Happy 60th Birthday, Syd
The fallen genius who turned Pink Floyd into the leading psychedelic band of the day, and amazed everyone (even The Beatles!) with ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’, is 60 today.
David would like to take this opportunity to send his warmest wishes to his friend, Roger Keith Barrett, who will always be affectionately known to those who knew and loved him – not to mention the many who have been touched and inspired by his music – simply as ‘Syd’.
As well as his vital contribution to Pink Floyd’s second album ‘A Saucerful of Secrets’, Syd has made two solo albums, ‘The Madcap Laughs’ and ‘Barrett’. There is also the ‘Opel’ compilation of studio outtakes. If you haven’t heard them, then do give them a try.
David has always championed Syd’s music and produced almost all of Syd’s studio sessions from July 1969. He fought to include as many of Syd’s songs on Pink Floyd’s ‘Echoes’ compilation, as well as performing several of Syd’s songs live – most notably ‘Terrapin’ and ‘Dominoes’ in 2001 and 2002.
We hope you can find time today to play some of Syd’s songs and to remember him as the creative genius who wrote such enchanting and thought-provoking lyrics, dared to be different and inspired myriad artists to follow him into the music business.
Feel free to let us know what Syd’s music means to you and, of course, to send him your birthday greetings. Even though it’s now been some 35 years since Syd retired from public life, his music will always live on and continue to move people. Let it move you today.
We leave you with a recent excerpt from Guitar & Bass magazine, which pertains to Syd’s legacy in Pink Floyd:
He recognised Syd Barrett as a genius, even though he had to watch his friend’s stability crumble. Gilmour was invited to the recording session for the band’s second single ‘See Emily Play’, and recalls even then that Syd didn’t recognise him. ‘He looked through you. He wasn’t quite there.’ Since then, he has ensured Syd has benefited from royalties generated by five songs included on the ‘Echoes’ compilation and ‘Astronomy Domine’, performed on the 1994 tour and later released as part of the album ‘Pulse’. (Diamond David, Guitar & Bass magazine, December 2005)
Thank you David … for being a TRUE friend to Roger Barrett… none of really knows the full story– (as is only right)but hear there is no real contact with him and you…i know he will not see this… but if it is true that there is no contact..my wish for YOU,David, is that he actually does contact you one day soon-and in my hopes..i wish for you two to be able to sit and have a proper chat.. like two old friends should be able to… and somehow- i have the feeling-that he wishes it too but it has been so long– he cannot make a first move… i hope he DOES know … who is responsible for helping him all this time… thank you thank you…
Happy Birthday Great Syd!
Best of Birthdays Syd!!! Thanks David for helping keep his memory fresh in all our minds. His genius stands alone, a true visionary. Thanks to the you and the band for your kind and sensitive approach to him and his achievements over the years.
Look forward to seeing you in New York David. Thanks for coming to the states.
Raleigh.
Hello David!
It is incredible that Syd has been such an important part of your music and my life. I have an aunt that is now deceased but had spent the majority of her years in institutions. She was close to Syd’s age. Knowing Syd’s connection to Pink Floyd and absorbing the music most of my life has really helped in the healing of the soul one needs when dealing with a close family member in this situation.
I will never forget sitting in row seven at the “Delicate Sound of Thunder” concert in the mid ’80′s! Eye contact with David as he played and I listened, and tears flowed. That concert is burned into my heart. Funny I was thinking about it so much over the weekend as it was my 15 year old son Ian’s birthday on the 7th. Why is David so much on my mind this weekend? All I did was listen forever to his music. Ian is wearing a Pink Floyd sweatshirt in school today. A gift from Mom for his birthday. He loves your music too.
Peace to you David! Thanks for letting me vent a little.
Janine of Minnesota, USA
very sorry sid for such a belated birthday wish
and would like to thank you so very much for being the influence of so many musicians of today.
you are the inspiration to many a budding guitar player , I myself opened up to the joys of pink floyd at the tender age of six, by my dad Mr A L Turner who would teach me your songs and i would sing happily away into my microphone playing my air guitar! & so now does my daughter who too is six years old and does exactly the same!
cheers syd for the pleasure your legacy left in the world of music and so cheers to the next generation of pink floyd fans!
may your star shine on forever!
best of british to you from jackie turner (33) in Telford England
Dearest Syd,
Happy Birthday (a little late…….).
I wish you joy and contentment forevermore. Love and miss you,
Christy
Shine on, Syd. The world misses you.
A few days late but heartfelt nonetheless:
A Happy 60th Birthday Syd Barrett. In a short amount of time you gave us some of the most thoughtful and imaginative music ever recorded. Of all Syd’s compositions the one that really haunts me is Opel. The verses dealing with the sea and one’s inability to find the one he loves most in life are stark and honest. The middle section where the chords seem to pour out of Syd’s guitar and beg for a proper arrangement is simply beautiful and I think it represents the peak of Syd’s short writing career. Though songs such as The Scarecrow and See Emily Play hold a special place in my heart, Opel is the one that really haunts my soul. Thank you Syd. May your days be peaceful and your gardens be beautiful.
A very Happy Birthday to the great Syd!!!! David,you are definitely also a genius.I can’t thank you and FLOYD enough for keeping Syd alive through your incredible music.To the greatest band of all-time,cheers guys.
I know this is a week late, but I didnt discover this site until today. Happy birthday dearest wonderful Roger (Syd). Your music has so deeply affected my soul. Whenever I listen to you I feel a mix of childlike abandon and a tinge of sadness that we could not experience more of your unique talent. Your words are nothing I have ever experienced before in all my 40 years of listening to music. My husband has always been an avid fan of you and Pink Floyd and until just recently I never realised why. Now he, my 15 and 5 year old daughters plus my self dance around the house singing “Bike” “dominoes” “Octopus” amongst others. Funny enough your music has brought us closer together as a family. For that I thank you. Peace to you wonderful human. I will love you and your music forever! Gina
I’ll be sixty, in four and twenty years from now.
I hope the summers are still the same.
I reckon the world loves you mate.
Thank You.
Just a belated birthday note. While being fifty something, your music has been a gift. Even if taking a drive to the beach or a ride through the twisting roads on the old BMW/rs I live to hear the music. Thanks and happy birthday.
When Pink Floyd formed I was still in my parents projects. When your bandmates dedicated to you “Wish You Were Here” I was just 6. At 11 I found a tape and started to listen to that triumphant album. Now, everytime I listen to it, it’s just like going back home, to someone who loves you.
Syd, because of you, the soundtrack of my life is Pink Floyd.
Happy Birthday Syd.
Cheers…
happy birthday, syd.
whenever i think about you i’m always wondering what you’re doing and thinking at that very moment and hoping that you’re happy. you’re a beautiful person.
pEaCEºº
JMN
Just another thought …i said before -that of course no one knows the true story of whether or not Roger Barrett speaks to David… and it is none of our business.. seeing the birthday photos of him that have surfaced… are very sad indeed.. he looks much much older than his age… and i wonder…David -do you know whether he is ok? it is said that people with schizophrenia(did not ever hear if he was actually diagnosed with that) disorder can improve with age…
do you believe he has improved? so many speak of all the sensational aspects of his life but i am certain he must have gone thru some living hell. it shows…those of us who love him-hate it when it seems the only thing someone knows is the “Acid casualty” mantle. you know he was much more than only that.
but i feel this is going to be a very different year for him.. and i still wish and hope that you and he will be able to sit and speak of what he thinks of it all now… and David -i ask this one favor-because i know -in my heart-there is NO ONE but you who can really communicate this message to him properly…you have the sensitivity to do it..please -if you can -tell him how much he is loved -never forgotten-and that he is much more than only aliving legend .. he has become part of the air we breathe now… and like the trees that grow from fertile soil- he has sent out brances of influence -ALL OVER THE WORLD. new shoots rise up every day. every day-somewhere -there is a new kid who finds out about him.maybe it starts because they love The Floyd…or a curiosity about the myths and stories of this mercurial soul… or as in my case… you hear his music and somepart of it makes you realize…”Hey-i’m not the only one who has felt like this” please David.. if you get the chance -please tell him.He is loved. and you KNOW YOU ARE TOO-I AM CONFIDENT OF THAT. and we hear your heart and soul every time you play your guitar. Bless you and all your family!
After all these years, Syds music still sounds as searingly honest, fresh and original as it must have way back in those heady hazy days.
Thanks David for your continuing support of someone who will always be a constant source of inspiration to me and the rest of the Cosmic Federation.
Im smokin one now for ya Sydney!
X…Will…Quick and the Dead
Though I am late in coming across this, I wish to say to Syd happy 60th and thanks for taking another once-young man to some magical places in his youth. “Fairy stories held me high on clouds of sunlight floating by”. Hope you have contentment.
Happy Birthday, Syd.
I hope the cosmos is treating you well. I just want to express my thanks for Piper and the rest of your work all those years ago. Alas, for me time and familiarity have eroded the impact of Piper’s many magical musical surprises but in my book it remains the best psychedelic album of all time (Primal Scream’s Screamadelica comes a close second). And good on ya, Dave G. You’re a gem.
I am sure David Bowie’s mantle was originally for Syd.. “Often copied, never equalled…. For The Piper RKB
Happy birthday Syd=)
Shine on you crazy diamond…..
Happy birthday Syd, get your guitar and make new album with Dave
a cult icon plagued by fans and memories of 40 years ago!!
syd, you may be more sane than the rest of the world.
Mr. Barret a master songwriter. No one comes close to you. Fortunately Pink Floyd was smart in replacing you with Mr. Gilmour – but yet another master songwriter. Mr. Waters aint got nothing on either of you two! Much love to both!
Roger Keith ‘Syd’ Barrett
if you do even read this or it is shown to you…i send sincere apologies for this late birthday comment. you have inspired many and will always be remembered as are the Beatles. i have learned you have fallen to a mental illness, and i want you to know that you will always be the Syd everyone knows you as. if you do not believe in god…i do not know if i do but it doesnt hurt to pray, i will pray for you and may god be with you and carry you in your times of need. you are one of the few people who have inspired me and truly almost brought tears to my eyes when i heard that such a wonderful person fell to a mental illness. i do wish that you had a great birthday and that you will have many more even greater. i am only 16 years old, turning 17 on may, im young, but i know that you were an idol and icon and that you always will be. i was drawn to write a comment here even if it is just swallowed up by other blogs and never read again due to its lateness on the event, just thought that incase someone that knows you does read this, they will give you my sincerest apologies and wish you the most happy life. i will now probably check my email seeing just in case someone saw this and wrote me back, doubt it will happen anyway. but for what its worth, may god be with you and continue to be with you until the end of days.
-Erick
Happy Birthday Syd! Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun.
May you continue to revel in the glory of your youth, and may you continue to find new meaning and purpose in your life. I have a feeling you will =)
I’m too young to have caught you the first time around, but your legacy lives on. Shine on.
Chad
happy birthday,you painter, you piper, you prisoner, take our wishes and shine!
INTERSTELLAR OVERDRIVE FOREVER!!!
-srini
Good fortunes for future days to Syd. May your mind be calm.
I lost one of my best friends in March, a casualty of early onset schizophrenia, he was 31 and had been battling a frenzied mind for 10 years.
For some, genius has an enormous cost.
Syd is the man! Happy birthday
Happy belated Birthday Syd! Sorry for the delay!
David, thanks for keeping Syd and his music alive. I’m a big fan of both of you.
-Casey Cavallo