A Tribute to Syd Barrett (1946-2006)

When people ask me which member of Pink Floyd I prefer, be it David Gilmour or Roger Waters, I tell them Syd Barrett. Although the music he created does not hold a big place in my heart, his writings and ideas laid the groundwork for what music was to become in the 70's.
He experimented with new ideas, equipment and sound. He thought outside of the box. Syd was the kind of kid that had the look and sound of a true rock n' roll star.
After he joined up with Nick Mason, Rick Wright and Roger, they called themselves many different names, from the T-Sets to even the Megadeaths. But due to a band having the same name as them at a multi-group gig, he pulled the name Pink Floyd virtually out of thin air (from two blues groups, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council).
Due to his quick wit and endless ambition, Syd drove the band into the spotlight.
Well after his departure (which has been spoken about enough so I will not discuss it) he influenced the band. The "Wish You Were Here" album is one of my favorites and is probably one of the best albums ever written. And of course it is their dedication to Syd. The album sums up group feelings about their fallen brother. It's about a simple man. A man that well after his disappearance stills touches their hearts, and mine too.
Like I said, I am not the biggest fan of his work. But the great music that was written about him and all the other influences he has created would have never come to pass. And the thing is that he opened the eyes and ears of many musicians since, from Scott Wieland to Les Claypool. Bands today would not bother to experiment had it not been for his notion of making rock n' roll something more than just simple three chord ditties.
Roger "Syd" Barrett, we hardly knew you, but we truly do miss you,
Shine on you crazy diamond...

Pete Socha, Pink Floyd FAN-atic
People overlook the impact and influence that Syd Barrett had on both the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds era) and on the Beatles (Sgt. Peppers era). He was the pioneer of the so-called Psychedelic sound and laid out the blueprint on how you could make a "pop" song interesting. Just listen to albums such as "Opel" and "The Madcap Laughs". You'll see what I mean.
The music world has lost one of the greatest unsung musical heroes and influences of the past 100 years. Ponder this thought...Without Syd Barrett, how would John Lennon and Brian Wilson have evolved musically? Without John Lennon and Brian Wilson, where would contemporary music be today without their influence, courtesy of Syd Barrett?
                                                     --Eric Janetsky, Saginaw
Wish You Were Here, The Wall, Animals, Meddle.
These timeless albums didn't include anything involving the man who paved the path, except a tremendous THANKS to one Mr Syd Barrett.
Stories have been told over the years by band mates that the epic Pink Floyd era was based as songs and tributes to their fallen songwriter hero. Granted he did not perform on any of these masterpieces. Hell, he wasn't involved with Dark Side of The Moon and its record busting weeks atop the Billboard Charts. But without Barrett, what might have been?
Long before anything vicious, it is overdue that Syd's ideas & ideals formed the madcap genius behind early Pink Floyd's sonic indulgence of acid tripped-out music and landscape. Knowing this, creative rock music would have been delayed by a few years if not for him.
Coming out of the Beatles pop and circumstances, there was really no defiant curve in the music industry to try something new. Sun Ra and John Coltrane's jazz music had just turned toward the experimental, but alas without guitars and a vibrant British scene with fans that wanted to hear something new. And experience something different.
Thinking here in 2006, there isn't any space in the recording industry for a Syd Barrett anymore. There hasn't been room since the late '70s, if that. He would probably be just someone's Friend on MySpace now, trying out some home-brewed experiments with his buddies. Can anyone imagine what might come out of ideas from someone underground if they had the ability to take their art upside down, hand it off to their friends and see where they will be in 30 years? Not in this day and age. Because of Syd, we were blessed. You can forget the fact that he didn't give a crap about music after he 'lost his mind'.
Along with British guitar king Peter Green, the acid trip had run its course, in the press and otherwise over the music scene.
Green barely made it out. Barrett never did. But in the end, what happened doesn't matter. The art lives on. We will be one of the last generations to know and be able to pass along that there was something different that was this good and cared for.
Thanks for the ride Syd.

--Scott Baker