Crescendo

Original songwriter and front man Syd Barrett’s swift deterioration is chronicled here, as is his unceremonious ejection from the group. His replacement, childhood friend David Gilmour, was originally brought in to augment the more and more erratic Barrett. Eventually, the band simply neglected to pick him up for a gig, preferring not to have to endure his increasing lack of functionality. His surprising reappearance during the sessions for the Wish You Were Here LP, all the more disconcerting as the lyrics on this album were largely inspired by Barrett, is also detailed. This story has been told before but never accompanied with a photo of Barrett taken during those very events. Barrett is perhaps the best known and earliest acid casualty.

right: author Nick Mason

		INSIDE OUT A Personal History Of Pink Floyd By Nick Mason Published by Chronicle Books Review by Ritchie Champagne

Original songwriter and front man Syd Barrett’s swift deterioration is chronicled here, as is his unceremonious ejection from the group. His replacement, childhood friend David Gilmour, was originally brought in to augment the more and more erratic Barrett. Eventually, the band simply neglected to pick him up for a gig, preferring not to have to endure his increasing lack of functionality. His surprising reappearance during the sessions for the Wish You Were Here LP, all the more disconcerting as the lyrics on this album were largely inspired by Barrett, is also detailed. This story has been told before but never accompanied with a photo of Barrett taken during those very events. Barrett is perhaps the best known and earliest acid casualty. right: author Nick Mason