Syd Barrett was the former founder and frontman of the band Pink Floyd. Being always interested in music sense, Barrett has been playing guitar from a young age. But after his mental breakdown and deteriorating health by the day, he chose to leave the band. This came as a complete shock for all the fans. There was enough fan base for the band when Barret decided to go it. After he departed from the band, it had no guiding light. Roger Waters stepped up at that moment and became the creative head for all the significant decisions in the round. But this is not to say that Barrett had any less contribution. He was the one who made the band into the initial hit it was.
Pink Floyd released its first debut album and four singles with Barrett as the leading man. The songs and the album were smashing hits and sold a million copies in no time. Syd left the band while planning for their second album. However, Barrett did have a brief solo career even after Pink Floyd. He disappeared from the music scene altogether. Syd was always interested in painting and gardening. He took up these hobbies and became a recluse.
Syd Barrett-Career in Pink Floyd
The band agreed on the name Pink Floyd in 1965. The name was a tribute to two American blues musicians, mainly Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Barrett started the band by reconnecting with one of his friends, Roger waters. The first songs ever recorded by the band as a whole were a cover of the song by the Beatles. After this, the band recorded several of Barrett’s songs before creating their original music.
With time, Barrett’s health started getting more serious. It was reported that he began to have episodes while recording, in interviews, and even at concerts. The deteriorating mental health was impacting the band’s songwriting process, and it was also not working for Barrett anymore. The band finally announced its departure on April 6, 1968. It was reported that he earned a monthly salary of $70 thousand and an annual income of $1 Million while in the band.
Syd Barrett- Later Career and Net Worth
Barrett worked on two solo albums after leaving Pink Floyd. The albums were titled The Madcaps laughter and Barrett, respectively. He didn’t play at many concerts after going solo. He also formed a brief-lived band, Stars with Twink and Jack Mounk. The band played small gigs, mainly in spaces with visiting musicians. In 1988, EMI records released the album Opel, which contains all the unreleased songs by the artist. The songs are very close to all the fans of the late artist.
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He became very reclused in the later years of his life. Becoming irritated when fans or paparazzi tried to click pictures, Barrett moved in with his mother and remained in his house doing painting and gardening. He died of pancreatic cancer on July 7, 2006.
Syd Barrett’s net worth at the time of his death was $5 Million.