Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd co-founder, dead at 60

By M&C News Jul 11, 2006, 14:45 GMT

Syd Barrett, one of the musicians who co-founded Pink Floyd, also a recluse who spent his last years living quietly, has died, a spokeswoman for the band said Tuesday. He was 60.
 
According to the AP in London, a spokeswoman - who declined to give her name until the band made an official announcement - said Barrett died several days ago. She did not disclose the cause of death. Barrett had suffered from diabetes for many years.
 
The band Pink Floyd was created in 1965 with Barrett, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright, and Barrett wrote many of the band's early songs. The group's avante garde approach to classic rock made them stars both in London and in the States, with the 1967 album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn mostly all Barrett’s work, who played guitar on the album was a big hit.
 
LSD was to blame for Barrett’s growing affliction of mental instability, his behavior grew increasingly erratic, and he was replaced by David Gilmour in 1968.
 
Barrett released two solo albums, The Madcap Laughs and Barrett but soon disappeared from the music business completely.
 
Quietly living in his hometown of Cambridge, England, he was a familiar figure to the townies there, often seen walking to the corner store.
 
Despite his brief career, Barrett's fragile genius influenced many others such as David Bowie, and Julian Cope. The members of Pink Floyd recorded the album Wish You Were Here as a tribute to their band mate Barrett.
 
The band spokeswoman said a small, private funeral would be held.