Syd Barrett Exhibition/Lauch of new Barrett book

lady_barrett2112

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For any of you Syd fanatics that didn't know, there is an exhibition on his life and his art going on right now until April 10th.

Syd Barrett Art Exhibition in London 2011

The reason for this exhibition is to also promote the release of the book titled Barrett: The Definitive Visual Companion to the Life of Syd Barrett.

Barrett: The definitive visual companion to the life of Syd Barrett

This book contains many photographs of Syd and early Pink Floyd that have never been seen until now! Not only that but it contains samples of Syd's paintings as well as illustrations and letters he sent to girlfriends Libby Gausden Chisman and Jenny Spiers.

This book is endorsed by Syd's family and to my understanding, all the proceeds will go to Syd's estate. His estate supports an organization that encourages artistic talent in the mentally ill.

I have been fangirling like crazy over this book since it's been announced. Plus I really wish I was in London right now. To those here that reside in the UK, curse you you lucky bastards! :hp::wa:heheh:
 

snakes&ladders

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We need a book on poor Syd.....I've seen 2 much Syd bashing of the type Syd was totally mad, etc. that it's NOT funny anymore.....thanx for the cool heads up:):)
 

LG

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^^If you are an adult you pay the price for your actions, no one forced Syd to make bad lifestyle decisions and he had to live with the consequences one of which was his descent into madness.

Still I wish you were able to take in the show LadyB, I know you are a mega Syd fan.:grinthumb
 

lady_barrett2112

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I know exactly where S&L is coming from. Syd has gotten such a negative portrayal in the media it sickens me. Yes he had some mental issues but don't we all? I think I clearly made my point about Syd's condition in my article on him. It's about time that the man was recognized for being an talented person musically and artistically as opposed to having his psyche dissected into little pieces.

Thanks Grendel! I wish I could have been there. Maybe I should have started a "Get LadyB to the Syd Barrett Exhibition," fund. :heheh::heheh::heheh:
 

LG

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I felt sorry for Syd, he reminds me of Brian Jones who also had a lot of hang ups before he experimented with all kinds of powerful drugs, and it sucked the life out of him too.

I like post Syd Floyd more myself, but I do think Piper... is a fine record.

I'll pop $20 in a "Send LadyB to London Fund"...:grinthumb
 

Dual

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I think it was sad what happened to him but I guess you can say he only had himself to blame, he took the drugs etc.

I find it strange how he became a recluse, just an average joe guy who shunned his former life, well, obviously he had issues with mental illness, but he was revered as an influential musician by many and was hounded by people wanting to get him to speak about his old life and he just wasn't interested. I suppose you could say the way he shunned his former life added to his status as a 60's/psychedelic legend.
 

LG

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^^Didn't know that part of his story Dual, I just assumed he was in a care facility after he left the band.
 

Dual

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^^Didn't know that part of his story Dual, I just assumed he was in a care facility after he left the band.

Nah, he went back to live in Cambridge apparently, basically just went about a 'normal' life, he started painting and gardening. He went back to his original name though 'Roger Barrett', and wanted nothing to do with 'Syd Barrett'. His family apparently issued 'public appeals' asking people to leave him alone as people continued to try and find him and talk to him about his musician days I presume.
 

LG

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That is actually a good outcome all things considered. For some reason I just always thought he was permanently changed by his LSD trips, I know for a fact it had a lot to do with him being asked to leave the band originally.
 

Dual

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Yeah, well, I don't think he was 100% there with regards to his mental state but as you say, all things considered at least he had a life. Also, he always got his royalties from the Pink Floyd material, apparently David Gilmour made sure the money reached him.
 

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