About
Syd Barrett, born Roger Keith Barrett, was a British musician, co-founder and original leader of Pink Floyd. He wrote the hit singles 'Arnold Layne' and 'See Emily Play' and most of the tracks on the landmark album 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn' (1967). His erratic behavior, often attributed to heavy LSD use, led to his departure from the band in 1968. He then released two solo albums in 1970 before withdrawing from music in 1975, living reclusively in Cambridge, devoting himself to painting and gardening.
* 1946-01-06 — † 2006-07-07
Major works
- The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)album
- The Madcap Laughs (1970)album
- Barrett (1970)album
Key milestones
- 1965Co-founded Pink Floyd and coined the band name by combining the names of blues musicians Pink Anderson and Floyd Council.
- 1968Left Pink Floyd in April, following the recruitment of David Gilmour in December 1967.
- 1975Withdrew from the music industry and lived reclusively in Cambridge.
Themes
PsychedeliaCreativity and declineSocial withdrawalArt and paintingInfluence on progressive rock
Sources: britannica.com · id.loc.gov