The singer, 60, who suffered from an LSD-induced breakdown while at the peak of his career in the Sixties, died last Friday (July 7). It has been reported that he died from complications related to diabetes, however, other reports suggest the cause of death was cancer.
A statement from Pink Floyd said: "The band are naturally very upset and sad to learn of Syd Barrett's death.
"Syd was the guiding light of the early band line-up and leaves a legacy which continues to inspire."
His brother Alan confirmed his death earlier today (July 11), saying: "He died peacefully at home. There will be a private family funeral in the next few days."
'Syd' Barrett was born Roger Keith Barrett in Cambridge on January 6, 1946, the youngest of five children. A keen musician from an early age, he acquired the nickname which became his most prominent moniker aged 15, a reference to another Cambridge-based musician, also named Sid Barrett.
Barrett formed Pink Floyd along with Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Rick Wright in 1965, reputedly naming the band after two blues artists, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council, who had a place in his record collection.
From R&B beginnings, the band developed a unique psychedelic style which sat well with the swinging London hipsters of the time. They quickly became the house band at the acclaimed UFO Club on Tottenham Court Road in the West End, which championed acts from the psychedelic underground.
The band recorded their first single 'Arnold Layne', written by Barrett about a cross-dresser, in January 1967. Produced by 60s scenester Joe Boyd, the recording proved enough for EMI to offer the group a contract.
After scoring a Top Ten hit with 'See Emily Play', again written by Barrett, the band released their debut LP 'The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn' in August 1967.
The record, on which Barrett wrote eight songs and co-wrote another two, was recorded at Abbey Road studios in London's St John's Wood, next door to where The Beatles were making 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'.
As well as composing many of the tunes, Barrett was renowned for his innovative guitar playing, experimenting with feedback and distortion and using props such as a Zippo Lighter to get a unique sound from his Fender Esquire.
The UK public liked what they heard - the LP made the Top Ten and the band started to attract a devoted following. However, Barrett was becoming increasingly unhinged, which coincided with regular consumption of LSD.
The star started to behave erratically at gigs, most memorably at a show in San Francisco when he put hair gel on his head until it slowly melted over his face thanks to the heat from the stage lights.
Towards the end of 1967, friend of the band David Gilmour was asked to join as second guitarist to compensate for Barrett's behaviour. It got so bad that on the way to a gig in Southampton in January 1968, Pink Floyd elected not to pick him up.
When Pink Floyd's second album 'A Saucerful Of Secrets' was released in 1968, it contained only one Barrett composition, 'Jugband Blues'. His official departure was announced in March 1968.
Following this, Barrett holed himself up in his flat in London's Earls Court, resurfacing in 1970 to release two solo albums, 'The Madcap Laughs' and 'Barrett', which were not commercially successful. Among the people helping him out on these records were Gilmour and Waters. Gilmour also backed Barrett at his one concert during this period, in June 1970 at London Olympia.
In 1972 Barrett resurfaced in a band called Stars, but he quit after one gig at Cambridge Corn Exchange. In 1974, his old manager Peter Jenner managed to get Barrett to return to Abbey Road in hope of recording another album. When this also proved fruitless, Barrett sold the rights to his solo albums back to the record label and returned to Cambridge to live with his mother. He never returned to the music industry, and lived in the same house until his death. He was said to be fond of painting, writing and gardening. Pink Floyd ensured he still got regular royalty payments.
Pink Floyd of course, went on to achieve massive worldwide fame, and 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond', from the 1975 album 'Wish You Were Here', was a tribute to him. Sensationally, Barrett made a brief visit to the studio when the track was being recorded, having put on weight and shaved his hair. The rest of the band have since confessed their distress at seeing him in such a dishevelled state.
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Brazil
I am a great fan of Syd. The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is my favorite Pink Floyd album, and the early years are my favorite in the band's career. His influence in music and in the culture will stay forever. A genius.
From Curitiba-PR, South of Brazil,
Juliano Dallarmi Prestes Mion
AL
After hearing the devasting news today, the only thing I really want to say is that I hope that Uncut's next available issue is completely devoted to Roger "Syd" Barrett.
Syd is one of the true original geniuses of music, in a league with Jimi Hendrix, Mozart, Dylan and Robert Johnson. Uncut is a truly great magazine. Please give Syd the tribute he deserves.
Ohio
In the US before PF was popular, here in Ctown (the home of rock and roll) we thought Syd was a myth created by the band. until we could get the bootleg UK recordings. It's great to see him being recognized for creative contributions to one the greatest bands of all time. Maybe this could bring everyone together again.
Waterford
R.I.P. Syd Barrett whose vision and brilliance have inspired so many after him.
PA
Syd -
You will not be missed by me. As my husband told me this evening as I listened to Gigolo Ant and Love Song and many songs on Piper for the umpteenth time in my life, yet in a different light, I do not know you. I never knew you. But I do feel a disturbance and a loss. Although I may not miss you, Roger, I do feel a great loss.
You're the kind of guy who fits in with my world.
kent
there's another cracked smile in hobo heaven tonight, goodnight syd, sweet dreams, xx
Kent
I can't believe that this story has no comments on it yet. Syd Barrett was a biggie for me. His death is very sad although of course the music World has been without him for many years before that. One of those artists whose influence far exceeds his output. His passing may not produce too many column inches, but he has a legacy that will live on. I hope his final days were peaceful.
São Paulo
It´s really a pity and a loss for an entire generation.
Syd made himself a legend and, despite of his erratic ways, was really a musical genious. I started loving rock & Pink Floyd by hearing "Astronomy Domine". Simply fantastic song, a showcase, and definitely ahead of its time. Nothing left to say. By Barrett.
british columbia
I could give my usual overly dramatic summary on the life of Syd Barrett, to whom I never knew. But in this case I choose not to!
I didn't know Roger Keith Barrett, nor did I know the 'Madcap Syd.' Like many, I read about him, I watched the early Pink Floyd videos, I listened to his works on the collection, 'Wouldn't You Miss Me' and I heard stories. Some good, some terribly bad, but always legendary.
'Syd' Barrett was an amazing rhythm guitarist, and a good choice as leader of the Pink Floyd, an underground band named after 'Syd's' two favourite artists in his collection, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council.
They performed pioneering gigs at London's favourite underground scene The U.F.O. There they honed their skills, and experimented with what was soon to be their iconic, unique sound. However, after being given a contract from EMI in 1967 everything started to go wrong for Barrett.
Unable to deal with the nationwide success of the band and his own status, Barrett took to ingesting copious amounts of L.S.D., disappearing for days on end, and upon his return to the studio where Pink Floyd were recording he shocked his band mates with his temperamental, and unseemingly erratic behaviour.
It was at this time that the Floyd were gaining commercial success, with the Barrett-penned Bike, Interstellar Overdrive, 'See Emily Play'...and the gender-orientated, 'Arnold Layne'.
But Floyd's fame was to Barrett's downfall, and he completely withdrew from the band, being swiftly replaced by talented lead guitarist David Gilmour.
He spent the last forty years of his life holed up in a semi-detached house in Cambridge, England. Rare sightings were made of him, and flocks of fans came from far and wide to witness the spectacle that was 'Syd.'
There was one story in 1974 in which the Floyd, by then recording their legendary Dark Side of the Moon album, and in the studio working on the single Shine On You Crazy Diamond (ironically written about Syd). 'Syd' was spotted by bassist Roger Waters and drummer Nick Mason in the studio. Unfortunately, Barrett had gained excessive wait, and had stunningly shaved off all of his hair and even eyebrows. Both Waters and Mason were reduced to tears at what Barrett had become!
Roger Barrett spent the last of his years in ill health. Suffering from grade two diabetes, he cut a lonely figure by day. His main hobby was painting abstract images, but according to those few people 'allowed' around him, he was at peace.
I'd like to think so too.
Bedfordshire
Me poor old uncle syd's died. How do you expect me to feel.
We're not worthy of even kissing his headstone. He was one of rocks untouchables.
True, he was a bit 'round the bend but aren't we all.
When he was in his elament in the PF days he could not be beaten tracks like "Bike" and "Lucifer Sam" showed his off his truelly unique view of the world.
When he went solo he really went over the edge. People couldn't cope with it, thus his solo albums did not sell.
If you listen to his solo albums carefully something very strange happens. You start to build up a picture of someone in severre mental torment.
They can actually be quite distressing to listen to.
First solo album "The Madcap Laughs" he can bearly string his words together as if you were listening to someone who was under sedation and in psychiatric care.
Second and final album "Barrett" not much easier to listen to either.
To sum up. His untimely death is a very real tragedy to which the music world may never recover.
Ontario
"I'm most obliged to you for making it clear that I'm not here"
Ontario
Why are great music and drug abuse so commonly placed together?
Does the use of drugs nurture creativity?
Or just alter it?
I think the latter.
There would have been more music, more paintings, more life as this crazy diamond would have shone brighter and longer.
