Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd [Archive]

View Full Version : Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd

Keith Erickson

Jul-11-2006, 10:55am

Syd Barrett (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202921,00.html) passed away a few days ago according to Fox News.

Syd was one of the founding members of Pink Floyd. His contributions to the world of music turned many of us into Pink Floyd fans.

Even though he was out of the music business for quite a number of years, Syd will be truly missed by many. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

fishdawg40

Jul-11-2006, 12:19pm

What a shame. I had just discovered "The Madcap Laughs." What a fantastic album. Very tragic/interesting decline he had in the late sixties(?). He's one of the lesser known secrets (gems) of rock history.

mandopete

Jul-11-2006, 7:52pm

Shine On You Crazy Diamond!

fishdawg40

Jul-11-2006, 9:15pm

Shine On You Crazy Diamond!
Mandopete, very nice connection! #Is this your interpretation or is it widely (comparatively) known?

Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky...

andy.bole

Jul-12-2006, 4:20am

Its widely known.

mandopete

Jul-12-2006, 9:04am

Yes, I believe there is even mention of the several songs that were written with Syd in mind in the linked article.

Now if only I could get Dark Side Of The Moon to line up with The Wizard of Oz!

Keith Erickson

Jul-12-2006, 9:45am

Now if only I could get Dark Side Of The Moon to line up with The Wizard of Oz!
....you can, right after the 3rd roar of the lion.

However every once in a Blue Moon (of Kentucky http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif ) , A&E runs the Wizard of Oz synched with the Dark Side of the Moon.

Plamen Ivanov

Jul-12-2006, 10:53am

I learned about his death this morning. A really great artist that he was! But because of his mysterious life in the last years many people thought he was dead. I even won a bet some time ago. A friend of mine insisted that he was dead.

fishdawg40

Jul-12-2006, 11:16am

Now if only I could get Dark Side Of The Moon to line up with The Wizard of Oz!

Check this out on Google video... The Dark Side of Oz (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4935715412555856092&q=dark+side+of+oz)

Garrett

Jul-12-2006, 11:54am

He was an extraordinarily playful , weird artist. I loved him. Barrett is also a great record. But my favorite is "Lucifer Sam".

Moose

Jul-12-2006, 1:14pm

Farewell Syd! - go rest rest high on that mountain! - http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Daniel Nestlerode

Jul-12-2006, 1:50pm

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
I read about it this morning too.
He was only 60.

I'm listening to "See Emily Play."

Daniel

mandocrucian

Jul-12-2006, 10:58pm

Syd Barrett song lyrics (http://www.pink-floyd.org/barrett/sydlyrics.html)

Used to listen to Barrett/The Madcap Laughs a fair amount late 70's/early 80's.
Messed around with a few of his songs ("The Gnome", "Arnold Layne", "The Scarecrow") and the occasional obscure Barrett reference pops up now and then in stuff I've recorded.

Best Syd track , imo, is "Vegetable Man" which unfortunately is only out there on boots. #Robyn Hitchcock was once quite Syd influenced (did "Vegetable Man" on the The Soft Boys - Underwater Moonlight album).

NH

Dave Caulkins

Jul-15-2006, 3:40pm

My old garage band used to do several Barrett period tunes, with "Gnome" being the most long lived and accurate. I used to listen to "Piper" and "Saucerful" by Floyd alot, and I gave a number of plays to "Opel" and "Madcap". In his time, he was a mad genius.

It is sad to hear he has passed away, 'though with his former lifestyle it is no surprise that he died young.

Dave

Santiago

Jul-16-2006, 2:10pm

Wish you were here.

jefflester

Jul-17-2006, 6:56pm

Arnold Layne video:

Why Can't You See! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brJAUIWPiCM)

mandocrucian

Jul-17-2006, 10:06pm

Good article on Barrett with sound clips (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=61::67NP)

luckylarue

Jul-17-2006, 11:45pm

Nice article, Niles. Time to dig out my Barrett and Madcap Laughs imports. I haven't listened to them in a long time.

Ken Waltham

Jul-18-2006, 9:17am

I'm sure you guys know that Syd dropped out due to mental problems fueled by excessive LSD use. He was already having trouble, but the acid pushed him over the edge.
He came into the studio during the recording of Wish you were here" and no one recognized him. This deeply upset Roger Waters.
He was "old and bald" by their account, and had been "lost" for so many years.
It's no secret that Wish You Were Here, ( one of the best ever albums IMHO) is about Syd. In fact, the title Shine on You crazy Diamond, refers to Syd, and Lennon's Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds..(LSD) Shine on you crazy diamond...(SYD)

Keith Erickson

Jul-18-2006, 5:42pm

I'm sure you guys know that Syd dropped out due to mental problems fueled by excessive LSD use.
Ken,

Yes many of us were aware of Syds issues.

However when I started this thread, I wanted to give Syd the respect that he deserved by shining light on his accomplishments rather than his downfalls.

May he finally find the peace that eluded him in this world.

Ken Waltham

Jul-19-2006, 6:53am

I really did n't mean those comments as downfalls, just observation. One reader wondered if this stuff was "common knowledge".
Wish You Were Here is really a great testament to Syd's genius, and Floyd has never failed to acknowledge over and over again their debt to Syd for his artistic vision.
Quite simply, the man founded one the most important bands ever.

Keith Erickson

Jul-19-2006, 8:22am