ABOUT SYD

The last "stat-of-the-art" coffee-table book is of course a must for who loves to see Syd Barrett's legacy in detail, both as man and artist. Here "artist" means not only musician but also painter, sketcher... and writer of love-letters as well.



Barrett

Russell Beecher and Will Shutes

Contains the largest collection of Syd Barrett related images ever assembled, including hundreds of unseen and rare photographs of Syd and Pink Floyd, Syd's personal love letters and all of Syd's original artworks. The book offers an unprecedented insight into Syd's life.

Authors Russell Beecher and Will Shutes draw on their research to show Syd's work and life, resulting in a comprehensive study of Syd the artist. Includes comments from, and archive interviews with, many of Syd's friends and colleagues including Joe Boyd, Barry Miles, Libby Gausden-Chisman, Nigel Lesmoir-Gordon, Jenny Spires, and many more. Published on Friday 18th March 2011. Available from barrettbook.com.

While the last two biographical works are no less a must-read, also for the complete overview they offer on Syd's music, in a really flowing style. You can't know how Syd became such a great musician if you don't read these books!

Really superb references, full of information, the two below are indispensable books for who search facts and first-hand accounts in chronological order. The latter covers also the whole Pink Floyd story.



A Very Irregular Head

Rob Chapman

Published in May 2010, this biography focuses on Syd's artistic influences and includes many new source interviews.

Published by Faber & Faber.



Lost in the Woods

Julian Palacios

This June 1998 book was fully revised in September 2010, under the new title of 'Dark Globe', and is a detailed look at Barrett's life and music.

Published by Plexus Publishing.



Random Precision

David Parker

A chronological look at Barrett's recording sessions from early Floyd in 1965, to his final solo sessions in 1974, accompanied by interviews with producers and engineers involved in the recordings.

Published by Cherry Red Books.



Echoes

Glenn Povey

In an oversized edition, lavishly illustrated, this book presents all about Pink Floyd's concerts and a biographical account of their careers.

Published by Mind Head Publishing.

Of course, many other important books have benn written. Some of them are shortly overviewed below, then follows a complete list.



Crazy Diamond

Mike Watkinson and Pete Anderson

The first major biography of Syd Barrett was published in 1991, and updated in 2006 with detail on the story behind his later years, his illness, and death.

Published by Omnibus.



Madcap

Tim Willis

From 2002, this aimed to dispel some of the more outlandish myths, and bring balance and reality to Syd's story.

Published by Short Books.



London Live

Tony Bacon

This January 1998 book is long out-of-print, and looks at the live concert scene in the UK capital between the 1950s-70s, with memorabilia and eyewitness accounts.



Saucerful of Secrets

Nicholas Schaffner

Originally published in 1992 (revised March 2003), this heavily detailed book looks at the band's history, with a heavy focus on the early days.

Published by Helter Skelter Publishing.



Crazy Diamond

Mike Watkinson and Pete Anderson

The first major biography of Syd Barrett was published in 1991, and updated in 2006 with detail on the story behind his later years, his illness, and death.

Published by Omnibus.



Madcap

Tim Willis

From 2002, this aimed to dispel some of the more outlandish myths, and bring balance and reality to Syd's story.

Published by Short Books.



London Live

Tony Bacon

This January 1998 book is long out-of-print, and looks at the live concert scene in the UK capital between the 1950s-70s, with memorabilia and eyewitness accounts.



Saucerful of Secrets

Nicholas Schaffner

Originally published in 1992 (revised March 2003), this heavily detailed book looks at the band's history, with a heavy focus on the early days.

Published by Helter Skelter Publishing.