RIP Syd Barrett

[Baby Lee]

per CBS radio.

[Baby Lee]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/15013389.htm

[Eleazar]

Syd Barrett, founder of Pink Floyd, dies

LONDON - 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.

[teedubya]

Shine on you crazy diamond.

[Brock]

That's horrible news.

[sedated]

that's one crazy f*ck.

maybe he can finally RIP

[mac58]

im actually more surprised that he was still alive all this time. . ."ive got a bike u can ride it if u like"

[htismaqe]

He made The Pink Floyd for me. While their post-Syd stuff is good, "Piper" will remain as one of my favorite albums of all time...

[StcChief]

He made The Pink Floyd for me. While their post-Syd stuff is good, "Piper" will remain as one of my favorite albums of all time...

Agreed. The early PF was very different than the commmercial stuff from Dark Side to now.

Like a tail of two bands.


still....finally RIP Syd.

and shine on you crazy Diamond.

[Adept Havelock]

RIP Syd....Shine on.

The black and green scarecrow as everyone knows
Stood with a bird on his hat and straw everywhere.
He didn't care.
He stood in a field where barley grows.

His head did no thinking
His arms didn't move except when the wind cut up
Rough and mice ran around on the ground
He stood in a field where barley grows.

The black and green scarecrow is sadder than me
But now he's resigned to his fate
'Cause life's not unkind - he doesn't mind.
He stood in a field where barley grows.

[listopencil]

RIP. Love you, man.

[jlscorpio]

definately one of the most influential ARTISTS in music EVER. Syd made sounds on his guitar and arranged his vocals in a way that was unheard of before he did them. Laid the foundation for the musical force that was Pink Floyd. I will always believe that 90% of Floyd's songs after Syd's breakdown were either inspired by or written about Syd. Remember when you were young? You shone like the sun...

[Loki]

brylcreem and mandrax.

[Rausch]

I always wondered what the Floyd would have been like had he not gone ****ing sideways and they kept on their Saucer/Piper style from early on.

He helped invent new ways to make and think about music...