Syd Barrett has gone to the great gig in the sky

[SlightlyMad]

Just read the news:

LONDON (Reuters) - Syd Barrett, a founding member of Pink Floyd, has died aged 60, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

The singer and guitarist, who left the band in 1968 and has lived the life of a recluse for the last 30 years, had been suffering from diabetes, but it was not immediately clear what caused his death.

No official confirmation could be immediately obtained.



More details available on the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5169344.stm) website.

Piper at the Gates of Dawn will always be my favourite Floyd album.
I'm sure all thoughts & prayers go out to his family & friends.
Shine on you crazy diamond...

[Ontir]

There is a local anchor in LA called Kent Shocknek (SP?), and he's a good-looking, OK anchor, but he hasn't a clue, and he was reading this news today, obviously with no idea who Barret or Pink Floyd are. I was stunned, not only by the news, but by his obvlivious state at such news. Sad news, indeed.

[tricksterpup]

Syd, you shall be missed.


Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now theres a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
You were caught on the crossfire of childhood and stardom, blown on the
Steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter, come on you stranger, you legend,
You martyr, and shine!

You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Threatened by shadows at night, and exposed in the light.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome with random precision, rode on the
Steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions, come on you painter, you piper,
You prisoner, and shine!

[Lubichev]

One of the last true rock and roll eccentrics/casualties is gone. RIP.

[Buried Alien]

"Shine on you crazy diamond..."

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Albert]

Oh no.. no, no, no! This is very depressing news.

Whenever I think of Barrett, Bike is the first thing I think of (from Piper at the Gates of Dawn).

Bike
(Barrett)

I've got a bike, you can ride it if you like.
It's got a basket, a bell that rings
And things to make it look good.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.

You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
I'll give you anything, everything if you want things.

I've got a cloak it's a bit of a joke.
There's a tear up the front. It's red and black.
I've had it for months.
If you think it could look good, then I guess it should.

You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
I'll give you anything, everything if you want things.

I know a mouse, and he hasn't got a house.
I don't know why I call him Gerald.
He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.

You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
I'll give you anything, everything if you want things.

I've got a clan of gingerbread men.
Here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men.
Take a couple if you wish. They're on the dish.

You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
I'll give you anything, everything if you want things.

I know a room full of musical tunes.
Some rhyme, some ching, most of them are clockwork.
Let's go into the other room and make them work.

So long, Syd

[Lubichev]

Piper at the Gates of Dawn


IMO, the best Floyd album.

[Adam Crocker]

http://www.nme.com/news/pink-floyd/23574

Bowie has long declared himself a massive fan of Barrett-era Floyd. He showed just how much by singing their debut single 'Arnold Layne' at guitarist David Gilmour's solo show at the London Royal Albert Hall last month. It was Bowie's first live appearance in two years following a serious illness.

He said on hearing today's news: "I can't tell you how sad I feel. Syd was a major inspiration for me.

"The few times I saw him perform in London at UFO and the Marquee clubs during the 60s will forever be etched in my mind. He was so charismatic and such a startlingly original songwriter. Also, along with Anthony Newley, he was the first guy I'd heard to sing pop or rock with a British accent.

"His impact on my thinking was enormous. A major regret is that I never got to know him. A diamond indeed."

Graham Coxon was also among those paying tribute, telling NME.COM: "For bang on 20 years Syd led me to better places."

It's also worth noting that Barrett's was hugely influential on a great number of post-punk and 80s alt-rock bands, as well as Brian Eno and Can. Personally I've always favoured Barrett Floyd over the rest of Pink Floyd. It's just stranger music to me. Even if he didn't produce anything since 1972 I am sorry to hear of his death.

[Albert]

IMO, the best Floyd album.

For me, its a bit like picking your favorite daughter, if that makes any sense. But yeah.. Piper is probably first, up there with A Saucerful of Secrets (you never forget your first, and that was my first Floyd album.. though Syd had much less to do with that one).

[Patrick Zircher]

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[Deathstroke]

"Shine on you crazy diamond..."

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

Best way to say goodbye I'd think.

[JazzFromHell]

Just heard the news this morning...a terrible loss.

R.I.P. Syd

Shine on, wish you were here.

[Dennis K]

Shine on you crazy diamond.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Its a shame how things and fate had went. Imagine the effect on music had Barrett not got done in by the ills of drug use. Can you imagine how much more he could have done with Pink Floyd as a whole.

R.I.P Syd Barrett...you will be missed.