Syd Barrett, erstwhile original frontman of prog-rock behemoths Pink Floyd, died aged 60 last Friday at his hideaway in Cambridgeshire, The Guardian are reporting.
The iconic figure - who joined Pink Floyd in 1965 only to leave three years later - suffered from diabetes, and it is thought that complications relating to this condition finally put paid to what had often been a strange and tormented life.
Syd's brother Alan confirmed his death, saying simply:
"He died peacefully at home. There will be a private family funeral in the next few days."
Although he didn't perform as a part of Pink Floyd after his 1968 departure, and effectively contributed to only one album (The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn), Barrett - born Roger Keith Barrett - enjoyed limited solo success, and his former bandmates' 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond', a live favourite, was penned as an eulogy to him.
David Bowie heads a strong field of musicians giving props to Barrett.
"I can't tell you how sad I feel. Syd was a major inspiration for me.
"The few times I saw him perform in London at UFO and the Marquee clubs during the 60s will forever be etched in my mind. He was so charismatic and such a startlingly original songwriter.
"His impact on my thinking was enormous. A major regret is that I never got to know him. A diamond indeed."
Graham Coxon had this to say: "For bang on 20 years Syd led me to better places."
RIP
Syd, me and my mates will be singing wish you were here in your honor tonight. we would play shine one...but we cant.
To a visionary.
Hang on
I thought Syd only played on their first record... not on anything later like Wish YOou Were Here... am I kerazy?!?!
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
was written about Syd.
Ah...
That makes total sense then, sorry.
[...]
omg
:( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(
Rest In Peace
A true genius of his time.
Shine On
A sad loss
He may not have made much music but what he did make stood the test of time and will continue to do so.
I'm going to put on "See Emily Play" as a tribute.
Such sad news :(
The end of a sad story
Can I just say, this is one of those times when having adverts at the bottom of news items really, really sucks.
:'(
Only found this out cos colin text me.. rest in peace x
Goodnight Syd
Absolutely gutted. RIP, Syd.
RIP
Without Syd and Pink Floyd i wouldn't like music. Simple fact.
Can we have a profile to rate? as a tribute or something?
LVcifer Sam=====++>>>>A�ˆA�ˆ
Lucifer Sam***+++R.I.P. Syd Bro.You Will Be Greatly Missed My Friend...This World is now a Lonelier Place Without you."
although he was no longer doing anything
this is still sad news
i imagine the record companys will be using this as an oppurtinity to re-issue his solo albums, maybe?
Well,
he had been somewhat inactive of late. Or had he? Perhaps Jeff Buckley's Mum will unearth a whole vault of recordings he never wanted anyone to hear and sell them to Columbia for several hundred million dollars...
bless Syd...I hope he finds some peace
The guy was an effortless genius...such a fantastic lyricist
very sad news.
RIP Syd. I'm going to go and listen to 'piper at the gates of dawn' very loud as a little tribute
88
sad
What an absolute legend
One of the best. The worst bit is the speculation about what might have been.
)))))))))))))))))))=
Only just heard about this
Not good.
Poor guy. Rightly or wrongly: Legend
RIP
I guess. Never listened to Pink Floyd much but still.
http://www.musictimes.com.au
Have just signed in
in an internet cafe in Berlin after hearing about this.
RIP Syd
A Podcast Tribute To Syd
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