40 Years Ago: Syd Barrett Visits Pink Floyd During 'Wish You Were Here' Sessions

[meegbear]

Syd Barrett‘s tortured spirit was already hovering over Pink Floyd‘s ninth studio album, Wish You Were Here – even before he unexpectedly crashed the studio sessions on June 5, 1975.

Both the emotive title track and shimmering, psychedelic epic “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” were inspired by Barrett, the band’s fledgling former frontman, with chief writer Roger Waters meditating on themes of isolation and inward escape. So when the long-absent musician – portly, with distant gaze, shaved head and eyebrows – randomly arrived during a mixing session for “Diamond” on June 5, the coincidence reduced the band to a mixture of shock and depression.

<snip>

Barrett’s fortunes seemed to be changing in 1974, when the rejuvenated songwriter made some formative – but ultimately fruitless – recordings at Abbey Road. But when he crashed the same studio during Floyd’s session less than a year later, he was bloated and mentally foggy – a sad shell of the psychedelic warrior whose warped vision guided Floyd to stardom.

The band was confused by his presence, assuming he had to be a crew member. But when Gilmour eventually identified their former bandmate, Waters broke down in tears. That June day also happened to be Gilmour’s wedding day, so Barrett wandered into the guitarist’s wedding reception at EMI. He left without telling anyone, disappearing as strangely as he’d arrived.

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http://ultimateclassicrock.com/syd-barrett-wish-you-were-here-sessions/

Shine On You Crazy Diamond

[hlthe2b]

1. One of those incredibly poignant stories of Rock Music History that will always stay with me...

So sad...

[onehandle]

2. First time I read that story I had to stop reading.

The mental image of that encounter literally stunned me.

[underpants]

3. The band kept him on as a full member

Saw this on a documentary. Syd was able to afford good assistance and live very comfortably.

[tkmorris]

5. No such thing as comfortable when you are as haunted as he was

[Johonny]

6. Dave always saw that he got his money

He kept playing Syd tunes live and putting his stuff on albums for royalties. He did a good job remastering his solo stuff a few years back too. Syd was an interesting painter, but destroyed most of his canvases because he was paranoid of commercialization of them after his death. Johnny Depp was going to make a movie on him a few years back but it never got done.

None of the four Floyd members agree what was wrong with him. Some in Syd's circle claim nothing was wrong with him but simple depression... they all have interesting stories on him.

[Johonny]

7. Yes

although the wall is semi-autobiographical. There is stuff that happened around Waters, but not exactly all to Waters. But that one scene Water's said was inspired by Syd. The trashing of the hotel room was inspired by Roy Harper...

[randome]

9. It may not be fashionable to say but "Wish You Were Here" is my favorite PF album.

Also the first CD I ever bought.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Everything is a satellite to some other thing.[/center][/font][hr]

[Martin Eden]

10. Roger Waters Said:

Of course, he was very important and the band would never have f—ing started without him because he was writing all the material. It couldn’t have happened without him, but on the other hand, it couldn’t have gone on with him.

Also 40 years ago:
I graduated high school.

First encounter with Pink Floyd, circa 1973:
Dropped acid (first time ever) splitting 4-way windowpane with 3 friends. Went to a triple feature of Marx Brothers movies and never laughed harder in my life. The friend who drove was flying too high, so I drove his car. Never heard Pink Floyd before, and he had Dark Side in his 8 track player.

Listened to Wish You Were Hear just a couple weeks ago. IMO the classic rock of that era (especially Floyd) has never been surpassed.

[Scurrilous]

11. The 8 track of Dark Side!

I remember it switched tracks...click...bzzzzzzzzzz...click...during the guitar solo on 'Money."

[Martin Eden]

12. I think that was the only time I heard it on 8 track

Don't remember where it switched tracks. I bought the LP shortly after and played the heck out of that disc. Had an 8 track player as part of my meager stereo at home, but my music collection was overwhelmingly LP.

It's tough to say which made a more lasting impression while tripping for my first time that night -- hearing Dark Side on the way home or 3 Marx Brothers movies at the Berwyn theater (Chicago suburb) with the scenes melting into each other and time being highly subjective.

[Scurrilous]

13. 8 tracks had the habit of switching tracks at the most inopportune times.

The Dark Side 8 track was a classic example.

My first stereo had an 8 track player built in too, but I played 8 tracks mostly in the car. Cassette players weren't a big thing yet.

I did mushrooms before watching the Pink Floyd playing Umma Gumma in the ruins of Pompeii movie. I remember melting into my seat.

[Mnemosyne]

15. You had to get the matchbook/piece of cardboard jammed in under, or over, the tape just right.

[onethatcares]

18. first time ever

1/2 of a 4 way window pane hit, put the headphnes on and listened to "Echos".

1973 Anchorage AK

This old heart and head of mine would never be the same.

Gaud this is an old thread I'm responding to.

the world certainly has changed but the hippies were right.

[Martin Eden]

19. Echos

I still listen to both sides of Meddle, a fantastic album I was exposed to not long after Dark Side.

[zappaman]

14. A few years ago, a photo surfaced of this encounter...

[seveneyes]

16. And forty years to the day many can not tell a smile from a veil

[Blue_In_AK]

17. Syd Barrett always reminds me of another musician from that era

who burned out too soon, Roky Erickson from the 13th Floor Elevators.