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July 11, 2006

Shine On You Crazy Diamond

Associated Press reports:

LONDON - Syd Barrett, the troubled genius who co-founded Pink Floyd but spent his last years in reclusive anonymity, has died, a spokeswoman for the band said Tuesday. He was 60.

The spokeswoman — who declined to give her name until the band made an official announcement — confirmed media reports that he had died. She said Barrett died several days ago, but she did not disclose the cause of death. Barrett had suffered from diabetes for many years.

The Observer looked at Syd's long, strange trip in 2002:
The received wisdom is that you don't disturb him. The last interview he gave was in 1971, and from then until now, there are only about 20 recorded encounters of any kind. His family says it upsets him to discuss the days when he was the spirit of psychedelia, beautiful Syd Barrett, the leader of Pink Floyd. He doesn't recognise himself as the shambling visionary who, during an extended nervous breakdown exacerbated by his drug intake, made two solos LPs, Madcap and Barrett, which are as eternally eloquent as Van Gogh's cornfields.
Uploading some audio for you. Any requests?

UPDATE: Syd Barrett - Terrapin (Peel Session, 3/14/70) (MP3)

(Featuring David Gilmour, Rick Wright, & Jerry Shirley.)

Posted at 11:07 AM in
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18 Comments

Wined and Dined. Or Opel. Or Dark Globe.
Poor Syd.

Posted by: Patrick at 07/11/06 11:36 AM | Reply
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he was an amazing songwriter...
too bad he was just so fucking crazy

gigalo aunt
octopus

Posted by: akap at 07/11/06 11:37 AM | Reply
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"golden hair"

Posted by: brad at 07/11/06 11:39 AM | Reply
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effervescing elephant!
r.i.p. syd

Posted by: tk. at 07/11/06 11:45 AM | Reply
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Bike would be fitting

Posted by: Lowden at 07/11/06 11:45 AM | Reply
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Arnold Layne

Posted by: Yoc at 07/11/06 11:52 AM | Reply
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RIP Syd, You had so many fans who loved and missed you throughout the years. May you be at peace now. ~tears flow.

Posted by: Lynn J. at 07/11/06 12:03 PM | Reply
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octopus, please!

Posted by: vic at 07/11/06 12:22 PM | Reply
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Fluxblog has Octopus in today's post

http://www.fluxblog.org/

Posted by: leoni at 07/11/06 12:33 PM | Reply
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Dang- I just got done posting both Thom Yorke and Syd on my own blog and see you're one step ahead of me. Nicely done.

Posted by: Sean at 07/11/06 1:39 PM | Reply
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RIP

Posted by: Erik at 07/11/06 1:47 PM | Reply
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request: "i know where syd barrett lives," by the television personalities.

Posted by: dean at 07/11/06 2:41 PM | Reply
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an italian bloggerine, ele, has posted the link to that television personalities song in today's post. here:

http://avisiblesignofmyown.blogspot.com/

Posted by: matteo at 07/11/06 3:08 PM | Reply
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terrapin in mp3 form is here, fyi:
http://badmintonstamps.com/zarchive0607.html#606

Posted by: skinnyslim at 07/11/06 3:15 PM | Reply
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I love "See Emily Play."

Posted by: Emily at 07/11/06 3:52 PM | Reply
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RIP We heard in time to learn a little bit of Shine on You crazy Diamond last night when we opened for the Lilys. Black cat something I can't explain...

Posted by: adam at 07/12/06 4:06 PM | Reply
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The death of Syd struck a chord with me and my mid-month podcast at The Best Radio You Have Never Heard (http://www.bestradiopodcast.com) is a tribute to the great rock visionary.
"Here To Do My Parts" is a tribute to Syd Barrett. Even though of course there is some Pink Floyd music in the show, it is more of a tribute to Syd’s vision. I like to think of it as traveling music for Syd’s iPod as he makes the trek to the Gates of Dawn, or perhaps some gardening music for the great beyond as, in his recent past, gardening was one of Syd’s few hobbies.

Have a listen and let me know what you think.

Perry/Chicago
http://www.bestradiopodcast.com

Posted by: Perry/Chicago at 07/17/06 7:22 PM | Reply
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