Farewell, Syd Barrett (1946-2006)

The Bijou Theater here in Eugene, Oregon, recently featured a documentary about Syd Barrett, the founder member of Pink Floyd who died of diabetes earlier this year (2006) at the age of 60. Barrett's descent into drug-fueled madness, following the startling promise that he'd demonstrated during the first few years of Pink Floyd's existence, has become one of the great tragedies of rock'n'roll. There was much speculation and hope amongst fans over the years that the Madcap or Piper, as he was variously referred to, would rally his reason and creative faculties and make a triumphant comeback. It's doubtful that such a feat could have ever been possible, though; and now, sadly, it can never be.

It would be hard to find an artist working in any medium who had less respect for convention or willingness to compromise artistic vision than Syd did. He simply would not bend a knee to the expectations of the music industry at all. His masterpiece - Pink Floyd's debut album, "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" - exhibits the kind of playful whimsy that one associates with a child whose mind has not yet come under the influence of the world and its ways. The record stands today as one of the most innovative and original ever made. Indeed, the remaining members of Pink Floyd who carried on in the wake of Syd's collapse were to build a career for themselves, at least in the early years, by imitating and elaborating upon the Piper's vision. There are many stalwart Barrett enthusiasts who insist that this second incarnation of Pink Floyd was never able to recapture the magic and excitement evoked by that first album.