11/07/2006

Founding Pink Floyd guitarist dies aged 60

Syd Barrett, one of the founding members of British rock group Pink Floyd, has died aged 60, a spokesperson for the band has today revealed.

Syd Barrett, met band members Dave Gilmour and Roger Waters, in school in Cambridge, and formed Pink Floyd in 1965.

Barrett was regarded as one of the most highly acclaimed songwriters at the time.

However, three years later, after only one album with the group, and just as Pink Floyd were about to achieve worldwide success, the guitarist left after his behaviour became severely affected by his excessive drug habit.

After leaving the band in 1968, he lived a reclusive lifestyle in his hometown of Cambridge.

After his departure, the other band members recorded a tribute to him, Shine On You Crazy Diamond.

The spokesperson for Pink Floyd said: "He died very peacefully a couple of days ago. There will be a private family funeral."

(EF/SP)

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