The Madcap's Last Laugh. Syd Barrett Dies.

Syd Barrett, 1946 - 2006

From The London Times:

Syd Barrett, the founding member of Pink Floyd, has died aged 60 at his Cambridgeshire home where he became a recluse thirty years ago.

The guitarist, singer and lyricist, founded the band in 1965 and was one of its biggest songwriting talents in its early days.

But his behaviour became erratic during the psychedelic drug haze of the 1960s and he split with the band in 1968. He has since lived reclusively in Cambridge.

A spokeswoman for Pink Floyd said: "He died very peacefully a couple of days ago." It has been reported that he died last Friday from complications related to diabetes.

His brother Alan confirmed his death, saying only: "He died peacefully at home. There will be a private family funeral in the next few days."

You were caught on the crossfire
Of childhood and stardom,
Blown on the steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter,
Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
(Pink Floyd, Shine On You Crazy Diamond (1-5), 1975)