Roger Keith 'Syd' Barrett (1946-2006) was the original front man and songwriter for Pink Floyd. Widely seen as a musical genius, he was an undisputed pioneer of the sixties underground psychedelic scene, and remains a source of unrelenting fascination for music journalists and fans alike.

Despite spending little more than two years with Pink Floyd, Syd's song writing was integral to the group's experimental sound – their works distanced them from the American-inspired Rhythm and Blues favoured by many of their contemporaries. When, in 2001, Pink Floyd released Echoes, The Best of Pink Floyd, Syd had written, or contributed to, over a fifth of the tracks. Similarly, Syd's solo recordings, at times whimsical and poignant, at times hypnotic and sparse, have been cited as influential by musicians as diverse as David Bowie, Michael Stipe, Robyn Hitchcock, and Graham Coxon – yet they comprise only two albums and a collection of outtakes recorded between 1969 and 1970.

"I think he kind of had raw talent. Most people, you know, they'll have a tube of it, and they'll squeeze it out a little and then mix in some turps...But Barrett is like a kid who got hold of a tube of talent, the way that children would get hold of a tube of toothpaste – squeeze it all out." Robyn Hitchcock.

Roger 'Syd' Barrett was born on January 6th 1946 to Max and Winifred Barrett at 60 Glisson Road, Cambridge, the fourth of five children. While Roger was still in his infancy, the family moved to 183 Hills Road and it was here that his creative talents became apparent: as a teenager, Roger began to attend extra Saturday morning art classes at Homerton College. The family were still living in Hills Road when, in December 1961, Max Barrett passed away. The loss of his father had a profound effect on the young Roger who was only 15 years old.

Around this time Roger, already a budding guitarist and music fan, earned the nickname 'Syd' after Sid Barrett, a bassist who played with the local Cambridge Riverside Jazz Band. On leaving school he was accepted onto an arts foundation course at Cambridge College of Arts and Technology (now part of Anglia Ruskin University).


Syd's love of music grew as he met other musicians his age, played in bands and spent many Sundays and lunchtimes jamming with fellow student David Gilmour and other young music hopefuls.

In 1964 Syd enrolled at Camberwell College of Arts in South London. Whilst he proved a talented painter, he also became heavily involved with the burgeoning underground music scene. In 1965, he joined former schoolmate Roger Waters in the group that was to become 'The Pink Floyd Sound', and finally 'Pink Floyd', named by Barrett after American bluesmen Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. As singer, songwriter and lead guitarist, Syd was the driving force behind the improvisational soundscapes – not least Interstellar Overdrive – which dominated Pink Floyd's early gigs at the UFO club on Tottenham Court Road.

As the band began to experience commercial success, they were increasingly expected to satisfy the demands of the music industry. The constant touring, television interviews and the obligation to play their hit singles repeatedly to satisfy fans began to take its toll. As Syd became disenchanted with the group's direction, he showed signs of suffering the pressures of fame.

In 1968, Syd left Pink Floyd and after recording two solo albums, gradually withdrew from the London social scene, retreating ultimately to Cambridge in 1980. He found solace in solitude and anonymity, and returned to painting, his first creative love, producing large abstract canvasses and impressionistic works taken from still life. As well as painting, he was a keen gardener and tried his hand at DIY, although his sister Rosemary admits that "he was always laughing at his attempts". Syd became Roger once more, a shy but contented man, pleased with regular visits from family and well-liked by local shopkeepers and neighbours. He lived firmly in the present; he showed no interest in his past, nor any desire to exploit it, and was baffled by the unbidden interest paid to him by journalists and fans alike. This, combined with his total disinterest in materialism, had a profound affect on his art: once he had completed a painting, he would often photograph it and destroy the canvas.

Roger 'Syd' Barrett died on 7th July 2006, from complications caused by diabetes. A tribute concert was held at the Barbican, London, on May 10th 2007, with contributions from many musicians including Damon Albarn, Chrissie Hynde, and Pink Floyd, who performed Arnold Layne. A series of events called The City Wakes was held in Cambridge in October 2008 to celebrate Syd's life, art and music.

'Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun. Shine on you crazy diamond.'
Lyrics by Roger Waters, from the Pink Floyd album 'Wish You Were Here'.
© Roger Waters.
Artemis Muziekuitgeverij B.V./admin. by Warner Chappell Music Publishing.