InternationalPlayboy
07-11-2006, 07:32 AM
Syd Barrett, founder of Pink Floyd, dies
By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press Writer
4 minutes
ago
Syd Barrett, the troubled genius who co-founded Pink Floyd but spent his last years in reclusive
anonymity, has died, a spokeswoman for the band said Tuesday. He was 60.
The spokeswoman — who declined to
give her name until the band made an official announcement — confirmed media reports that he had died. She said
Barrett died several days ago, but she did not disclose the cause of death. Barrett had suffered from diabetes for
many years.
Barrett co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 with David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright, and wrote
many of the band's early songs. The group's jazz-infused rock made them darlings of the London psychedelic scene,
and the 1967 album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" — largely written by Barrett, who also played guitar — was a
commercial and critical hit.
However, Barrett suffered from mental instability, exacerbated by his use of
LSD. His behavior grew increasingly erratic, and he left the group in 1968 — five years before the release of Pink
Floyd's most popular album, "Dark Side of the Moon." He was replaced by David Gilmour.
Barrett released two
solo albums — "The Madcap Laughs" and "Barrett" — but soon withdrew from the music business altogether.
He
spent much of the rest of his life living quietly in his hometown of Cambridge, England, where he was a familiar
figure, often seen cycling or walking to the corner store.
Despite his brief career, Barrett's fragile,
wistful songs influenced many musicians, from David Bowie — who covered the Barrett track "See Emily Play" — to the
other members of Pink Floyd, who recorded the album "Wish You Were Here" as a tribute to their troubled
bandmate.
The band spokeswoman said a small, private funeral would be held.
By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press Writer
4 minutes
ago
Syd Barrett, the troubled genius who co-founded Pink Floyd but spent his last years in reclusive
anonymity, has died, a spokeswoman for the band said Tuesday. He was 60.
The spokeswoman — who declined to
give her name until the band made an official announcement — confirmed media reports that he had died. She said
Barrett died several days ago, but she did not disclose the cause of death. Barrett had suffered from diabetes for
many years.
Barrett co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 with David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright, and wrote
many of the band's early songs. The group's jazz-infused rock made them darlings of the London psychedelic scene,
and the 1967 album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" — largely written by Barrett, who also played guitar — was a
commercial and critical hit.
However, Barrett suffered from mental instability, exacerbated by his use of
LSD. His behavior grew increasingly erratic, and he left the group in 1968 — five years before the release of Pink
Floyd's most popular album, "Dark Side of the Moon." He was replaced by David Gilmour.
Barrett released two
solo albums — "The Madcap Laughs" and "Barrett" — but soon withdrew from the music business altogether.
He
spent much of the rest of his life living quietly in his hometown of Cambridge, England, where he was a familiar
figure, often seen cycling or walking to the corner store.
Despite his brief career, Barrett's fragile,
wistful songs influenced many musicians, from David Bowie — who covered the Barrett track "See Emily Play" — to the
other members of Pink Floyd, who recorded the album "Wish You Were Here" as a tribute to their troubled
bandmate.
The band spokeswoman said a small, private funeral would be held.