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Shine On You Crazy Diamond Forever

The entertainment world has lost yet another member: The singer, guitarist and founder of the legendary Pink Floyd band Syd Barrett has died last Friday at the age of 60. The surviving members of Pink Floyd - Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright, who are some of the biggest names in music entertainment - said in a statement: "Syd was the guiding light of the early band lineup and leaves a legacy which continues to inspire."

Born Roger Keith Barrett on January 6, 1946, he changed his name to Syd at the age of 15. Barrett founded the band in 1965 with Waters, Mason and Wright. The band`s name derives from two American bluesmen, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Many of the early band`s hits were written by him, including the 1967 album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn". He was also behind the band`s first hit singles, and arguably those packed with the most music entertainment, "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play."

Despite the band`s success in the early years, Barrett, who was suffering from mental problems and heavy drug use, started to behave unpredictably, and even had catatonia episodes during concerts. He was fired from the band by other members in 1968 and replaced by David Gilmour, who had joined the band as its fifth member earlier that year. Barrett however, did not leave the entertainment industry, he released two solo albums, "The Madcap Laughs" and "Barrett," both in 1970. Barrett has been a major inspiration to much of British music, including David Bowie, who deeply regrets that he never got to know Barrett personally.