FMS-Blog : The Wildly Whimsical, Mostly Musical WebLog
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Syd Barrett has Died
One of the founding members of Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, died on July 7th 2006, at the age of 60.
Comments in the world's press include :
Comments in the world's press include :
He... wrote most of [Pink Floyd's] album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. But he struggled to cope with fame and drugs.
-BBC News
His songs were odd and charming combinations of childlike lyrics and swirling melodies, often augmented with strange arrangements. The titles alluded to space, the occult and sometimes nonsense: "Astronomy Domine," "Lucifer Sam," "Chapter 24."
-CNN
Amid reports that he was suffering from schizophrenia, Barrett managed to release two solo albums in 1970, The Madcap Laughs and Barrett. The bulk of the material from these albums, which have gained a huge cult following over the years, was written during Barrett's brief productive period of 1967-68. An independent career proved impossible: His one live solo gig was aborted after five songs.
-Rolling Stone
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.
-NME
Syd's demise inspired some of Pink Floyd's greatest songs, like Shine On You Crazy Diamond and Wish You Were Here. Today band members are prepared to share some of the blame for Barrett's mental breakdown.
-ABC (Australia)
His songs were odd and charming combinations of childlike lyrics and swirling melodies, often augmented with strange arrangements. The titles alluded to space, the occult and sometimes nonsense: "Astronomy Domine," "Lucifer Sam," "Chapter 24."
-CNN
Amid reports that he was suffering from schizophrenia, Barrett managed to release two solo albums in 1970, The Madcap Laughs and Barrett. The bulk of the material from these albums, which have gained a huge cult following over the years, was written during Barrett's brief productive period of 1967-68. An independent career proved impossible: His one live solo gig was aborted after five songs.
-Rolling Stone
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.
-NME
Syd's demise inspired some of Pink Floyd's greatest songs, like Shine On You Crazy Diamond and Wish You Were Here. Today band members are prepared to share some of the blame for Barrett's mental breakdown.
-ABC (Australia)
