Reflections on Syd Barrett
Tuesday July 7, 2009
It's hard to believe that it has been three years since Syd Barrett died. One of the founders of, and major influences on Pink Floyd, Barrett died on July 7, 2006 of complications from diabetes.It was Barrett who wrote most of Pink Floyd's groundbreaking debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, released in 1967. He left the band in 1968 as his increasing mental instability was made worse by heavy drug use. He recorded two solo albums before leaving the music business altogether. Pink Floyd's 1975 album, Wish You Were Here, the band's tribute to Barrett, was their first album to reach #1 in both the US and the UK.
His death brought comments like these from About.com Classic rock readers:
• "He was the friend I hadn’t heard from in years, but was never forgotten"
• "[I]t was always Syd’s transcendent psychedelia that carried us into the great unknown."
• "I pray that he found peace in the next life that eluded him in this one."
• "Wish you were here, Syd. Wish you were here."
Syd Barrett died, at age 60, in Cambridge, England, where he was born and had lived quietly since dropping out of public view.
Promotional photo courtesy Capitol Records
Comments
Wish you were here, Syd. Wish you were here.
We mish you more than ever, Sid. You are one of the reasons I am learning to play music.
It’s like we lost one of Us, to Them…He was the friend I hadn’t heard from in years, but was never forgotten…He will be missed…The great ones never knew how great they were to us.
Another creative soul has passed on from this earth. The voice remains with us…
A sad loss, but, hopefully, a great creative spirit finally at peace.
With all your talent & gifts that fluttered in an instance it brought about an evolution of idea’s within the core of the Band that transcended into the fine line between sanity,creativity,and enlightenment! SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND!!!
My brother’s friend Craig got us into Pink Floyd, and it was always Syd’s transcendent psychedelia that carried us into the great unknown. (’A Nice Pair’ and ‘Relics’ are good places to start for the uninitiated). The latter-day Floyd has just become too cynical, so I hope that Syd’s passage gets them back to that original spirit of playful experimentalism. He “Set the Controls,” now let’s get back to “The Heart of the Sun”!
My cousin introduced me to Pink Floyd, namely Syd Barrett. Now after over 15 years, my most cherished Pink Floyd songs are those that Syd wrote. I adore his solo writings, and truly believe he was a lost treasure. I would love to see the artwork that he was working on in his later years. You are missed Syd. Hope you are shining on in a better place.
I am sorry for Syd Barrett’s passing. I pray that he found peace in the next life that eluded him in this one.He was a true genius whose talent never materialized.
The death of Syd struck a chord with me and my mid-month podcast at The Best Radio You Have Never Heard (http://www.bestradiopodcast.com) is a tribute to the great rock visionary.
“Here To Do My Parts” is a tribute to Syd Barrett. Even though of course there is some Pink Floyd music in the show, it is more of a tribute to Syd’s vision. I like to think of it as traveling music for Syd’s iPod as he makes the trek to the Gates of Dawn, or perhaps some gardening music for the great beyond as, in his recent past, gardening was one of Syd’s few hobbies.
Have a listen and let me know what you think.
Perry/Chicago
http://www.bestradiopodcast.com
For some time I have simply noted the passing of one of the worlds greatest musicians and writers with a simple heading on my MSN site …Shine on you crazy Diamond,,,Syd Barrett RIP.
How can we describe Roger “Syd” Barrett? he is the orrigional “Punk” Rocker…. He developed a style of Music that became “Pink Floyd” a style that is still only Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd.
Have another listen to Madcap Laughs and Barrett….the poetry and tempo seem a little odd at times but it works…add that to the Key changes he obviously designerd to hit us directly in the face and ensure we paid attention to his music and we have a blend of comic genius, music genius and backyard nievety that blends to a subtle but complex description of who “Syd” was at the time. I Love it!
In Australia there has been little news of the Passing of another Rock Legend…but there are some of us here that can smile after the sadness in the knowledge you will have finaly found the peace you never found on earth.
Thank you for your Music!