Syd Barrett 1971-73 - Twilight of an Idol

Good read, thanks.
His "looking for a band" plight just after PF is mildly reminiscent of frail Brian Jones ex-Stones looking for the right guys. FOr better of worse at least Syd got the chance..and might have had a step forward instead of back if they hadn't been opened by the MC5 for gawdsakes! "An evening with Syd" had promise.

I forgot to mention it in a "ealy PF" thread, but Sam Cutler's book "You Can't Always Get What You Want; My life with the Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead and other wonderful reprobates" also dedicates some pages to Sam and his pal Ron Greesin spending time with early Syd and PF, Ron being a friend and influence to Mason Wright & Waters, Mason & Wright pointing Sam at Blackhill Entreprises (concert promotions), and Nick spending time with Sam producing proto-punk unit Screw at Landsdowne Studios on 13 May 1969.

 

Thanks Chris, I remember the original article and am looking forward to reading the unexpurgated version...I've printed it out, I can't abide trying to read long pieces on a screen.
Good of Mark to allow you to do this too.

 

thanks very much for sharing. it is an even-handed and revealing piece. not at all sensational like many Barrett pieces.

 

Another vote of thanks to Chris for posting this, and to praise the article itself. Very interesting, and I didn't find it at all 'sad' - if anything it focuses on a phase of Syd's life/persona that is usually described in over-simplified cliches, and fleshes it out in a positive/favourable way.

 

Great details; wonderfully written piece. I had completely forgotten about Twink's having been in Stars! His solo album Think Pink would indicate that he and Syd were definitely kindred spirits, musically speaking, anyway.

 

Thanks for that.

On some recordings and studio chatter on Opel, Syd sounds very 'luded-out (self medication?). Imagine if he had sensitive management but maybe that's an oxymoron. It's also possible that losing his hair may have played a role in his retreat after 73.

 

I really enjoy articles like the one written by Mark Sturdy. It gives insight into Barrett the man, not his rock star image. Rock journalism often borders on the tabloids, with the focus not on the people but on the sensatioinalistic. It can be so disappointing.

Articles such as this are few and far between. Nice to have it brought to the attention of those that missed it the first time around.

 

“Once you’ve opened a certain door into the creative garden, you are always an artist. It’s like being a champion boxer. Even if you only win one fight and win the championship, you’ll always be a champion.”


Very true and something that is missed by those who have never been "in the ring" so to speak. I'll hear criticism about people like Peter Green post-FM and it seems like so few have any idea as to what it really means to be damaged. Who knows what he might have achieved with the proper care (what we know now for example and the improved medications compared to the other stuff from ages ago).

Thanks for sharing Chris. A great article with a sad undercurrent about a talented, damaged person who, perhaps, only had half a life.

 

Thanks for posting this beautiful piece- it succeeds most by not focusing on the cult or persona or image, but shows a glimpse into the humanity of a person like Syd.

I think we often get caught up in the history and minutia of our heroes and sometimes lose sight of the actual person behind the mask, so to speak.

Syd was only a man, troubled and gifted, who was unfortunately saddled with a legacy that someone who did not suffer from mental illness would probably find difficult to live up to. While we often wonder "what if..." or "if only..." perhaps it's best to defer to the man himself and think that he was doing exactly what he wanted by living a quiet life with his close family away from the scrutiny of the world.

 

Thanks for posting this wicked sad story Chris. Syd reminds me of my brother who was also a gifted musician and student who was brought low by mental illness.

 

thanks, chris - that was great

have any details on exactly what syd died of been made public? i don't ever remember there being anything definitive announced

and also, was there a memorial service or funeral?

 

Wikipedia has a short section concerning his death. It was commonly reported that he died from complications due to diabetes. Wiki states is was Pancreatic Cancer; I hadn't heard that before. They also mention a tribute concert help some 10 months after his death.

 

great post Chris. I'd read some of that previously, but not all of it. this is one of my favourite quotes:

 

Great read thanks!

 

Brilliant article, thanks very much.

 

Glad you guys liked it. I'll have to tell Mark. Below is the only photo of Syd with Stars that has turned up. Mark looked high and low for photos and this is all that turned up. Jack Monk remembers seeing lots of good quality photos of the band back in the day but they appear to be lost. The recordings of the gigs appear to be lost as well save for a recording of the so called "Last Minute Put Together Boogie Band" which was discovered a few years ago.

 

Vegtable man.. where are you? not the best photo but we'll take what we can get, so glad to get that expanded article thanks a bunch (printed it to read later).

 

"Shine on, you crazy diamond!"

 

love the spalling guys.

 

I've got these visions of someone handing all that stuff over to Syd, and then him later giving it to someone, or using it for one of his bonfires years later...

 

+1

 

Really enjoyed the article, thanks for posting.

 

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It's great to read an article about Syd that isn't full of "what ifs" and dreams about what could have been... Thanks for posting some facts about this tortured man.