RIP Syd, Syd Barrett dies aged 60

***kleefarr*** · 11-07-2006

Syd Barrett, the former lead singer of Pink Floyd and one of the key figures of the 60s, has died at the Cambridgeshire home to which he retreated as a recluse more than 30 years ago.
The Guardian has learned that the singer, 60, who suffered from a psychedelic-drug induced breakdown while at the peak of his career, died last Friday from cancer.

His brother Alan confirmed his death, saying only: "He died peacefully at home. There will be a private family funeral in the next few days."

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Born Roger Keith Barrett in Cambridge in 1946, he acquired the nickname Syd aged 15. He left Pink Floyd in 1968, just as the band was about to achieve worldwide recognition, and lived in the basement of his mother Winfred's semi-detached house, where he boarded up the windows to keep out the eyes of both the press and fans. He recorded two solo albums.
Pink Floyd's Shine on You Crazy Diamond, from the 1975 album Wish You Were Here, was said by many to be a salute to him. Barrett's use of drugs, particularly LSD, in the 60s, was well-documented and he was often described as the original acid casualty.

Dave Gilmour, the Pink Floyd guitarist drafted in to the band during a period in which Barrett was behaving erratically, said in an interview earlier this year that he thought that Barrett's breakdown would have happened anyway.

He said: "It was a deep-rooted thing. But I'll say the psychedelic experience might well have acted as a catalyst. Still, I just don't think he could deal with the vision of success and all the things that went with it."

Rock 'em in Heaven!!

**Llew** · 11-07-2006

That is indeed bad news.

I was a great fan of Syd right from the early days here in Cambridge, when he played in small groups in local pubs.

I saw him quite recently, doing his usual shopping trip at the local Sainbury's, always in a world of his own, but he would never speak to friends or fans who recognised him.

He was truly an original and gifted songwriter, before the acid jumbled his brain.

Hope you're at peace now, Roger.

Llew

***kleefarr*** · 11-07-2006

A tribute to Syd from Pink FLoyd - Wish you were here

**hmadfai** · 11-07-2006

Innaa lillah wa inna ilayhi raji'oon (translation: we all belong to God and to Him we will all return). May he rest in peace!

H

grahamd180 · 11-07-2006

May the Diamond keep on shining,wherever he is !!!

**PaulR** · 15-07-2006

Christ, I feel old. Another one bites the dust, At least we still have Arnold Lane and Emily Playing.

Likvid · 14-05-2007

Anyone here went to the concert at Barbican Hall in London where they celebrated the life and music of Syd Barrett?

I heard it was great.

***Saturlight*** · 14-05-2007

You'd think he would have been more than 60...

I don't know him by name, but I liked Pink Floyd. RIP. Sad when someone with so much to offer, goes so young.

**PaulR** · 14-05-2007

Likvid

Isn't that a young Dave Gilmour you have as your avatar now?

Likvid · 15-05-2007

Originally Posted by PaulR

Likvid

Isn't that a young Dave Gilmour you have as your avatar now?

Yeah, always loved his music and talents

He is like the gift from god.

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