Syd Barrett

He remained a member for only a short period, and is remembered principally for his contributions to the band's first album, Piper at the Gates of Dawn, and the hit single "See Emily Play". Although his activity in pop music was short, he has had a lot of influence on the composition of sixties music.

As Pink Floyd's popularity grew, the consumption of psychotropic drugs increased. His appearance became unpredictable and his behavior a burden. After recording Pink Floyd's second album, Barrett left the group. Syd increasingly withdrew from the world of music, releasing a couple of idiosyncratic solo albums The Madcap Laughs and Barrett en route. In these albums he worked together with bandmates from Pink Floyd Members and members of The Soft Machine[?].

The Pink Floyd album Wish You Were Here (1975) was evocative of Syd; the song "Shine on you crazy diamond", which opens and closes the album, has been acknowledged by Floyd members to be explicitly about Syd. The Television Personalities[?] track "I know where Syd Barrett lives"' is another well-known tribute.

Syd Barrett now resides at what was his mother's house in Cambridge. In 1988 there was a release of old demo-tapes on the album Opel.

Discography

• The Madcap Laughs
• Barrett
• The Peel Sessions
• Opel

External links:

• http://www.sydbarrett.net/
• http://www.pink-floyd.org/barrett/
• http://www.observer.co.uk/magazine/story/0,11913,804928,00