New Syd Barrett Photos released in celebration of the late Rocker's 70th birthday
buzzz worthy. . .
The late Syd Barrett, Founder of British Rock band Pink Floyd would have been 70 today.
The late Syd Barrett, Founder of British Rock band Pink Floyd would have been 70 today.
To mark the occasion, Syd Barrett’s new official website will be
launched at 12 noon on Wednesday (GMT). Celebrating his unique life and
career, both of which continue to inspire and enthrall, sydbarrett.com is a unique
resource that offers an unrivaled insight into this enigmatic musician.
The website has been created by those who knew him best - his family
and friends. The clean, modern design offers an intimate experience for
Syd’s fans, incorporating his favourite colour indigo and offering
previously unseen, restored family photographs.
Going forward, regular updates will reveal even more exclusive
material, photographs and information. Featured songs will receive
detailed analysis alongside reviews, essays and images from a range of
celebrity guest writers.
Syd’s nephew Ian Barrett says “2016 promises to be an exciting year for
Syd Barrett’s fans and we hope that in keeping with my uncle’s talents,
this online resource will act as a springboard, inspiring a new
generation of artists - both musical and visual.”
About Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett was with the Pink Floyd for just three years (1965 to1968),
yet when the band released their greatest hits album in 2001 he had
written over a fifth of the tracks.
Born Roger Keith Barrett in 1946 in Cambridge, Syd obtained his
nickname from regulars at a local jazz club who christened him after an
old drummer from the area.
At the age of seventeen Barrett left Cambridge to study at London’s
Camberwell Art School where he was reunited with his old friend Roger
Waters. He joined Roger’s band the Pink Floyd and quickly became their
main songwriter. The band was named after two Georgia blues men Pink
Anderson and Floyd Council. Their experiments with feedback and
electronic sound quickly made them the hippest band among London’s early
psychedelic set.
Although still a prolific songwriter, Syd’s experimentation with drugs
meant his grasp on reality was slipping away. He didn’t turn up for
interviews and started to behave erratically, to the extent that an
American tour had to be cut short.
In January 1968 the band excused Syd from performing live to enable him
to concentrate on songwriting and David Gilmour was asked to take his
place. By 1968 the band had parted ways with Syd, leaving him to record
and release two solo albums ‘The Madcap Laughs’ and ‘Barrett’ and a
single ‘Octopus’.
1970 saw Syd retreat to his mothers house in Cambridge where he formed
The Stars with some local musicians though his involvement was
shortlived. The following years saw him moving between Cambridge and
London, where he stayed on friends’ floors. In 1978, having tired of
London, he walked back to Cambridge, where he lived reclusively until
his death on 7th July 2006, aged sixty.