According to these reports. Syd Barrett was an original member of Pink Floyd and also released the brilliant "Madcap Laughs" and "Barrett" LPs in the early 70s. Shortly thereafter he withdrew from music and became a recluse. RIP Syd.
Here's a fascinating article on the influence of Syd, written 20 summers ago by our own Wm Berger for our pre-digi digest "Lowest Common Denominator": Page 1 || Page 2
(Real Audio links) Syd Barrett: "Terrapin" || "Gigolo Aunt" || "Baby Lemonade"
Pink Floyd: "Interstellar Overdrive"
(mp3 for download 2.4 MB): "I'm Not Here" (Scott Williams' aching loop of the last thing Syd did with the Floyd)
(Via Hatch)
UPDATE: Here's Liz Berg's tribute to Syd on her show this morning. (mp3 stream, expires 7/25, after which you're stuck with the Realaudio here)
Listen to Syd's last interview in April 2005: ... (mp3 here)
Posted by: notabird | July 11, 2006 at 11:24 AM
Where, where the hell is Syd?
Posted by: Janey Yonkers | July 11, 2006 at 11:32 AM
I can't believe it-
Posted by: Em | July 11, 2006 at 12:09 PM
Farewell, Syd. RIP
Posted by: Neal | July 11, 2006 at 12:22 PM
Holy s**t!
Is this 100% true?
Posted by: Pornophonics | July 11, 2006 at 12:55 PM
won't you miss me, wouldn't you miss me at all?
Posted by: mark | July 11, 2006 at 01:00 PM
thanks for sharing this stuff.
Posted by: will | July 11, 2006 at 01:09 PM
A deeply sad day. I am devastated. I have published a tribute to him which I found very hard to do. http://sonicpollutions.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Baz | July 11, 2006 at 01:15 PM
"Listen to Syd's last interview in April 2005" - this ain't a real interview, folks. No one who knew him called him Syd actually - His family called him Roger. He lived in Cambridge UK, he didn't move to France, and he lived alone. Nice to hear that Television Personalities song, tho.
Posted by: MrFab | July 11, 2006 at 01:26 PM
I wasn't amused by the "final interview" joke either. Not today particularly.
Stick to "Piper" and "Madcap" and don't forget the Floyd singles, "Jugband Blues", "Scream Thy Last Scream" and "Vegetable Man" for the true Syd.
Posted by: Baz | July 11, 2006 at 01:54 PM
Also, blogger doesn't support trackback but I've linked to this post today because as usual WFMU kicks ass.
Posted by: will | July 11, 2006 at 02:21 PM
WTF is the deal with that awful loop thing?? Yuck
Posted by: Merle Heinz | July 11, 2006 at 05:30 PM
Young Syd may have been one of the most handsome pop stars ever.
Posted by: drewo | July 11, 2006 at 11:59 PM
Surprised that no one has noted this song that R. Stevie Moore recorded the very day we all got the sad news.
http://www.moorestevie.com/3/barrett.html
Posted by: emily | July 14, 2006 at 06:31 AM
I love Syd Barrett (Roger Barrett). He is one of my favorite people of all time!!!!
I love his sense of humor.
Damn, that guy was great!!!
-scott
Posted by: Scott Harlowe | July 20, 2006 at 01:47 AM
Syd barrett was the shiznit and the greatest artist ever ... FUCK david gilmour, fuck Roger waters for destroying syds career...
Posted by: oiluJ | June 11, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Rest in pace Syd. i never won't forget.You were...fantastic,amazingĀ” i love Syd
Shine on you crazy diamondĀ”
Posted by: Yeni | June 11, 2008 at 10:57 AM