Syd Barrett "A Psychedelic Descent Into Madness" 1/6/1946--7/7/2006

Born in Cambridge England in 1946 Syd was ready and at the right age for the psychedelic swinging London 1960's..

Syd was with Pink Floyd 1965-1968 a leader of early Floyd. His guitar work with the strange riffs echo chamber, dissonance, distortion influenced many rock musicians of the time ex. Paul McCartney, Pete Townsend and David Bowie, Jimmie Page, Marc Bolan to name a few.

Syd was also the topic of the floyds biggest hits post Syd...1970's

As Rick Wright stated...Syd was known to have disappeared while the floyd were doing a BBC session one weekend in spring 1968. He was found with a group of people who were known for their acid use. As well as acid spiked drinks....

Syd would comeback to floyd looking the same but totally burned out as if his mind had been esrased or elsewhere by a massive overdose of acid...

Syd would be a shell of himself and his decent into the unknown realms of the mind got worse...

A solo career began in 1969... it would cultimate on June 5th 1975 when he showed up unannounced at Floyds WYWH sessions..at Abbey Road studios.

Overweight and bald his former mates hadn't realized who it was when Water's and Gilmore did they began to cry, they couldn't bare to look at Syds decent into madness..as well his physical appearance as compared to a young and vibrant Syd 1967...

Barrett had many interests and hobbies after Floyd. Photography and trips to the Botanical Garden were among Syds interest in his later life. Syd would also take a train ride to downtown London to go to Art shows...

Rick Wright on Syd Barrett

Pink Floyd - The Story of Wish You Were Here 2012...: Pink Floyd - The Story of Wish You Were Here 2012 legendado PT-BR »

I always liked Barrett floyd and all his contributions to The Floyd. Love The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

 

I stumbled across this blog about a year ago, it's a lengthy article but it has a different perspective on Syd's story from anything else I've read.

 

Just bumping me Syd....

Miss me Syd....

 

I've listened to "Barrett" quite frequently lately and I don't think it's so mad. It's a great psychedelic pop album. I think "The Madcap Laughs" is a lot more 'out there' and it was recorded before "Barrett". There's so many artists out there trying to be mad and original. It's good to have Syd.

 

Two great far out Barrett albums..

 

I have a Barrett compilation which I greatly enjoy... soon I'll have to pick up the 2 complete albums.

First place I heard any Syd was on the Works compilation in the mid-80s - just Emily and Arnold Layne. Eventually I'd get round to hearing Piper and loving it from top to bottom. But first stop after Works was Saucerful of Secrets.

I love the early singles and Piper......but especially Saucerful. I get that Syd's not on the whole thing, and it's a transitional album, but it blew me away when I first heard it some 30 years ago.

 

Syd was incredible before the acid burn out spring 1968 the man was very creative very inspirational the man was ahead of his time..

 

So true..... I'm not sure why I didn't hear Piper right away... but when I got round to it, oh boy!

 

The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (40th Anniversary Edition) Pink Floyd - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (40th Anniversary Edition) - Amazon.com Music »

 

Could imagine if Syd had kept it together after Piper wow floyd would have been something you know even though they became something but I mean with Syd as an extra part with with Waters and Gilmore...super 1970's WOW!!

 

Syd Barrett Greatness...

 

I picked up the Mono/Stereo 2CD edition a few years back. I love both versions, and it's hard to pick a clear winner.

And the madness of "Apples And Oranges"

Thus far my favorite solo Syd songs have been "Terrapin", "Late Night", "Here I Go", and"Octopus".

 

Love this tune

 

Yeah I think he was fantastic. There are enough 'normies' out there as it is.

 

Tell me about it...follow the rules

Introduction To Syd Barrett SYD BARRETT - Introduction To Syd Barrett - Amazon.com Music »

 

I wouldn't spend much energy arguing that Syd was/wasn't mad, but I prefer to frame his art as "beguiling."

There are some outstanding geniuses out there in the arts, but nothing else quite like him.
If I was ever forced to pick a side, I'd put my chips on Barrett.

Excellent screen quotes in this video - heartbreaking really:

 

Dude THANKS for the comments and video

 

Been reading the book "An Irregular Head" lately, has anybody else read it? Mr. Good Trip?

 

I only have "The Madcap Laughs" and have been thinking of getting "Barrett" soon.
Apart from that, what are your opinions on "Opel"? I seem to remember that Gilmore said it was garbage when it appeared on the market.
Apart from those albums, are there any other stray tracks apart from in the Crazy Diamond box set?

 

So many gorgeous and tasteful pieces of music from him. Add the weirdness and it's a great combination. Truly an original.

Quite possibly the most enigmatic person in rock music. For me, obviously.

 

Syd was mentally ill and he and his family and friends suffered by all accounts due to his illness. I'm sure that he would have preferred to be a 'normie.'

 

A Syd bump...

going to get to it eventually..

 

I think it's unfortunate that the "massive dose of acid" angle has gotten so much attention over the years. The guy was mentally ill BEFORE he took any acid. Maybe the acid made it worse, maybe it didn't. But I don't think he was ever going to be a functioning member of society.

 

AGREED the acid just accelerated the mental illness...IMHO

 

Big admirer of Syd's music. Desperately sad about what happened to him and for that matter for anyone with those kinds of problems.
Surely it's time for the "all-things-Syd" audio and video Immersion box set with money going to the trust his family set up or similar.
Let's hope there's more footage of Syd's Floyd out there just waiting to be discovered or digitised.