I've read many articles stating that this song is a tribute to Syd Barrett, although I read an article where Roger Waters denies the song was written specifically about him. Which is true? What have you guys heard about this song? Is it a tribute to Syd Barrett or are the lyrics pure coincidence? The lyrics to this song seem pretty fitting to what happened in Syd Barrett's life.

It is most definitely about Syd and his impact on the band. Waters and all other PF band members have spoken extensively about this subject, hence the album title "Wish You Were Here". DSOTM as well.

Absolutely it was about him. In fact Floyd has said that while they were recording this album that Syd paid them a very weird visit in the studio from out of nowhere, which made the album even more eerie since it was mainly about him.

Didn't Syd Barrett pass away, I can't find any articles on his death??

i think he died in the 80's but cant be 100% sure

I've never heard of his death. I know that up until at least the early 90's he was still alive and living with his mother in England.



Syd Barrett 7-1-2001

He isn't dead as far as I know. I think we would have heard of it if he had. I recall Roger mentioning something about talking to him or meeting with him at least once in recent memory, but I can't be certain.

Nope. The Madcap lives. Latest photo I could find was from 97

1997

Here's a bunch more

Photos

Actually I just posted a pic from 2001

i might have to listen again but i thought they mentioned in the Wall commentary that he had passed.

How about mentally dead?

Maybe they just smashed his plate in the fireplace...

"you're dead to us..."

I was almost positive that his death was announced on the radio one day. A co-worker asked me about it, but when I looked on-line for info (Rollingstone.com, for example) I didn't find anything.

This is so weird, cuz everytime I read about him or his name is somehow mentioned, I assume that he's dead. I don't think he is though. In a way, I guess, maybe he is.

K

The various Floyd pages I've looked through don't seem to have anything about his having died although the only faq I found was 5 years old.

There was a BBC documentary that was aired a couple of years ago where they all talked about him as if he was still alive. Indeed, Syd was said to have enjoyed the show!

He is, of course, getting on: he is nearly 60 and for at least five years has suffered from diabetes which is likely to affect his vision; especially should he fail to self-medicate.

An artist I reviewed last week thanked him in the liner notes. As far as I could tell, it wasn't old material. I doubt she'd thank a dead guy.

allmusic.com does not list him as having passed

I've got a bike, you can ride it if you like, it's got a basket, a bell that rings and things to make it look good....

Time to lock this one up.