R.I.P Syd Barrett

[Skummy]

Syd Barrett, the founding member and 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. Syd, 60, died last Friday from complications related to diabetes.

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."

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."

I'm actually crying. I can't believe this has happened.

[ACCBiggz]

I thought he had already passed away, still sad news.

[Tarheels.]

I saw this when I woke up and I was in a state of shock. Its terrible, I just couldn't believe that it had happened, it kind of came out of nowhere to me. R.I.P Syd

Edited July 11, 2006 by Boo-Boo The Dinosaur

[Crybaby Bunting]

I knew that he'd have to go sometime but not today Pink Floyd to me are the greatest band ever, and they might never have been what they were if it wasnt for Syds influence and departure. In a way its better he died peacefully than directly as a result of the drugs that caused his downfall.

Never been this shocked since eddie died

[TOG]

I'm hardly shocked about it, simply because he'd be out of the public eye for so long it's not like I had any reason to think he would be in great health. Still, very sad news, one of my favorite songwriters in his day.

RIP Syd.

[BlackFlagg]

RIP Syd

[livid]

Definitely a huge loss in terms of musical legends. Sad to see him go, especially since it was out of nowhere, but it said he died peacefully and that's all you can really ask for at this point.

RIP Syd Barrett.

[KCC]

Wow, this really came out of the blue since there has been little news on him at all for a while now.

RIP Syd .

[Hobo]

RIP Syd.

[Ash J. Williams]

This is just terrible, terrible news...I've never been a HUGE Floyd fan, but I'm just getting into their music. Oddly enough, my favorite CD is "Wish You Were Here".

R.I.P. Syd.