Dig It! Magazine

‘I don’t think I’m very easy to talk about. I’ve got a very irregular head, and I’m not anything that you think I am anyway.’

Syd Barrett, an absolute icon with a cult following to this day has made an incredible impact on not only fans but many great musicians such as David Bowie, Pete Townshend and even Marc Bolan!

Almost everyone who is into rock music can consider Syd Barrett as some kind of inspiration.

His story is mysterious, captivating and almost hauntingly exciting: What happened to him? Was he just a mad genius?

Roger Keith ‘Syd’ Barrett was an english singer, painter, songwriter and the co-founder of the legendary band called Pink Floyd.

Syd Barrett, a pioneer in psychedelia was a fundamental part of the British (then) underground pop scene. Known for his music, witty humor, great fashion sense and ability to make everyone laugh (according to books, I’ve never actually met him). Syd soon gained the pop star status with the early Pink Floyd during their UFO club days in London.

He wrote hits like See Emily Play, Apples and Oranges and most of the songs on Pink Floyd’s first album Piper At The Gates Of Dawn which is just phenomenal. I strongly advise you to listen to Interstellar Overdrive twice.

His way of writing was unique with a child-like approach to things, finding beauty in many areas in life.

Whether you are listening to his songs or observing his paintings, most of them have the ability to bring you back to a wonderful childhood memory as they leave you with a certain feeling of wondering what’s next? His work and his story is interesting to dive into.

His first solo album, The Madcap Laughs released in 1970, shows the raw and very personal side of Syd, due to the engineering being rushed but having access to almost umlimited studio time, you can hear him talk in between songs and flip the pages, but leaving these in gives the listener a more personal listening experience because it is almost like you’re there witnessing the recording process.

The Madcap Laughs is something I consider an all time classic. With songs like Terrapin, Here I Go and Golden Hair, it is a great combination of many emotions.

Syd went on to make one more album, titled Barrett released in 1970 with a stunning cover made by himself. This is the second and final album made by the former frontman.

There are many theories surrounding his state after he left Pink Floyd that we all know about, people trying to work out what really happened to him, but my point with this article isn’t to diagnose nor feed your mind with probably false informations, but to celebrate his work and preserve what he left behind.

Recently a whole new documentary was just released this year titled Have You Got It Yet? that explores the story of Syd and his personal life, including clips of friends such as the late great photographer Mick Rock as well as past girlfriends and family members. It is a great way to remember him as we don’t really know much about his life after he left Pink Floyd and finished his solo albums. Watch it if you can.

As sad as it can get, we may never know the true reason of him disappearing from music and the public altogether, but while he was there, he turned everything upside down and people still dig it!

Want to share your experience? You had a chance to meet any of the people mentioned in the article? TELL ME MORE! email me at: submit.dig.it.magazine@gmail.com if you’d like to be featured in the upcoming article(s)! I sadly do NOT own any of the pictures seen in the article.