SYD BARRETT
If only the madcap would laugh again...

As far as I have been able to determine some of you have actually heard of 'Syd', or Roger Keith Barrett as he is really called. Most people have NOT heard of him, and it is my goal to get them to know him. Partly because Syd has played a significant role in the history and evolution of music. Even though he has only been in the spotlight for a limited number of years, he has left an impression not many can compete with. Another reason for doing this is that I think he deserves to be recognized, so his memory will live on, forever. Syd was, of course, a former member of the band that earned a place amongst the dinosaurs of rock, namely PINK FLOYD.

Being the main songwriter he had a big influence on the band. But Syd, being quite an unstable character, got involved into the early LSD-experiments of those days and that eventually caused him to be dumped by the rest of the band. His behaviour on stage and off became unbearable and a way had to be found to ensure the future of the band. other SYD / PINK FLOYD related sites
( see below ).

After he got thrown out of the band he continued to be involved with music and he has made several albums since:

• The Madcap laughs ( Harvest SHVL 765, January 1970 );
• Barrett ( Harvest SHSP 4007, November 1970 );
• Opel ( Harvest SHSP 4126, Octobre 1988)

What more can I tell you? I could tell you when and where he was born. What schools he went to. Who his friends were. How his relationship with the rest of his family was. What he liked doing. What kind of music he likes. But what would I gain by doing that? Would you feel better knowing all that crap? Would it help you being able to like him? Or would I be bragging about my knowledge of Syd? Would I be one more @$$hole showing off? It wouldn't help him in any way!! What I am trying to do here is tell you that it would be worthwhile trying to get to know his MUSIC! As for the person 'Syd'....he's dead! Syd Barrett died years ago! What's left is an elderly person that likes to listen to classical music, that likes to paint and live a nice, quiet life. As far away from reality as humanly possible. As for people that are obsessed with him and track him down, harass him by going up to his house, taking pictures of him, those people are sick! If they would really care for the peron at all they would respect his wishes and leave him alone! Syd is dead! And Roger Barrett is living in Cambridge, scarred for life!! Living off his royalties that supply him with enough money to be able to live like that. If you really want to help him, buy his albums. You won't regret it, I promise. Once you get to know his songs, you realize what could have been.

What more? I could include .WAV files of Syd coughing or Syd saying 'OK' or mumbling incoherently to himself. I could type down all of his lyrics. I could give an endless line of pics. But I won't. The ones that did are stated below. Please visit these links in honour of Syd, hoping the madcap will, one day, be able to laugh again......

"Remember when you were young? You shone like the sun (...)
Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky..."

--Shine on you Crazy Diamond, PINK FLOYD--

Syd related links

Pink Floyd related links

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