Wouldn't You Miss Me? Syd Barrett dies at 60
11th July, 2006
Syd Barrett, one of the original members of the legendary rock band, Pink Floyd, has died at the age of 60. A band spokesperson confirmed that he in fact died peacefully several days ago from complications due to diabetes. Barrett had suffered from diabetes for some years.
Born in 1946 as Roger Barrett, he went on to form Pink Floyd with Roger Waters, Richard Wright and Nick Mason. It was at this point that he assumed the name "Syd" so that there wouldn't be two Rogers in the band.
Barrett, who wrote many of Floyd's early songs, played guitar as well as contributing to the unique vocal combination on Floyd's "Piper at the Gates of Dawn", before leaving the band due to mental problems exacerbated by his addiction to LSD. The band recorded a second album, where Barratt is credited as composer. It was also Barratt who introduced his friend, David Gilmour to the band, who eventually went on to become the Floyd guitarist and a leading force within the band.
After leaving the band and having recorded two solo albums, Barrett moved back to his hometown Cambridge, where he gave up the music business altogether and rarely spoke to fans or the press. He did however continue to receive royalties from the first two Floyd albums, and from almost every authorised Floyd compilation as the other band members ensured that Barratt era songs were always featured.
Six years after leaving Pink Floyd, the band recorded the album "Wish You Were Here" as a tribute to Syd, who according to band members turned up at recording sessions looking so different to the man who left years before that they didn't at first recognise him.
The remaining Floyd members released a statement earlier today stating that they "are naturally very upset and sad to learn of Syd Barrett's death," and that "Syd was the guiding light of the early band line-up and leaves a legacy which continues to inspire."
Other stars to have paid their respects include David Bowie who saw Barrett as a "major inspiration, so charismatic and such a startlingly original songwriter", and former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon who says he's "lost him again".
A small private funeral will be held for Syd, who will leave behind a lasting legacy.