Syd Barrett

Description: (Singer-songwriter)

Roger Keith Barrett, popularly known as Syd Barrett, was an English singer, musician, and painter. Best known as a founding member of the famous band Pink Floyd, he served as its lead singer, guitarist and songwriter. He is also credited for naming the band. He wrote most of the songs in the band’s debut album ‘Piper at the Gates of Dawn’. In fact, his LSD-inspired lyrics became a craze in London during the late 1960s. He was dismissed from Pink Floyd in 1968 due to his drug-induced erratic behavior. During his short-lived solo career, Barrett released two intriguing and influential albums, ‘The Madcap Laughs’ and ‘Barrett’. However, they were not commercially successful. He then formed the band Stars, which was a short-lived one. Despite possessing a lot of potential, he was active in the music industry for less than ten years. He eventually became a recluse, living in Cambridge with diabetes and mental illness. After he left Pink Floyd, the band featured his mental illness as a theme on its later albums and songs like ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ and ‘Shine On, You Crazy Diamond’. Barrett died on July 7, 2006 from pancreatic cancer at the age of 60.

Overview

Birthday January 6, 1946 (Capricorn)
Alternative names Roger Keith Barrett, Roger Keith Syd Barrett
City Cambridge, England
Died on July 7, 2006
Parents Max Barrett
Winifred Barrett
Relatives Alan, Donald, Rosemary Breen, Ruth

Did you know

What was Syd Barrett's role in the band Pink Floyd? Syd Barrett was a founding member and the original lead vocalist and guitarist of Pink Floyd.
Why did Syd Barrett leave Pink Floyd? Syd Barrett left Pink Floyd due to his deteriorating mental health, possibly exacerbated by heavy drug use.
What are some of Syd Barrett's most well-known songs with Pink Floyd? Some of Syd Barrett's most well-known songs with Pink Floyd include "Arnold Layne," "See Emily Play," and "Lucifer Sam."
How did Syd Barrett influence the psychedelic rock genre? Syd Barrett's experimental songwriting and use of innovative guitar techniques helped shape the psychedelic rock genre in the 1960s.
What was Syd Barrett's impact on the music industry after leaving Pink Floyd? After leaving Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett's influence continued to resonate in the music industry, inspiring countless artists across various genres.
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