|
Founding member of Pink Floyd and one of the architects of
psychedelic music Roger Keith 'Syd' Barrett reportedly
died from complications related to diabetes on Friday July
7, 2006. Some are saying it may have been cancer. His brother
Alan only said that he died peacefully at home in Cambridge,
England. He was 60.
 Syd
Barrett was more to me than just some tragic drug casualty
of the 1960s culture. His LSD use was notorious and it did
indeed lead to his final mental breakdown in 1969. Even so,
he was one of the most influential forces in my musical life.
It was thru listening to songs like 'See Emily Play', 'Bike',
'Apples & Oranges'
and many others that I discovered ways to blur the fine barrier
between what should be done and what can be done.
Thankfully I was able to get there without the burden of hallucinogens.
In a weird way I can credit Syd for that as well. Knowing his
story kept me away from mind-altering, synthetic drugs. I chose
instead to explore the mire of the mind free from the unpredictable
effects of some urban chemical kitchen product.
Yes it is true that many, including his friends and family,
have said that even without the LSD his breakdown was inevitable.
Syd's was a fragile self simply not equipped to handle
life, let alone the searing heat of the limelight. Still the
seemingly debilitating effects this all had on him did not
squash his creative genius. Bending and blending
avant-gard, pop and clever lyrics into a purely original and
influential musical stew.
One of the most chillingly sad songs from Syd is 'Jug
Band Blues', his only contribution to the 1968 Pink Floyd
album 'A Saucerful of Secrets'. It was basically
his farewell to the band in which he sarcastically thanks them
for letting him feel unwelcome.
It's awfully considerate of you to think of me
here
And I'm most obliged to you four men making it clear
That I'm not here
The tragic themes of insanity, fame, depression and such inspired
by Syd Barrett's downfall would resurface often in the
latter-day Pink Floyd. None however were more obvious than
on the 1975 album 'Wish You Were Here'.
Barrett actually showed up unannounced on the day the tribute
song 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' was being recorded. He had
gained weight and shaved off all of his hair, including his
eyebrows. He did things like attempting to brush his teeth
by holding a toothbrush still and jumping up and down.
 Page
[1] [2]
|
