Some words by David Bowie about Syd Barrett:
Float on a river for ever and ever...
It is with much sadness that we report the death of Syd Barrett who passed away on Friday of a diabetes-related illness at the age of 60.
Barrett co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 with Roger Waters and wrote many of the band's early songs, including their first ever single, Arnold Layne, which DB performed with Dave Gilmour at the Royal Albert Hall last month. (05.30.2006 NEWS: DB SURPRISE GUEST AT LONDON GILMOUR GIG) Bowie also recorded a remarkable version of their second single, See Emily Play, for his 1973 covers album, Pin Ups.
Bowie's love of Syd and his music was made obvious over the years during many interviews, and not least of all in this brief tribute from David which we've just received...
"I can't tell you how sad I feel. Syd was a major inspiration for me. The few times I saw him perform in London at UFO and the Marquee clubs during the sixties will forever be etched in my mind. He was so charismatic and such a startlingly original songwriter.
Also, along with Anthony Newley, he was the first guy I'd heard to sing pop or rock with a British accent. His impact on my thinking was enormous. A major regret is that I never got to know him. A diamond indeed." - David Bowie, July 11th 2006
G'night Syd...thanks for pushing things forward and giving others the courage to tread where they might not have otherwise.
http://www.davidbowie.com/news/index.php?id=20060711
