"Shine On You Crazy Diamond" - RIP Syd Barrett

Syd Barrett, one of the original members of legendary rock group Pink Floyd, has died at the age of 60 from complications arising from diabetes. More from www.davidgilmour.com :- It is with great sadness that we report that Syd Barrett, the former lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of Pink Floyd, has died at the age of 60. Syd died peacefully at his home in Cambridge after suffering from complications related to diabetes. There will be a private family funeral. David Gilmour recently paid tribute to his old friend Syd by including the classic songs Arnold Layne and Dominoes in the set-list for the On An Island tour. He will be much missed, though his influence remains. The following is an extract from UK trade paper Music Week's daily news page: Pink Floyd founding member Syd Barrett has died at his Cambridgeshire home from what is believed to be complications from diabetes. The 60-year-old, who suffered a breakdown in the Sixties following his use of LSD, had been a virtual recluse for more than three decades after completely withdrawing from the public spotlight in the early Seventies. He passed away last Friday, although news of his death has today only been announced. Pink Floyd issued a statement saying, "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". Barrett penned their first two hit singles, Arnold Layne (which reached number 20 in the UK) and See Emily Play (a UK number six), while their first album The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn followed later in 1967. However, their third single Apples And Oranges reflected Barrett's worsening mental state. David Gilmour joined the line-up in February 1968, giving rise to suggestions [that] Barrett would follow the example of Brian Wilson and stop touring with the band to concentrate on his songwriting. Instead, his departure from the band was announced the following April. The last Floyd album he appeared on was their second set, A Saucerful Of Secrets, released in July 1968. Work then started on his first solo album, The Madcap Laughs, which made it to number 40 in the UK chart in February 1970. A second album, Barrett, followed, but an attempt to return to recording in 1974 ended in failure. Despite being a recluse since the mid-Seventies, Barrett remained an inspirational figure to many musicians. His legacy was felt in recent solo gigs this year by David Gilmour who in one concert at London's Royal Albert Hall performed Barrett's Arnold Layne with David Bowie during the encore.