The founding lead singer of Pink Floyd Syd Barrett has died at his Cambridge home from diabetes. He was 60.
Despite only recording one album with Pink Floyd and a handful of solo releases following his departure from the group, his influence on pop music is generally acknowledged to enormous.
Barret had not released any new material since 1972 and since his departure from public life led a quiet and reclusive existence in Cambridge. Through time, he has become a celebrated but tragic figure, reknowned as much for his reputation as one of the first drug-casualties as for his music.
So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell,
blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found? The same old fears.
Wish you were here.