Shine On, Syd, You Crazy Diamond

William Haskins · Jul 11, 2006

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5169344.stm

Syd Barrett, one of the original members of legendary rock group Pink Floyd, has died at the age of 60, the band's spokeswoman has confirmed.

He was born Roger Barrett in Cambridge and met future bandmates Roger Waters and David Gilmour at school there.
The guitarist was invited to join Pink Floyd by Waters in 1965 but left three years later after only one album with his mental state affected by drugs.

"He died very peacefully a couple of days ago," said the spokeswoman.
"There will be a private family funeral."

He had suffered from diabetes in recent years and had not been recording music.

billythrilly7th · Jul 11, 2006

maestrowork · Jul 11, 2006

RIP.

Shadow_Ferret · Jul 11, 2006

Goodbye, Syd.

Piper at the Gates of Dawn is still my all-time favorite Floyd album.

aka eraser · Jul 11, 2006

Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix were just a few years older than me when they died in their 20s. From my perspective, they died young.

Otis Redding, Duane Allman and Elvis followed a few years later and from my perspective, they died young.

Can't say I knew Syd Barrett but I'm sorry to see him die so young.

Unique · Jul 11, 2006

Man. Pink Floyd. 60.

I'm old.

Syd, we hardly knew ye -
I hope you had some good times while you were here.

Hero For Sale · Jul 11, 2006

He was still alive?

Stew21 · Jul 11, 2006

well that's just depressing! R.I.P. Syd.

Celia Cyanide · Jul 11, 2006

How sad! The poor man had his mental health fail him so long ago. He was, and is, brilliant. And I agree, Ferret, Piper is the best!

jst5150 · Jul 11, 2006

He went nuts and then Pink Floyd booted him out of the band. Worse, nothing with Syd Barrett's work gets played on the radio; just a passing reference as the guy who left before the band made its big break with "Set the Controls to the Heart of the Sun" on the retrospectives and collectors DVDs. It's ironic, then, all this mourning.

billythrilly7th · Jul 11, 2006

Hero For Sale said:
He was still alive?

William Haskins · Jul 11, 2006

i don't think it's ironic at all. true pink floyd fans are quite aware of his music and his contribution. and "wish you were here" was the band's breakout album as a living testament to his work and its impact.

Stew21 · Jul 11, 2006

wish you were here is my favorite album.

henriette · Jul 11, 2006

i was very lucky to see roger waters in concert a few years ago. his tribute to syd was really moving. during "shine on you crazy diamond", there was a picture of syd on the big screen- at first it was all pixels but by the end of the song, the picture had transformed into syd's young face. amazing.

i'm really sad. "bike" is one of my faves...and his solo effort "madcap laughs" contains some of the craziest, most interesting music ever created.

Celia Cyanide · Jul 11, 2006

I don't think it's ironic, either, but I do agree that it's sad that his work is never played on the radio.

Maryn · Jul 11, 2006

The Kid is a serious Floyd fan; he's going to take this hard.

However, he's told me that Barrett's mental health problems precluded proper self-care for his diabetes, which went uncontrolled for many years. He just wasn't well enough to make the right decisions in regard to his health. For many years, estimates of his weight have been 300 pounds or higher--extremely dangerous for someone with diabetes.

His hard times I would not wish on anyone, but his genius will be missed.

Maryn, who should trot out some of the old vinyl today in Syd's honor

preyer · Jul 11, 2006

isn't the reason they called him 'syd' was because of all the acid he took which in turn led to his mental fallout?

scfirenice · Jul 11, 2006

THAT'S why there's nothing but my favorite band all time being played on the radio today. I just thought it was my luck. I was lucky to see them in concert a few times, sans Syd, but RIP dude. Pure Genious.

Celia Cyanide · Jul 11, 2006

preyer said:
isn't the reason they called him 'syd' was because of all the acid he took which in turn led to his mental fallout?

No, he named himself Syd after Sid Barrett, a local Cambridge drummer. That was long before all of that happened. He was still Syd in Pink Floyd, and he didn't go nuts until after the first album.

William Haskins · Jul 11, 2006

some syd goodies:

his documented acid trip (at least 5 minutes worth, anyway):
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4fyxNPz9-ks

a syd barrett photo album:
http://www.pink-floyd.org/barrett/pictures.html

an excerpt from Madcap: The Half-Life of Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd's Lost Genius:
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,11913,804928,00.html

a profile of barrett in rolling stone from 1971
http://www.pink-floyd.org/artint/rsdec71.htm

vh1's legend episode on pink floyd and syd barrett:
http://youtube.com/results?search=pink+floyd+vh1+legends&search_type=search_videos

Stew21 · Jul 11, 2006

I saw Floyd at Soldier Field in Chicago in 93 or 94. what a show!

sassandgroove · Jul 11, 2006

Why is it that the genius minds often suffer so? I really love Pink FLoyd and I've read books about them and in a way, I'm glad Syd isn't suffering anymore.

samgail · Jul 11, 2006

R.I.P.
Syd, look up my brother would ya? He is the one with the black wings, thanks

JennaGlatzer · Jul 11, 2006

R.I.P.

I had no idea.

Long-time listener, never knew the history. Never knew any of it was based on truth. Now I get to be even MORE disturbed by the shaving scene in The Wall.

How damn sad.

sassandgroove · Jul 11, 2006

Syd haunted the rest of the band while he was living. I wonder if they will somehow find peace now?

Shine On, Syd, You Crazy Diamond

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