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Erik I · 06-11-2005 02:18 AM

Being a person very interested in the Syd Barrett "case" I would like to say the following.

- It is impossible to say EXACTLY what made Syd flip out. To put it a bit simple, it was probably a combination of genetics (tendency towards mental instability / schizophrenia), drugs, the pressures of fame, and Syd's own artistic ambitions which he felt had to be sacrificed in favor of commercial success.

- Information differs WIDELY regarding the amount of acid Syd did, some speaking of 200 trips in 1967, some of less than 15. So it's really hard to blame it all on the drugs, even though they very certainly played a part in it.

- One might also wonder if Syd, despite his mental state, was not after all in at least some control of what he was doing (read the lyrics to "Jugband Blues" for instance) and sort of "planned" his disappearance from the pop scene. When one thinks of it, he has now turned into a timeless, mythical figure who will stay forever young in the mind of his admirers, while he himself - unlike so many others of that kind - remains alive and well.

- The "Syd will freak out if someone mentions Pink Floyd" thing seems to be a bit exaggerated, actuallyd. Over the last few years Roger Barrett has been known to watch the "Omnibus" documentary on TV, signing 320 copies of the Mick Rock photo book and giving a fan who knocked on his door a signed autograph. So, while he still prefers to be left alone, it also seems that occasionally he can permit himself to at least acknowledge that he was in the band.

In my mind therefor Syd Barrett is in fact 'dead' because there never really was a Syd Barrett (person) only a Syd Barrett (character), invented by Roger Barrett. The 'Syd' character basically got killed off by Roger after the 'Stars' thing when he felt he wanted nothing more to do with the character and all that was attached to him. It also I think now enables him to in his own mind separate himself from the Syd period, a mind game if you like. Mind you the autograph mentioned above was not signed 'Syd' but 'R.K. Barrett'.

So any talk of "Syd/Roger Barrett rejoining Pink Floyd" - forget it, never in a million years. MAYBE if he was completely bankrupt or something, which thank God is not the case. Just leave it be, he has given us some magnificent work.

As for the Floyd getting back together again: Gilmour has said 'no more tours', Mason is on the same track but has said he could imagine a one-time event, or rather, that the show(s) be at some extraordinary location, like at the pyramids. As for a reunion with Roger I feel it is still possible but that time is sort of running up and this will probably have to take place within the next 5 years or so, after that they will probably all call it a day. But at least for the 3 Floyds playing together, I think the chances are still somewhat hopeful.

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Threaded Mode \| Linear Mode will Syd Barret ever recover? - if he does will he rejoin Floyd?
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