An Ode To Syd
Yesterday the news of Roger Keith "Syd" Barrett's death struck the musical world. Many will forget about the importance Syd had in both Pink Floyd and in the whole music industry. Syd truly was a pioneer in the psychedelic genre from his work with Floyd to his solo albums. Unfortunately Syd will always be put on the backburner when regarding Pink Floyd but what the majority of people don't understand is that he was the driving force behind Floyd. Roger Waters will always receive credit for the creativity of Floyd but without Syd there just may have been no Pink Floyd. In the early years of Floyd Syd was the genius and although his time was short he did deliver a phenomenal album "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" which stands at the forefront of top psychedelic albums. Syd's obscure and grandiloquent ideas can be tied in with his heavy LSD use which would eventually lead to his demise. Following Floyd's debut album Syd's drug usage became excessive and after Floyd's second album "A Saucerful of Secrets" he was replaced by David Gilmour. Syd went on to record some solo work and fell deeper into a hole of demise, he started to suffer from mental illnesses which is normally believed to have derived from his intense use of LSD. He fell completely out of the public eye and fell into complete seclusion moving back to his hometown. Syd is said to have died of diabetes on Friday July 7th. I've always held a place for Syd Barrett in my heart for some unknown reason, "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" is not my favorite album by Floyd but I do hold it in high regard and many songs on that album are some of my favorites especially "Interstellar Overdrive." One idea I had within the past few years is that I wanted to create a movie about my search for Syd Barrett (A joke but would have been interesting if I actually followed through with it.) I'm not sure if I came up with that idea by myself or with a friend but regardless Syd has always fascinated me with his surreal and interesting music and I feel that I must pay proper homage to him. Syd, you will be missed by all who love music and even more by those who love Floyd and psychedelic music!
posted by Jeff at 6:35 PM
4 Comments:
Jeff - Isn't is ironic how the great bands form one day break up the next, then when one of them die, the focus turns back to the person who started it all?
Maybe the current lineup should get together to do a tribute show, but I don't think that'll happen.
There must be one hell of a community of musicians hanging out in the afterlife.
Peace,
- Neo
Jeff, that was a great tribute to Syd. I don't like to talk about my past drug use (I no longer use anything except an occasional drink here and there)...but after reading your post I have to admit that I used to love LSD. It's a weird drug of choice, but it was mine and apparently Syd's as well.
I saw The Animals Tour "frying on acid" (as we said back in the day) and it was - magical.
Neo- Very good point. More and more news is coming out pointing towards a complete Floyd lineup, hopefully my dreams will come true. And I think all those in the afterlife should come down to do a show, maybe call it the Back From the Dead Tour!
Layla - It seems like it would be a very unique drug of choice, I myself have never done LSD nor any other drugs for that matter but from the stories I hear it sounds like it is really a life changing drug. I hear stories that once you take it you never think the same again, I don't know if that is just a myth or the real deal but it sounds intense.
Jeff, It was intense and I don't recommend it to anyone. I would be scared to death to do it again today. You are no longer in control of your own mind, but at the time I was young and carefree and made sure I was with the right person in the right enviroment. Hallucinating was interesting, but it truly did open up your mind. I don't know if it changed me, but maybe that's what I can blame a few of my quirks on.
Good for you for staying away from drugs - you are very wise.
(I put a link to here today)
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