Syd's Post Seclusion Life

All discussion related to Roger Keith (Syd) Barrett.
OneEyeMan
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Syd's Post Seclusion Life

Post by OneEyeMan »

Hi all, first post here.
I've recently been getting into Syd's music and life, and am fascinated by both.
Seems to be a lot of misinformation and slanted views of Syd out there.
I see him as a very gentle soul, a true artist, and a tortured being.
Brilliant and sad.
I've read all of the basic stuff about early Floyd, Syd's drug/mental/aversion to success problems and feel that
there are still a lot of unanswered questions about him.
Anyway, one area of his life I'm currently investigating is the period after he "retired" from music.
Is there anything written about his drug use, or lack thereof in his post music life? Did he maintain any friendships or relationships with women, or was he a complete hermit? Was he happy or sad?
Your insights and links for further reading will be most appreciated.
I would love to have known Syd during that magical time in the late 60's.
He could have taught me a lot.
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twcc
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Re: Syd's Post Seclusion Life

Post by twcc »

Welcome aboard
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snifferdog
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Re: Syd's Post Seclusion Life

Post by snifferdog »

Did you read Rob Chapman's "A Very Irregular Head"? There's a chapter if not more in that about Syd's post-Floyd life.
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Re: Syd's Post Seclusion Life

Post by OneEyeMan »

Just got it today.
Gonna tear into it tomorrow.
Thanks.
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snifferdog
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Re: Syd's Post Seclusion Life

Post by snifferdog »

If you read the book from the start, it'll take you a while to get there. There's a lot of reading in it. I doubt what's there about Syd's post-Floyd years will satisfy everyone though. I found it quite sad and poignant myself, especially after learning more about the sort of person he had been before everything went wrong. I also really felt for Syd's family and what they were put through. In many ways it was no different for them than for anybody who has had a loved one suffer significant mental health issues. Just (hopefully) there was more money in the bank for them to help Syd.