Guest Crizag Report post Posted August 8, 2002 I was watching TV late last nite and I caught a documentary on Syd Barrett, the original singer/song writer from Pink Floyd. Seems he did way too much drugs and went a little crazy. In fact, he showed up during one of Floyd's recording sessions with no hair, jumping up and down brushing his teeth in the studio. The band was recording "Shine on You Crazy Diamond", a tribute to Syd, when he showed up. Anyhoo, from what I could gather, Syd hasnt been seen in 20 years.Since I am not a fan of Floyd's music and, thus, know nothing of this story, I was wondering if anyone had anything on this. It really was a fascinating special, BTW. I dunno what it was called but it was on the Much More Music Bio so im sure it will be repeated Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rock Candy Report post Posted August 8, 2002 I haven't seen the documentary you're talking about, but yes, I've read enough about Floyd and Syd to help out here. Before Syd started playing music and experimenting with drugs, he was very close to his mother, and his father died while Syd was young. Some people say this is part of the reason why Syd deteriorated mentally. After joining Pink Floyd, Syd more or less took way too many LSD trips and never completely returned. The acid, some people have speculated, possibly accelerated some mental illnesses that might have been hereditary in the Barrett family. And pretty soon, Syd was acting more eccentric than before, like ruining Pink Floyd performances by striking the same note on his guitar over and over during a 45 minute show, feeding his pet cats LSD, locking his girlfriend in a room for a week, then releasing her and then locking himself in the same room, and spacing out during television interviews. IIRC, Pat Boone tried to interview Syd when Floyd made a TV appearance in 1967, and all Syd did in response was stare at the ceiling. When Syd's mental illness made it impossible for him to continue with Pink Floyd, they hired David Gilmour. Originally, they were going to keep Syd in the band, but decided one night to just leave Syd at home. Syd made a few brief recoveries, and recorded a couple of solo albums, but he's been living a hermit's existance ever since, in a small apartment where he lives off his royalties. I have heard reports of Syd being hospitalized since 1996 in a diabetic coma, unable or unwilling to take care of himself. -Ben Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mesepher Report post Posted August 9, 2002 very well put Rock Candy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
