on his way out and effectively replaced Syd as the guitar player in Pink Floyd.

Syd's been a real sad story for thirty years plus. The story goes that when the band were in the studio recording "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" for the WYWH album, Syd showed up one day. At first, the band had no idea who the bald fat man was. After a little bit they realized it was Syd! Keep in mind, that album was released in 1975...so there's been over thirty years passed even since that incident.

It's amazing how sad some of the lives of these people can be. These are people who could have it all if they played their cards right.

David was an old friend of Syd's and came in to really help out on guitar due to Barretts habit of standing onstage and doing nothing due to his illness. Eventually David had to even sing and mime Syds bits too. It was only later that they all decided to stop bringing Syd to the gigs and David really took over Barretts parts although Roger then really took control of the band at that point.

It was during the Wish You Were Here sessions but contrary to popular belief it wasn't during the recording of Shine On.. Syd was about 17-18 stone in weight. He had shaved his head and eyebrows and was jumping up and down with a toothbrush in his mouth. It must have been very distressing for all of them.

I think in Syds case it was the opposite. He didn't want the fame and fortune. It got too much for him to deal with. A bit like Peter Green too. Fortunately Peter was able to return to his self to some degree in the later years. I chatted with him once and found him to be a charming and funny chap.

I posted the photo from that day the week before in the pre-rumours area under the munich accident thread...