Expert: Ed McKenna - 10/8/2003

Question
I just would like to know what happened to Syd Barret, what is he doing now, and it seems to me that he had a great influence on Roger Waters. Were they like really good friends or something, and are they still good friends? I'm just curious, thanks for your time.

Answer
Willie ,

Syd Barrett or as he's called now "Roger" is doing fine. Unfortuneatly he is starting to loose his eye sight due to his Diabetes . He is still living with his mother in Cambridge. Its been a while since I've heard anything but I believe his mother died a short while back and now he lives alone .

From articles and pictures all I can say is most of his time is spent painting and tending to his Garden . He has had no contact with Floyd since the recording of Shine on your Crazy Diamond.

Roger Waters and Syd Barrett were great friends . You are right Syd had a huge influence on Roger . When writing the Dark Side of the Moon , The Wall and Wish you Were here Roger mainly used the death of his father , his own mental instability and Syd as a backdrop .

David and Roger helped Syd produce his two of his solo albums in the 70's but it was clear his condition was deteriorating . After that time Roger tried to visit Syd but any recollection of Pink Floyd in Syd's mind had been pushed back . It was once said in a interview that any time "pink floyd" was even mentioned to Syd it would put a blank gaze in his eye .

Syd's Mother did tell Roger at one point syd would be best left alone .

Well willie there you go . If you have any more questions then feel free to send me another e-mail . Don't forget to rate my response to you .

---shine---------/\================On=======================

cheers,

Ed McKenna