Syd Barrett

Syd Barrett was born on 6 January 1946 in Cambridge, England. He was the fourth of five children of Arthur Max Barrett, a prominent pathologist, and Louise Barrett, a homemaker. He had a passion for music, art and literature from an early age. He learned to play the piano, banjo, ukulele and guitar. He also enjoyed painting, writing and reading. He was influenced by jazz, blues, rock and roll, folk and classical music, as well as by authors such as Lewis Carroll, J.R.R. Tolkien and H.P. Lovecraft. He attended Cambridgeshire High School for Boys, where he met Roger Waters, who would become his bandmate in Pink Floyd. He also befriended other future musicians and artists such as David Gilmour, Storm Thorgerson and Nick Mason. He acquired the nickname Syd after a local jazz musician named Sid Barrett. He used both names interchangeably for several years. In 1964, he moved to London to study at the Camberwell College of Arts. There he met other aspiring artists and musicians who shared his interest in the emerging psychedelic scene. He formed a band called The Tea Set with Waters, Mason and Richard Wright. They later changed their name to The Pink Floyd Sound, inspired by two blues musicians named Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Barrett came up with the name and became the leader of the band. He wrote most of their songs, sang lead vocals and played lead guitar. He also experimented with various sound effects and techniques, such as feedback, distortion, echo and slide guitar. The band gained popularity in the underground circuit, playing at venues such as the UFO Club, the Marquee Club and the Roundhouse. They also performed at various festivals and events, such as the 14 Hour Technicolor Dream and the Games for May. They attracted attention for their innovative and unconventional music, which combined elements of rock, pop, jazz, avant-garde and classical music. They also created elaborate light shows and projections to accompany their performances. In 1967, they signed a record deal with EMI and released their first single, Arnold Layne, which was banned by some radio stations for its controversial lyrics about a cross-dressing thief. Their second single, See Emily Play, was more successful and reached number six on the UK charts. Their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, was released in August 1967 and was hailed as a masterpiece of psychedelic rock. It featured songs such as Astronomy Domine, Interstellar Overdrive and Bike, which showcased Barrett's whimsical and imaginative style of songwriting. However, Barrett's mental health began to deteriorate around this time. He became increasingly erratic and unpredictable due to his excessive use of LSD and other drugs. He also suffered from stress and pressure from the music industry and the media. He started to show signs of schizophrenia, such as paranoia, delusions and hallucinations. He became withdrawn and uncommunicative with his bandmates and friends. He often forgot his lyrics or chords on stage or refused to play at all. He sometimes shaved his head or eyebrows or wore bizarre makeup or clothes. In April 1968, Barrett was officially replaced by David Gilmour as the lead guitarist of Pink Floyd. He remained as a songwriter for a while but soon left the band completely. He embarked on a solo career with the help of some former bandmates and other musicians. He released two solo albums in 1970: The Madcap Laughs and Barrett. Both albums featured songs that reflected his fragile mental state and personal struggles. Some of them were hauntingly beautiful while others were disturbingly chaotic. In 1972, Barrett retired from the music industry and moved back to Cambridge. He lived a reclusive life with his mother and sister for the next 34 years. He rarely gave interviews or made public appearances. He devoted himself to painting and gardening. He also suffered from diabetes and other health problems. He died of pancreatic cancer on 7 July 2006 at the age of 60. Syd Barrett is widely regarded as one of the most influential and original musicians of the 20th century. His music and art have inspired countless artists and fans across genres and generations. He is also remembered as a tragic figure who succumbed to his own genius and madness. His former bandmates paid tribute to him in several songs, such as Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Wish You Were Here and Dark Side of the Moon. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Pink Floyd in 1996.