SYD BARRETT
Like a supernova, Roger “Syd” Barrett burned briefly and brightly, leaving an indelible mark upon psychedelic and progressive rock as the founder and original singer, songwriter, and lead guitarist of Pink Floyd. -Richie Unterberger, All Music
With Pink Floyd he recorded four singles on their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967), and portions of their second album A Saucerful of Secrets (1968).
Syd Barrett debuted his solo career in 1969 with the single Octopus from his first solo album, The Madcap Laughs (1970). He recorded and released one more album, Barrett (1970), produced by David Gilmour and featuring contributions from Richard Wright.
Although they received little attention upon their release, his albums have attracted a cult audience. Barrett’s music and mystique achieved a lasting influence that continues to grow over two decades.
The Barrett cult became large enough to warrant the release of an entire album of previously unreleased outtakes, Opel, in the late Eighties, as well as his sessions for the BBC.
Barrett’s mixture of Edwardian influenced bohemian psychedelic fashion, eccentric humor, sly wordplay, and infectious melodies, innovative guitar work and use of such techniques as dissonance, distortion and feedback have influenced many musicians for decades after he withdrew from the industry in 1973. Syd Barrett passed away in 2006.
