Syd Barrett - Up Close & Personal

An in depth look at the man and his music

[@dorianedwards8522]

This was David Gilmour's way of trying to ensure that Syd had an income after the Floyd. He understood that this would be of some historically important. How he knew this, I don't know, Gilmour is a very smart guy. I think he understood that Syd's story would become myth and than legend. This would guarantee that Syd would get some money, on a regular basis, for quite some time. Later, when even that money disappeared, David used the fame of the band to ensure that some of Syd's songs always ended up on a Floyd compilation. There were many of those, over the years. Syd never went broke, he had enough to help his family look out for him for decades. In fact, I have read that Syd had over a million pounds in the bank when he died. So, I have always admired David Gilmour for that alone he is a star.

[@shayneoneill1506]

Oh yeah. Syd was always gonna be financially stable. The short term of making money in music is touring. But enduring wealth is in having an album thats still generating publishing royalties decades later, and the continued succcess of floyd (You *still* see teenagers in town in pink floyd shirts, I think the millenials and zoomers somewhat enjoy the whimsy and youthfulness of syds era) meant that as long as those first to albums continued to sell , Syds writers credits guaranteed him a slice of the big fat pie that is pink floyd. Gilmore including Syds song in the continuing touring (Yes, he got royalties for those too, thats why publishing rights are so important. Technically even if a local bar band plays your song, your owed royalties, though I doubt those are policed that strictly. Most places have a thing where the bar is supposed to keep a log of songs and hand a fee to the local music rights agency, but I doubt many keep that vigilent a log of songs. After all hows a bar supposed to tell whats original and whats a cover, it'd be hard to argue in court that the bar was negligent and such a lawsuit would be more expensive than any fees recovered.) and compilations, certainly helped

[@gregorytimmons4777]

Absolutely right you are. David is a saint for what he has done and i think in his heart he knows his life may have turned out a lot more ordinary if not for what Syd helped create. So i think some of it is caring for an old friend and part his paying homage and reverence to a guy who likely is largely responsible with launching a band that he was a bit of a johnny come lately to join. He recognises Syd as genius as Syd really seems to be the one in command when they first gained traction.

[@dalekanium9531]

@@shayneoneill1506 I'm sixteen, and I absolutely love Pink Floyd. I've listened to every bit of music they've put out. The Floyd are still alive and well!

[@Gunn27]

I'm only seventeen and I listen to Led Zeppelin. All people at school listen to Drake and Nikki Minaj but I listen to Led Zeppelin and i'm only seventeen.

[@danperry6217]

@@Gunn27 same thing! but I'm 55 now😊wish you a great life

[@AnimatedSquirrel]

Syd Barrett passed away today, July 7th, 14 years ago. I am watching this in his memory. RIP, You Crazy Diamond. Shine On.

[@USER-G291]

Wish you were here

[@Gravy_Master]

Cringe

[@zeukri-5464]

@@Gravy_Master It isn't?

[@Gravy_Master]

@@zeukri-5464 It is.

[@thinginground5179]

@@Gravy_Master Leave then

[@alliew5498]

I was a preschool teacher for 4 years. I had 3 year olds. I would bring Syd's solo albums in and play the music for the kids and they LOVED it!!

[@Tabish29]

It does have that child's sensibility to it. Kinda happy psychedelic sesame street tunes.

[@neilpeartspurplenose8739]

I'm sure that they loved Effervessing Elephant, since it pretty much is a kid's song.

[@thornil2231]

Bike?

[@Treaxvour]

​@@thornil2231solo albums

[@johnkuthe1]

Syd had a cildlike way about music. :-)

[@carloia1]

I hate how people say nothing is going on in his head. When infact someone like that it's too much going on

[@veronicacorbett7088]

So true!

[@duanemcclure8324]

I didn't even realize people said such things. Obviously, those people know nothing about him. You are absolutely right - there WAS way too much going on, and at breakneck speed! These people also have not tried acid before. As I just mentioned to someone else, Jim Morrison was the exact same way and both were the creative driving forces behind their bands. Unfortunately, acid is toll taking substance and not a short cut to creativity. Many will challenge this when they see it because of the "new" treatment called 'microdosing'. I suppose anything is ok in small doses.. but, that's "rationalization", not a license to "do what thou wilt" as Crowley would say. Of course, these are just my own personal views but (not that I'm proud of it) I'm speaking from my own experiences with the drug, along with biographies from people that had firsthand accounts of each of these unusual characters. Both were larger than life - but, look at the cost.

[@johncaccioppo1142]

Many successful people do psychedelics, the problem is less with the long-term affect of the drug than it is the phenomena of social isolation. People get outcast because of their drug use and collapse psychologically almost immediately. Those who are loners prior to using drugs have even more trouble as they give up trying to relate to others more readily.

[@Microtherion]

@@johncaccioppo1142 Maybe so, although I can't help thinking it also has to do with the basic personality structure of the individual (plus the extent to which whatever is going on in the world gets under their skin). For example, although I used to find Terence McKenna quite annoying, I listened to several of his talks a few years ago and realised he just had a somewhat off -putting manner, whilst he had some very interesting things to say. He often spoke about which chemical compounds (natural versus synthetic) were largely beneficial, and which should be approached with caution, etc. He also often emphasised that he used hallucinogens mainly to 'get in touch with' aspects of his own psyche, and observe them like some hybrid poet/scientist. (To be a 'psychonaut', as some people put this in the 60s/70s). And he kept saying that people should be wary of hallucinogens if they were very emotionally troubled, and people more generally (not too 'troubled') should steer clear of synthetic compounds - because 'that's a drug, and drugs are for sick people'... I.e. if you're slightly 'out of your head' to begin with, then a natural mind-altering substance might make you worse, and if you're fairly well-balanced to begin with, then an unnatural compound might upset that balance. In Syd's case, there's a suggestion of something a little bit 'off' in the anecdotes about him telling his own mother to 'f- off' when she was just trying to make him and his friends comfortable. Of course, I can accept that he was mostly joking around, and I have no idea whether his mum could be a little 'benignly over-bearing' - which might well cause that kind of running-joke to develop, but it suggests a certain self-absorption (introversion?) along with the turbo-charged creativity. The LSD seems to have made him 'spiral inwards', which suggests the same. It seems pretty clear that, whilst it might well have done him little harm if taken in smaller doses and balanced out with things that 'ground' you again - even the dreaded ciggies and string liquor - it pushed him over an edge he might not have seen till he was almost over it (?)

[@johncaccioppo1142]

@@Microtherion You should do a dive into the work of John Caccioppo, who researched the phenomena surrounding perceived social isolation. This is how I came to realize that even just the fear of loneliness has a far more profound affect on a person than any singular chemical interaction can. When we get to the fringes and begin to use drugs or other neurotic behaviors it can have bridge-burning consequences. Once a person fixes and stratifies their beliefs around being different or unwanted, they are going to have a nearly impossible trip back to sanity. It happens in the blink of an eye. I cant say "normalcy" because it's clear to me that the epidemic of loneliness is ubiquitous in the modern world, no class, race or society is immune or untouched. Only in cults do most people find any sense of social purpose amounting to collective intimacy/trust, it seems to me, and often the threat of losing that promise is more substantial than the experience itself. I believe that this is by design, as is the absence of this research and its discussion in popular culture.

[@vovindequasahi]

Syd Barrett was the ghost in the machine of Pink Floyd as long as they were great. His inspiration is all over the place, from "Wish You Were Here" to "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" to the entire "The Wall" album. Syd Barrett was the unwitting author of almost all of the great Pink Floyd albums. I think the members of Pink Floyd always had him in the back of their minds when writing their songs. I think they still do. SO I would say Syd Barrett is STILL the leader of that band.

[@jwhardin740]

I think Roger Waters was more integral to the band. Not downplaying Sid's role by any means, but Roger is definitely Pink.

[@crabbtrixexp]

i get what you're saying, but personally i think if syd had written more songs for pink floyd, they'd have been better, than what we know as pink floyd today, but yes he was certainly a huge inspiration his bandmates after hid departure. But i think syd was leader of their early incarnation, because the others knew just how good he was. I know a lot of people prefer the later stuff, but to me syd's genius eclipsed the rest of the members output..

[@vovindequasahi]

@@crabbtrixexp : Well Syd was like Brian Wilson in that he was a Genius madman.

[@vovindequasahi]

@@crabbtrixexp Absolutely. Syd was a mad genius, and tapped into spiritual realms the others in the band have no clue about. Like Jim Morrison he collided worlds and his very presence inspired Divine Creativity. I think Pink Floyd lived off that inspiration for many years. Certainly most of their best work is inspired by Syd even after he - well - left earth altogether, leaving only the shell of the physical body intelligence behind.

[@CoreyW6292]

Amen!

[@rahafhamed57]

I always find my self thinking of Syd, and just searching for more info about him. Can’t find any so I read comments. The fact that it’s Aug,2020 and there are comments from two -3 weeks ago makes me feel so happy.

[@oscarman10001]

My info of the day went from looking up space documentaries to a video on Pink Floyd playing for BBC the day of the walk on the moon (didn't know that till now wish it was in the textbook seeing that as a teen would have blown my mind. Anyhow got to reunion they did and then a documentary on Syd then more Syd videos and yeah nothing new I've learned of Syd unfortunately, maybe some day his friends will get together and put out a book or video on his life and how he was. Don't know why I've always felt so drawn to him, even had him as my phone lock screen at some point, but yeah he was an enigma

[@scotshuthats5268]

Moi aussci ...

[@johnhouse9983]

I can't stand it when folk slate Syd for going off the rails and commenting on his mental health, Syd managed to write and produce two top selling albums that still sell today all whilst tripping his nuts off, jeeze, ! i can't even stand up and make a cuppa tea when i trip. Syd did exactly what he wanted to do , bravo for him.

[@rahafhamed57]

@@fightermma yes.

[@Longtack55]

His sister spoke about him. He was a beautiful man and he died 7th July 2006.

[@roxanne4820]

2:31 nailed it. I haven't even listened to a Pink Floyd album in full yet, and here I am watching a documentary about Syd. I remember seeing a picture of him by accident on a classic rock page, and immediately thinking "woah, who's he?". The guy just naturally radiated a magnetic charm.

[@user-hy5jy7sf9j]

It's called being good looking lol

[@misterghee1]

Got the album spun already🎶👍?

[@m.a.4949]

why wouldn't u listen to a while album. wtf

[@papalaz4444244]

utter shite

[@tomquinn607]

Syd Barrett formed the chrysalis of Pink Floyd. But its metamorphosis blossomed with Gilmore and Waters. They took Pink Floyd outside Barrett's inner vision. Yet honored him in doing so.

[@TadRaunch]

Folk often wonder would Pink Floyd be worse or better had Syd stayed in the band. I believe, by some miracle, had Syd stayed in the band, we would not have the legendary records that Pink Floyd went on to release. Animals, Dark Side of the Moon, and The Wall-drenched in cynicism and critiques of society-in many ways are the antithesis of Syd's sort of... jovial and innocent nature. But in some ways Syd's spirit continued to contribute to the band long after his descent into madness. Fragments of him lived on in songs and albums. Physically and mentally he was gone, but Syd Barrett remained a vital part of Pink Floyd for years after.

[@kevinharrison5009]

Tom Quinn That was a great thing for them to do.

[@LenQuerido]

@@TadRaunch I agree, but in my opinion on one hand Dark side of the Moon was the best album of Pink Floyd, but on the other hand for me it was the end of the original Pink Floyd. The Wall was a solo project of Waters and the end of Pink Floyd. Since then we've a schisma between the Waters fans and the Gilmour fans. I don't like to chose. I would like the Waters less aggressive and I would like Roger to take attention of the external world. He is egocentric. He thinks, really, his good intentions were understood by everybody else. In fact this is not the case. The fanbase in on the hand of Roger and they of course understand the intentions of Roger. They don't understand that for the rest of the world that's totally unclear and those aggressive fans are probably far left dangerous untrustworthy people. I just can't understand them. It's so unnecessary.

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

So well spoken Syd was at the beginning.

[@ricksturgis6403]

Master Yoda?

[@Gravy_Master]

“Me winning isn’t important, you do.”

[@zeukri-5464]

@@ricksturgis6403 Mmmh,Master Yoda,he is.

[@1968spikey]

they were all rich kids, what did you expect?

[@anotherOneMore7]

@@1968spikey Exactly. I expected him to take his 'rich kid' advantage to be a bank manager, sell real estate, and a politician. How ungrateful he was doing what he did instead.

[@RealinDealer]

I agree with Syd's old friend about how beautiful and haunting 'Dominoes' is. I've only recently taken notice of his work now at age 51. Been haunted ever since. He recorded 'Barrett' while I was an oblivious 1 year old, living about 7 miles away. Gosh!

[@RealinDealer]

@David Erlstoke Funnily enough, 'Pizza@Home' on the Brompton road( a stone's throw from Syd"s old flat) serves an excellent pizza. Best in London.

[@riverjao]

@@RealinDealer makes sense 🍕

[@bobnyswonger2978]

I've always loved his voice. He was a fragile person, not really cut out for dealing with rigors of show biz. He had more a jazz attitude - he didn't want to do to ANYTHING the same way twice. He wanted each performance to be unique. The acid didn't help. but I think the prospect of doing what the Floyd wound up doing (totally blocked out huge productions) was antithetic to his preferred approach.

[@phil-zz5hk]

i have always said , if it wasnt for acid and drugs , what would music be like today . when you think about it so many great artists where on some sort of gear lol later beatles floyd the doors hawkwind sabbath led zepplin probably still dancing round the maypole

[@travis5125]

I was the same way when I played. It was just so boring for me to play the same thing more than a few times without improvisation or change in tempo.

[@EclecticSceptic]

@@phil-zz5hk There's a difference between taking acid and taking it so much and in such a way that it hurts you. Psychedelics must be treated with respect. Then they can open vast new vistas.

[@MissJensk1]

@Bob Nyswonger You are spot on.

[@jonathanfrieze8497]

@@EclecticSceptic yes sir youve got to respect pyschedelics i personally love them but dont ever feel the need to abuse it they dont like to admit that if it were not for lsd the founder of AA NA would have neveir got sober they really dont like telling anyone that when your in rehab i felt i had to live the way my heros did and its destroyed me and took everything i loved in life but thank god for the healing powers of psychedelics

[@TJBEATS97]

Syd for sure tripped so much and figured out that nothing matters unless you want it to

[@jetboy_]

lmfaooooo that thought is a slippery slippery slope.

[@jetboy_]

i often ponder that thought when I get into that state of mind, it's equal part unnerving and liberating.

[@raz0rcarich99]

Meaning is derived from attachment to the survival process. It's possible to break out of it, and not many will be able handle it.

[@InfamousMedia]

TJBEATS97 nobody gets out alive anyway

[@gottisteinpopstar4032]

jet boy mix it with possible schizophrenia and it’s a bad recipe.

[@willmac5642]

I suppose Syd was lucky to find a band to release his genius. Its unfortunate it ended all too soon

[@HeyYouSA]

Out of all the tragedies in music, why is Syd's story so haunting?

[@thedeucemonkey2331]

Have we heard this story before??? No???? Thats why....

[@HeyYouSA]

@@thedeucemonkey2331 No, that's not it.

[@romeoslover817]

Sid was one good looking guy

[@romeoslover817]

David Erlstoke yeah I know. I am a shitting typist and my fingers have a mind separate from my brain. I realized the mistake after I sent the comment. my apologies

[@neverever3922]

agreed.

[@marlonmara-lenoble639]

Especially with that shaved head and shaved eye brows!!!

[@sluggysworld469]

was!?

[@bigtwit799]

gay

[@Danimal77]

The last time Syd was Syd (laughing, smiling, witty, charming and bright eyed) was the interview him and Roger did with that German interviewer in May of 1967. A week later it's been said that Sid did acid for an entire week and was never the same. His eyes looked like he had a lobotomy and his tone when singing and speaking became flat and emotionless.

[@sabinewei3041]

🥺💔

[@dsanders755]

thank you, thank you, thank you...cheers blessings

[@dEAthlikEstAtic]

Sometimes life is all about giving credit where credit is due. Syd Barrett seemed like a very special human being.

[@dEAthlikEstAtic]

When the man was talking about Syd taking acid for 7 days straight he mentioned how he looked like "no one was home". with drugs like that, psychedelic type drugs, they open pieces of yer mind & certain parts of you die. Mentally/spiritually/physically/emotionally etc. When pieces of people die, unless the whole being dies a physical death, those pieces have to be replaced by something. No one knows what those pieces consist of, usually not even the person experiencing it. The body doesn't know how to handle certain things & people love to take things to extremes &push limits. Artists fall into those patterns what seems the most. It's sad because we lose a lot of them because of it, not just the drugs but the mental instabilities that those drugs can bring out& people who may be around also bringing out those instabilities, knowingly & unknowingly, people have a big part of why others fall into the patterns they do. Dealing with the world as it is & how it "evolves" doesn't always make a good combination. As we see by losses like these.

[@dEAthlikEstAtic]

"'ok mom fuck off..' no disrespect" that's how me & my kids are/were, when they were with me. Their lying father doesn't understand that about us because he's neglectful & doesn't/didn't really know us. Or at least the us that used to be, idk how my boys are now.

[@dEAthlikEstAtic]

Syd didn't have to put his mind to something else to be a guru, he still very much was one. Thank you for sharing this video, it was very good & nice hearing about him. Painful hearing how some people saw him but that's how people are.

[@lisabayliss3394]

" you are the most extraordinary person .. I've ever seen" kevin ayers

[@TomTremayne]

The Pete D'Arby guy is fascinating......rarely do you get such candid, insightful info' & descriptions in these rockumentaries, he tells it so you can almost see it.....hats off as well to the editorial team for leaving so much of it in.

[@mancebo7]

Totally agree with you. The guy's soft spoken but precise, unassuming, sober, down to the point.

[@gedet]

agreed, absolutely great guy on this. very painterly

[@eddybabe7963]

Such great memories. Superb band. God bless Syd.

[@fongy200]

''Now there's a look in your Eyes like blackholes in the sky'

[@thinginground5179]

dont think blackholes can be in the sky... the atmosphere would be sucked thus there'd be no sky left. The 'big band' got those lyrics wrong.

[@breezeyx664]

@@thinginground5179 ok virgin

[@JET7C0]

@@thinginground5179 "The sky" has often been used as a euphemism for space and clearly fits much better in the rhyming scheme they're going for than "you eyes look like blackholes in space" - either way, it's ridiculous to take the lyric so literally, as if PF thought black holes existed in our atmosphere. Also, if you're going to get so pedantic: far more than the atmosphere would "be sucked" into a blackhole - the entire Earth and entire solar system would be too, unless it was a _very_ small one.

[@thinginground5179]

@@JET7C0 calm down

[@JET7C0]

​@@thinginground5179 I'm not uncalm or upset - I'm just saying to suggest they got the lyrics "wrong" is ridiculous because it's artistic expression, and it was funny to me you were wrong on the science you were attempting to correct in the first place. Also, come to think of it: the definition of the sky isn't exclusive to Earth's atmosphere, but what you see above its surface, which at night clearly includes outer space.

[@CHlEFFIN]

Syd Barrett... a TRUE artist. May God bless and keep you always.

[@booklover3959]

Really enjoyed listening to the people that were there talk about what happened....loved this.

[@bleikrsound6127]

Rest well Syd, you have inspired countless acolytes, myself humbly among them.

[@planes124]

RIP Syd Barrett Gone but not forgotten. So many people have lived a life of mental torment and mental illness and his wonderful mind will cease to stop as his music and lyrics are still listened and sung everyday and he will never be forgotten. ❤️. Xxxx

[@ms381]

I Saw syd in Cambridge once, he lived a couple of minutes Down the Road from where i lived. Someone Said look theres syd barrett, couldnt believe it was him. He was probably then in the last Year of his life. A true artisan of his Trade, its a shame he ended up the Way he did, a reclouse who many people would not even recognise who he was but thats the Way he wanted it. God bless

[@qazzell]

Enjoyed that, thanks for posting👌

[@bongofury3176]

I've got a bike - you can ride it if you like. I love Syd. Definitely a genius.

[@itbagyouforfun]

that ending… Syd will forever live on through his music and all of us who choose to keep his name alive. forever grateful for all the amazing melodies and songs he’s given us, here’s to you Syd!! 🙏

[@Canyon2023]

Really wonderful detailed storytelling from these men who knew him. They paint a wonderful picture of who Syd was and what happened, in a very kind hearted and loving way. Really great interviews, and documentary. I watched it twice through.

[@peacefrog5449]

Shine on you Crazy Diamond 💜

[@jeanettedominguez4146]

I only had my father for a short time, but I don't think I have any memories of that time without music. Frank Zappa, Floyd, Zeppelin, Depeche mode, Grand Funk, ... I mean the list is super long. Even early Prince. I was in dance, all types, and even at 4,5,6... I remember dancing to Pink Floyd, moving and keeping the beat. It flows through you like Life. I'm 50 now,bum leg, but I can't not move to Pink Floyd . You must move. The lyrics are always relevant to my emotional moods and feelings throughout my years. 💕 Love Love Love them

[@234cheech]

shine on syd

[@philnoble2218]

Piper is THE PERFECT RECORD!!! Found Syd at 14 via Piper in the early 90s.... can still get excited when I pull it outta the sleeve now!

[@Tom-S1981]

Same. Happy days, great memories

[@mattemilo]

Wonderful! Thanks for uploading :)

[@roeizilber]

great stuff, thanks.

[@azulo6]

Syd is a timeless phenomenon/energy. The energy that goes against the grain.

[@TheChinovnik]

This is not the first documentary I saw about Syd. But not one I have seen where anybody mentions medical help for Syd. I don't know what the British health service could have done at the time, and I haven't heard an actual diagnosis either, but to me this is awkward to hear everybody say "Hey, Syd's gone mad, how sad, let's just carry on." I don't want to be judgemental, and I am sure that I don't kow the whole story, but really nobody mentioning mental health care, is astonishing.

[@robphilpott43]

There is a well documented account that Roger, David, Nick and Rick all verified of Syd being supported by them to visit a psychiatrist well known at the time (RD Laing, I think the name was) but upon arrival refusing to keep the appointment. Remember, too, that the other band members were only in their early 20’s at the time and not sure what to do.

[@nathanadnitt]

Mental health wasn't talked about them mate, were talking about a really different time, they've gone mad, lock them up or leave them. they're a looney, that was the attitude sadly

[@filmjazz]

@@robphilpott43 Thanks for that detail I had never heard. The first time I read about RD Laing more than 25 years ago it was a quote of his: “madness is a sane strategy for dealing with an insane social environment.” Laing had some great ideas but somehow I don’t think he was the right doctor to treat Barrett.

[@TacereM]

From what I've read, he most certainly developed schizophrenia (not helped by the drugs, and the time when he sat in his apartment with the TV and stereo at "full blast" is indicative from someone having auditory hallucinations).

[@55tranquility]

I was thinking the same - however the times were very different back then, mental illness was poorly understood and even more of a stigma than today. In a way it is quite lucky that he did not get put in an asylum and left for years and years as was so often the case - he lived an independent life. I have heard he spent time at Greenwoods in Essex a very forward thinking therapeutic community - which is great to hear.

[@macbitz]

Syd Barrett and Kevin Ayers are two artists I still listen to since my school days.

[@chriscatton705]

Syd is mind-candy that will never grow old. I love that he hated commercialism. His art was meant to be truly original and never repeated the same any other time.

[@gedet]

great comment!!!

[@hermanmunster3358]

Mind candy? If your under the influence perhaps. And as for art, we'll I guess he could be best described as the Picasso of the music industry, because his music was a shambles of randomness. No wonder he didn't like commercialism, as that would suggest that he would have to conform to some sort of formula. But a formula is what sells records. (People who drink Coca Cola probably wouldn't, if the recipe kept changing on a weekly or monthly basis). When you find a groove that you like, you expect the band to stick to a similar recognisable formula, otherwise you quickly lose interest I think. And in Syd's case, it was only his band mates that kept his memory alive, and maybe their hard core fans from the earliest days of the band.

[@ProfessorKenneth]

I friggin love Syd and Pink Floyd__👍🏻💯🇬🇧🎸 David and the rest of the guys looking out for Syd for the rest of his days was /is an awesome thing to do.

[@gregorytimmons4777]

One of the saddest stories of an immense talent falling so short of his potential just as they began to take off. Yet it's obvious he was a huge factor in the formative years of Pink Floyd.

[@matthewdenham7398]

Syd musician poet storyteller and eccentric all in one complete package

[@andrewnapthali1831]

Absolutely love Syd he will b dearly missed!!!! 😢✌️

[@scott7521]

Joe Boyd produced two of the great eccentrics of the 60s and 70s with Syd and Nick Drake. Two special people.

[@johnhulsker9123]

It takes sensitivity to produce art however, sensitivity can destroy the soul,,

[@misterghee1]

Record companies can be 2 blunt hat off to Joe Boyd🎶👍

[@alanwood5857]

Well done...big Syd Barrett fan, very sad as well.

[@TheJanster100]

I always seek/look for/enjoy learning more about the early days of my favorite groups...what they went through to become what they are today... How they paid they got together/paid their dues in the music industry; how and why they changed...I'm always there, seeking this...

[@mickeyg8675]

Love ya, Syd! Listening to The Madcap Laughs right now courtesy of the WPB library. Isn't the library grand? Wish you were here.

[@MissJensk1]

@Mickey G My brother produced that album!

[@sfender2182]

My brother has had schizophrenia for about 40 years, and from what I’ve heard it seems that Syd also had this. Love his Pink Floyd music; and his 3 solo albums are very enjoyable as well. Yes, there are parts of this music that many might see as being a bit under produced, or amateurish, but there is also so much brilliance in a lot of the 3 solo albums; and I prefer it over so much other music!! God bless Syd Barrett.

[@MamaofaWrestler]

@sfender2182 Thank you for your comment, so many people don't realize that Syd began breaking down mentally it due to the onset of Schizophrenia. Everyone thought his personality changes and odd behavior were from drugs, until it became noticeable that he was CONSISTENTLY going down, and had stopped drugs. He literally walked out one day and was found sleeping in the streets, and had no idea who he was. 😢 It's so very sad. 😢

[@Bulletguy07]

@@MamaofaWrestler None of the other band members knew what was going on with Syd. He became increasingly difficult to work with and unreliable to the point where they eventually stopped picking him up when off to play some gigs. I've heard Dave Gilmour say that with hindsight they should have handled it better and got Syd professional help. It was all extremely sad.

[@RDnAC]

@@Bulletguy07That was my question - did Syd ever get treated for schizophrenia? If not why?

[@Bulletguy07]

@@RDnAC No he didn't and even his own family denied Syd was mentally ill. Back in the 60s/70s being mentally ill had a stigma to it. Its worth reading Syds Wiki page as there is a section detailing his health problems on there.

[@fredflintstoner596]

SADLY MISSED SYD, SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND

[@TONYSESLCAFE]

Syd Barrett! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL INTELLECTUAL... love you Syd forever...

[@timmotel5804]

2023: Very good. Well presented, and sad. Thank You

[@hnewman9296]

I'm 14 and I love to listen to piper of the gates of dawn. My favourite song is Gnome. So cool 😎

[@TheORIGINALBrentTheGent]

Syd was a talent that is sorely missed in this modern world!

[@glenx4892]

Each Saturday morning for going on 10 years now, I tune into a syndicated radio show "Floydian Slip" Craig Bailey,the host is a veritable Floyd historian, awesome host and I learn the back story of the Floyd each week, something new. Syd Barrett was the nucleus of Pink Floyd and whenever his name is mentioned or I hear the song SOYCD, I am digging through the internet to learn more about Syd Barrett, the musical genius, his solo work, interviews and anything thing he ever worked on ... Hats off to a great Human Being and thank you for your musical vision and inspiration.

[@duncan-rmi]

nice to see, right at the top of this, the unedited version of that oft-shown "why does it all have to be so terribly loud?" exchange.

[@creekandseminole]

Piper At the Gates of Dawn stands on its own. So raw and so astounding

[@susanschildt2738]

Syd is an icon for the rest of time.

[@markross2426]

Great documentary!!!

[@robertreynolds1167]

When I think of Syd I get very sad. I mean, his potential was enormous and I would have loved to see where he would have gone if not for his over use of drugs.

[@Wimmles_Emily]

I grew up listening to Syd Barrett , I’m named after one of his songs and I’m now rediscovering him and I think the best part of syd is that he makes music that can relate to anyone and anyone can feel connected to him, I know I do.

[@gringopig]

Well good on Gilmour for not stopping the session.

[@gleblerston37]

Timestamp?

[@mattcooper9026]

@@devinreese7704 what do you mean? 🤔

[@warrenny]

@@gleblerston37 46:40 and then listen to the story about being in recording studio.

[@warrenny]

gringopig it wasn't the last time Glimour stood up for Syd. Basically for the rest of Syd's life, Glimour made sure that he got a percent of Pink Floyd royalties even though he had long since left the band.

[@bubblezovlove7213]

Yeah I like the idea that even though everyone was uncomfortable, Syd wasnt. That's all that mattered that day. Syd was ok inside his own universe somewhere playing an amazing tune to some intergalactic crowd...

[@wallacelovecraft8942]

A nice telling of Syd from a couple people who have crossed paths with I'm in life. I enjoyed it.

[@brucecall1595]

A unique and beautiful mind and man . His personality was constantly evolving in and out of madness. This is more common than you think. This case is just so well documented and speculated on. This is how fact and fiction become intertwined,leading to myth and ledgend. I first heard at a young age 11 or 12 ,this was a band with a"real crazy man". This of course peaks interest.

[@paolacalderon6567]

Love you forever Syd

[@LusciousTwinkle]

Anyone claiming that LSD had no part in Syds decline is kidding themselves. I've known several people personally whose mental illness was kicked off by acid. Whether or not they still would have become ill is another matter acid definitely accelerated the problem. It's mental stuff and was so strong back then.

[@slawssson9447]

Mister Physics Ya but they’re just saying it coulda intensified a pre existing problem. Idk dawg

[@johnb.8687]

I use to take acid with my two good friends. I think I ended up fine but acid completely fuck them up. My one friend even died on acid, nasty fall. If you take acid and defend it then just stop because you don’t know if someone will react to it same as you.

[@andre3823]

Bad drug!!!

[@LusciousTwinkle]

@@davidcraig3609 IKR? I dont why everyone is being so rude and aggressive. Like kids today know what acid is - the tabs they have are barely LSD at all. Back in Syds time and even our time David it was very very strong. Plus when youve lived a little youve seen more and you know a thing or too.

[@LusciousTwinkle]

@meme DanK You are a silly little boy with a microcock.

[@budahbaba7856]

I always loved Syd's guitar playing, and the excellent runs he could do on a song like "Lucifer Sam" for example, turning it into some strange hybrid between James Bond in the music and Edgar Allen Poe in the lyrics, and a healthy dose of playfulness in between. But that first album, Piper at the Gates of Dawn, it was so insane, i don't know how that you can follow it up. I love that album, but it was something that cannot be repeated. And it breaks my heart that Syd was the casualty, the sacrifice if you will, to make it happen.

[@sakurak1974]

Really great

[@limegreenthecolor]

David Gilmore must be a very good man. He tried to help him after the overdose. An example is when he took him to the recording studio and had his back when the engineer began lampooning him. After hearing that, I have a lot of respect for David Gilmore.

[@ButterfatFarms]

Gilmour :)

[@mattfulton3109]

Go dawgs

[@keithwilson8235]

I love that he loved his mom.

[@coolhand67]

Norman Smith, what a voice and what a storyteller!

[@reverendjames9842]

Misleading title. The few interviewees are aqauintences at best. One of them actually says 'It was sad, he was mad'. Such valuable insight!

[@donnaeve6084]

Real insight here,it wasn't ' the drugs" alone,he didn't like the whole commercial scene,the repetition,a true artist

[@cynthiamarston2208]

Now a days they are suggesting something on the autism spectrum or Aspergers of some form.... I read some articles about that just after I decided he was schizophrenic moderately.....so now I’m just gonna say he had “Roger Barrett” ! Seriously. I’ve read he was very stubborn, thus giving up music completely. I’ve read he had a nasty bad temper, thus some girlfriends and places such as his home in Cambridge for which they gave him anti psychotics for a while or not long anyway but repeated. He had synesthesia seems very clear...like the only clear thing! I’ve read how lovable he was retired in Cambridge and at the same time I’ve read how blunt and unpleasant he could be. I’ve read he was lonely and sometimes suicidal then I’ve read he was content and enjoyed his own company and didn’t want visitors but maybe that only meant fans and interviewers. I learned he was in hospital and given the death sentence after 4 weeks and sent home to die in his own bed. I’ve read he was in a home for disturbed people a couple years but no meds.....man I mean it seems just all over the place. All that walking and other things bouncing stride on balls of feet childhood thru adult which is sort aspergers autism stuff....I read he intentionally acted weird after too much touring and playing same songs and he did so because he wanted his band to just be jam musicians so they didn’t have to do that part and they didn’t agree. And what was the story finding him in a corner of a room in catatonic state and from then on not the same? It’s been suggested he took chemicals different from acid and actually could result in brain damage. When he saw they weren’t gonna change nor put up with his antics he got freaked out knowing they wanted him gone and took to extra drug abuse. Hell I even read he used amphetamines in retirement resulting in ulcers and stomach surgery and I read he shot heroine in London and probably got hep C which leads to some of his symptoms.... I read he was actually quite remote from girlfriends except first one and then I read he wrote love letters...I read daily acid intake results in no high quickly like days. It still remains sad and confusing for the most part. He was different that’s for sure!

[@Nautilus1972]

I don't think Syd's brain was gone like Laing said. He had probably just realized it just wasn't worth the bother, and had himself a quiet life instead.

[@damselcausingdistress81]

donnaeve same for Kurt Cobain. The confines of superstardom isnt what the true artist is after. Once achieved it is quickly realized to be the complete opposite of what they thought it would be.... So sad. Addiction and mental illness take the best!

[@executionsquad3926]

Really??? He signed the EMI contract.

[@MrWadsox]

Shine on you crazy diamond.

[@guzaria]

Beautiful soul. RIP

[@leedavies3629]

Brilliant 🙂✌️

[@audiophile64]

Magical,mystical, and unnerving and totally unique.What would Floyd have been had he stayed,they are always at the top of my list of all time but how much greater could they have been with Syd? We will never know.As they stand they are my favorite band of all time period,I have everything they ever did.Their talent is on a totally otherworldly level.

[@chamade166]

Would have been much worse. Masterful art requires discipline and practice.

[@twodalec]

best thing for pink floyd as a band was sid leaving. he was their mate, but if he had stayed he would have destroyed the band. then he bacame an inspiration for some of their best music, that would not have happened with him in the band.

[@brendanhoffmann8402]

My best friend and band mate bought me 'piper at the gates of dawn' for Xmas or my birthday one year when I was 20 or so... I think the story of sid resonated with our relationship because I was a burgeoning schizophrenic at the time and we were both in a band together. Our band was called 21st Century Ox (2000s). We have some albums available for streaming on spotify etc... I ended up quitting the band and going solo and released 'pre-psychotic demos 1 & 2 ' this year and 'Psychotic' also under my own name. Luckily when I had my 'freak out', I used magic mushrooms every day for 2 weeks rather than acid... The case for 'drug induced psychosis' is a strong one... I remember friends coming to the door and greeting them then having no conversation once they entered... Psychosis is an interesting phenomena... I got over mine in the end

[@kelvinlewis4065]

Amazing times !!

[@tramlad2]

Still the best band of their era, wrote extraordinary music, from 1974 until 1983 ish, best band live on the planet

[@warrenny]

You mean from 1967 to 1983? or did you not enjoy their early work?

[@evelyngill5134]

No, then enters LED Zeppelin😮

[@vovindequasahi]

I love that guy's hair, the one with the Orange jacket. Wow. Beautiful. I love self-expression!

[@joelrizzo2786]

That's legendary British Pop Artist and flatmate of Syd, Duggie Fields

[@sexobscura]

A truth is that Barrett wrote some songs and got tired of music as a form of his expression and moved into what he always found more satisfying ie: painting. All the amateur psychologists diagnosing him as this or the other amused him

[@Juanfifarek]

This is absolutely true. I know his sister, brother's, nephew , his friends growing up etc.. and I expressed that exact same theory and we all agreed. He didn't like the baggage and stress that fame brought . His 1st and only true love was always painting. He chose the simplistic life from the phoney world of entertainment. He was never diagnosed as schizophrenic or was never put on any psychiatric medication.

[@tylerthompson1842]

How could you blame him.. look what it became.

[@shable1436]

I tripped for a year straight and im ok except for all the voices i hear talking and aliens following me around and bigfoots starring at me in the woods.

[@remlatzargonix1329]

Shablé ....but you were like that before tripping, so no difference then.

[@flipwright1138]

@@shable1436 I trapped for a year and caught a bigfoot in the woods.

[@Cat-bz7tm]

In heaven now and free from illness , free to be his genuis creative self and produce beautifal music . God bless you sid

[@xwarx1000]

True GENIUS!!

[@niavvaran]

For the typical look of that era, Syd most definitely had a very sophisticated handsome face. Even in a two dimensional picture the sparkles in his eyes are so captivating.

[@Danimal77]

The sparkles in his eyes went away at the end of May 1967, never to return again.

[@niavvaran]

@@Danimal77 that’s so sad. :(

[@tattyshoesshigure5731]

Rick Wright’s dreamy, trippy keyboard sound is incredible!

[@ozzo8573]

Wright has a solo album called 'Wet Dream' i believe, and i think it's pretty good

[@mwmingram]

Thank you.

[@plasteredbastard]

Syd was a one off. His innate genius couldn't allow for an easy assimilation to the world around him.

[@communitygardener17]

Not a one-off. It was an explosive time in art schools, youth culture, counterculture throughout the U.S. and, presumably, the UK and Europe. Sounds like the coming together that grew into Pink Floyd was created by the quality of their relationships the made their collaboration so fruitfull.

[@misterghee1]

With a record deal, yes😉👍

[@telumatramenti7250]

There are very few music pieces with lyrics which I enjoyed more than Syd Barrett's songs while under the influence of psychedelics. His lyrics were fresh, somewhat mischievous, witty and clever on many levels, and I suspect that the more one was well read, well travelled and well educated, - the more he would appreciate Syd Barrett's songs and the way his personality came out through them. These songs seem to have a synaesthetic appeal to them, - appearing to join many different things that didn't seem to fit together, but his songs made them fit, and I think that was the beauty of Floyd as a band which was almost completely lost when he left. I can't be sure whether he had schizophrenia or simply a pronounced schizotypal disorder which made him prone to instances of eccentric behaviour, but it would be disingenuous to attribute his genius to a mental disorder or mental illness. I worked in mental health settings, and most in-patients in general psychiatric care facilities are nowhere near the level of Syd. Maybe some people just aren't "welcome to machine", and maybe this is one of the reasons why brevity has to be one of the key components of beauty.

[@robertcarter8600]

Very thoughtful. I was in mad love to girl ("to" because it was one sided) of the same type (Capricorn, as Syd was), and sooo talented. Yet mood swings, anti-depressants and demanding attitude took tall on her by 21-22. Disconnection with tedious reality, complete disregard to repetitive hard work. She got disability and for decades watched Universe through tiny hole in house wall...

[@tonyduncan9852]

_" brevity has to be one of the key components of beauty"_ - True, and that's why early Floyd ain't _that_ beautiful. Tempo change would have helped.

[@damiensuil2183]

absoloutely agree

[@ryanblob3105]

What a pretentious load of crap.

[@levidos]

What does one's date of birth (zodiac sign) have to do with his personality?

[@calvinhobbes7504]

I was ignorant of Pink Floyd until "Dark Side of the Moon" and then I had to have everything they did. (My "Pulse" L.E.D. flashed until 2006!) I didn't know much about Syd Barrett except that he was an original king pin. I came away believing that although he left the group (fired) the rest of the band loved him deeply. I would like to be loved like that by my coworkers if my supervisor fired me! :)

[@stevelawrie9115]

Remember listening to Piper at the Gates of Dawn and Saucer Full of Secrets in the early 70's, in Australia. You had to be there :)

[@charlesharper7292]

I've been listening to Pink Floyd a while. It took me a while to appreciate Syd's contribution to the band. It's just the era I grew up in

[@ReDevil2_2A]

I still think that Syd is so underappreciated and not given the credit he deserves for his brilliance and influence on the London Psychadelic rock scene and what followed in the late 60's. I mean, is it coincidence that while Floyd was in Studio recording Piper, that the Beatles were right next door while making Sgt Peppers??? I think not and I believe that Syd had a major influence on how the Beatles went about making that Album. To me, that is brilliance...

[@campbellclark2988]

You should really listen to what Roger has to say about that. They only met once, they were allowed to see one recording and they influenced Floyd more than the other way around.

[@jackinthebox6143]

I like the version of See Emily Play at the end you can hear the bass. It rocks. Anyone know where it can be found? Is it a bootleg?

[@AWildBard]

Fascinating.

[@PinkFloydCollectors]

Beautiful poet, painter and sadly prisoner… Shine On and on…

[@chiselcheswick5673]

The whole band were so well spoken and gracious in interviews. And to think the older generation at the time see them as being shocking for playing loud. What the hell would they make of some of the stuff today.

[@amberlopez7477]

On the WALL album. I heard this, at the center right, after the last song. A voice said. ''God, please save Syd.'' This was played on an old stereo system. Where the arm would have more play in it. So it would have more room to go to the very end of records. Not all record players would do that.

[@corywiedenbeck1562]

Is this really you?

[@cobrakaicyberdon]

​​@@corywiedenbeck1562 nah cmon . Course it's not her. She looks about 22. Don't think she was listening to original floyd records, that said save sid.?. I could be wrong but I would say its not her. It's probably an older women or man. 🤷🏽‍♂️ ✌️✌️✌️

[@BeliaLastes]

RIP Syd 🌹💗

[@forrisvourvopoulos3252]

I've been following PF sense teen years, and even as a drummer before I cross over on BiBop PF, been and will remain the only band, or from the few bands, that through SB and beyond travel to the next Millennium. SB was and always remain the driving force behind. He dared to be Him! And yes, not a guru but, he was away far from many of us. All those who PF, should by definition to go through SB stuff, right till Division Bell. U hear him, seeing him, and simply U or, he stairs right in your head. Yes, DG did awesome he let the session to roll! U never interrupt, is wrong, is disrespectful. 🙏🤘At least in SBs case🙏🤘