Happy Birthday Syd Barrett (b.1/6/1946)

[TimmyB]

Happy 60th Birthday Syd,

May you have many, many more in health (physical at least) and happiness.

Tim

from www.davidgilmour.com

January 06, 2006

Happy 60th Birthday, Syd

The fallen genius who turned Pink Floyd into the leading psychedelic band of the day, and amazed everyone (even The Beatles!) with ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn‘, is 60 today.

David would like to take this opportunity to send his warmest wishes to his friend, Roger Keith Barrett, who will always be affectionately known to those who knew and loved him - not to mention the many who have been touched and inspired by his music - simply as 'Syd'.

As well as his vital contribution to Pink Floyd’s second album ’A Saucerful of Secrets’, Syd has made two solo albums, 'The Madcap Laughs' and 'Barrett'. There is also the 'Opel' compilation of studio outtakes. If you haven’t heard them, then do give them a try.

David has always championed Syd’s music and produced almost all of Syd's studio sessions from July 1969. He fought to include as many of Syd’s songs on Pink Floyd’s ‘Echoes’ compilation, as well as performing several of Syd’s songs live - most notably 'Terrapin' and 'Dominoes' in 2001 and 2002.

We hope you can find time today to play some of Syd’s songs and to remember him as the creative genius who wrote such enchanting and thought-provoking lyrics, dared to be different and inspired myriad artists to follow him into the music business.

Feel free to let us know what Syd's music means to you and, of course, to send him your birthday greetings. Even though it's now been some 35 years since Syd retired from public life, his music will always live on and continue to move people. Let it move you today.

We leave you with a recent excerpt from Guitar & Bass magazine, which pertains to Syd's legacy in Pink Floyd:

He recognised Syd Barrett as a genius, even though he had to watch his friend’s stability crumble. Gilmour was invited to the recording session for the band’s second single ‘See Emily Play', and recalls even then that Syd didn’t recognise him. ‘He looked through you. He wasn’t quite there.’ Since then, he has ensured Syd has benefited from royalties generated by five songs included on the ‘Echoes’ compilation and ‘Astronomy Domine’, performed on the 1994 tour and later released as part of the album ‘Pulse’. (Diamond David, Guitar & Bass magazine, December 2005)

[backbacon]

I shall listen to 'The Madcap Laughs' when I get home from work today.

------------------------------------------------

Shine On You Crazy Diamond

[dave-O]

Shine on you crazy diamond.