Posted on 07/11/2006 11:39:24 AM PDT by Skooz
LONDON — Syd Barrett, the troubled talent 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 Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Rick Wright, and wrote many of the band's early songs. The group's jazz-infused rock and drug-laced, multimedia "happenings" made them darlings of the London psychedelic scene. The 1967 album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" — largely written by Barrett, who also played guitar — was a commercial and critical hit.
But 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.
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Just another brick in the wall.
Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun.
I had occasion to cross paths with David Gilmore's father via work back in the 80s. Quite a gentleman.
"You shown like the sun...shine on you crazy...diamond... "(that was the problem).
I might have to load "Dominoes" into my iPod tonight.
I was always a big Syd fan.
I know one of their later big songs was written about Syd Barrett, but those brain cells of mine were killed long ago...maybe it was Welcome to the Machine.
His song titles still send a chill up my spine.
ABP
DSUWQ
SAT
Careful with that ax Eugene....
Goodnight Syd.
I believe "Comfortably Numb" was written with Syd in mind.
Comfortably Numb.
Remember when you were young,
You shone like the sun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now there's a look in your eyes,
Like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
You were caught on the crossfire
Of childhood and stardom,
Blown on the steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter,
Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon,
You cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Threatened by shadows at night,
And exposed in the light.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome
With random precision,
Rode on the steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!
(Rest in peace, Mr. Barrett)
Probably the best imitation of Barrett-era Floyd was from XTC (as The Dukes of Stratosphear) on "Chips From the Chocolate Fireball."
bttt
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