Shine On You Crazy Diamond

Roger Keith Barrett was born January 6, 1946 and passed from this world on July 7, 2006. During his time with us, he was best known by the nick name "Syd" and for founding one of the most influential rock bands of all time: Pink Floyd.

Syd's story is inspiring, influential and tragic at the same time. He inspired and continues to do so with his wild imagination. He was in a constant state of pushing boundaries through his art. It was his vision that caused EMI Records to take note of what his band was doing to push rock in a new direction. He was among the first in all of rock & roll to see how well visuals could be used in a live setting to accompany the music. As far as influence goes, one need look no further than every music performance over the past 3 decades or so. Prior to the stage productions of the Pink Floyd shows of the late 60's, concerts were prone to using "house lights" along with an occasional spot light on a featured band member. Syd had a much larger vision for what a rock performance could be and it branched out from him directly to every other stage on Earth. The alternating, variable lighting and rudimentary overhead projections of the time have made way to other artists constantly borrowing from and enhancing the same scheme to this very day.

Syd's story is also tragic in that, while on a constant quest to push forward or go further, it is universally agreed he eventually went too far. Syd was eventually dismissed from Pink Floyd because, through hallucinogenic drugs, he had pushed his on mind so far out there that he was no longer able to function in normal society. I don't want to focus too much on the negative and/or tragic aspect of Syd's legacy. A simple Google search will dig up all of the unfortunately accurate information available about his steady decline. I do however want to touch on an interesting point David Gilmour once made about Syd's decline. David was doing an interview about Syd's early yearts and was asked if he could describe what exactly happened to Syd. Gilmour thought for a few moments and replied "It was suddenly as if that light that was so bright in his eyes, that place where you know so much was going on, had been switched off. The light was gone, he looked looked completely lost instead of looking like a leader who could take you anywhere". That quote has always stuck with me as do pictures like the two above. One being from early in Syd's career with the Floyd and the second being from after he'd left the band. In those two pictures alone, you can see exactly what David Gilmour was describing.

After Syd was removed from Pink Floyd, he did go on to create a number of solo tracks which where originally released as his solo albums "The Madcap Laughs" and "Barrett" in the beginning and end of 1970 respectively. These albums, along with several outtakes and remixes of sorts have appeared on upwards of 10 compilation projects through the years.

One of my favorite songs Syd ever released was called "Octopus" (above) from The Mapcap Laughs LP. Recorded and released a few years after he'd been deemed unfit to carry on making music, I really feel that it shows something was still there for Syd creatively. For whatever reason, Syd chose to discontinue making music entirely soon after the original release of the first two solo efforts.  At no point did he partake in any further live performances neither solo or with Pink Floyd.

Pink Floyd obviously went on to greater success after Syd's departure. While working on their own Pink Floyd related projects, the members kept in touch with Syd as much as they could. David Gilmour and Richard Wright also lent a hand to the material and overall production of both of Syd's solo efforts. After the monumental album and tour for The Dark Side of the Moon, the remaining members of Floyd did not forget their original inspiration. Their next effort, 1975's "Wish You Were Here" is both a lavish tribute to their friend and scathing comment on the record industry that had a hand in pushing Syd well beyond his limits. At 40 some odd minutes and only 5 tracks long, the record stopped off in the middle for angry tracks like "Welcome To The Machine" and "Have A Cigar" to mark the anger with the music industry previously mentioned. Near the end of the record is the title track which is so universal, it can be applied to just about anyone. But with it's place in the track listing, one can only assume that Syd was front of mind when lyrics like "Did you exchange a walk on part in  the war for a lead role in a cage?" were written. The album is book ended with "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" (above), a sprawling and brilliant direct tribute to Syd. The song is a tribute and cautionary tale at the same time. Many of the lyrics point to the sheer brilliance that was Syd and others warn of the price Syd eventually paid. Can you read the prior quote from David Gilmour about Syd's decline and not immediately reference the lyric "Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky"?

As I said before, a quick Google search will quench any sort of thirst you have for knowledge of Syd's decline so I don't need to focus on that. I choose instead to focus on what he did accomplish, what he inspired, who he influenced and the music he gave us both directly and indirectly. He left our world physically five years ago today. He remains in so many hearts now and forever.

"Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
Come on you piper, you prisoner and shine"

Roger Keith "Syd" Barrett
January 6, 1946-July 7, 2006