Syd Barrett RIP

Syd Barrett has passed on to the great gig in the sky.....he was 60.

For those of you who only know Syd's work through rock myths, here are some points of interest. Syd was essentially the founder of Pink Floyd, and his work on Piper at the Gates of Dawn, PF's first album is still amazing in its psychedelic majesty and genuine weirdness. "Astronony Domine", in particular, provides the archetypical template for many of Floyd's early, pre-"Dark Side of the Moon" works. For those of you who only know the bloated Floyd of 70's excesses and endless reunion tours, checking out their first album with Syd is a revelation. Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here is essentially a tribute to Syd's madness, genius, and eventual breakdown. Yes, breakdown, as Syd was one of the first 'acid casualties' of the psychedelic generation. "Maybe you had too much too fast..." as the Grateful Dead used to sing.....Indeed.
Well, do yourself a favor and check out Floyd's first record.....
here are some of Syd's lyrics from that LP:

Lucifer Sam
Lucifer sam, siam cat.
Always sitting by your side
Always by your side.
That cats something I cant explain.
Ginger, ginger, jennifer gentle youre a witch.
Youre the left side
Hes the right side.
Oh, no!
That cats something I cant explain.
Lucifer go to sea.
Be a hip cat, be a ships cat.
Somewhere, anywhere.
That cats something I cant explain.
At night prowling sifting sand.
Hiding around on the ground.
Hell be found when youre around.
That cats something I cant explain.

Bike
Ive got a bike. you can ride it if you like.
Its got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good.
Id give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.
Youre the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
Ill give you anything, evrything if you want things.
Ive got a cloak. its a bit of a joke.
Theres a tear up the front. its red and black.
Ive had it for months.
If you think it could look good, then I guess it should.
Youre the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
Ill give you anything, evrything if you want things.
I know a mouse, and he hasnt got a house.
I dont know why. I call him gerald.
Hes getting rather old, but hes a good mouse.
Youre the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
Ill give you anything, evrything if you want things.
Ive got a clan of gingerbread men.
Here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men.
Take a couple if you wish. theyre on the dish.
Youre the kind of girl that fits in with my world.
Ill give you anything, evrything if you want things.
I know a room of musical tunes.
Some rhyme, some ching. most of them are clockwork.
Lets go into the other room and make them work.

As you can tell, Syd was a genius....alright, have a pint for Syd today......cheers.