Roger Keith "Syd" Barrett, a founding member of British rock band Pink Floyd, has died from symptoms related to diabetes, a spokesman for the band said Tuesday.
Barrett, who was 60, died on July 7 at his home in Cambridgeshire, England, Doug Wright said in a phone interview. "The other members of the band will be giving their own statements shortly," he added.
Barrett, better known by his nickname "Syd," left Pink Floyd in 1968 just before the band achieved worldwide success. Having founded the band with friend Roger Waters in 1965, Barrett embarked on a solo career instead.
Pink Floyd's former lead singer released two albums, "The Madcap Laughs" and "Barrett," after he had left the band. He retreated to his late mother's home, where he lived as a recluse until his death, indulging his passion for painting and gardening.
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His departure from the band was prompted by a well-publicized breakdown that had been triggered by his use of the psychedelic drug LSD.
Pink Floyd's hit "Wish You Were Here" is widely regarded as a dedication to Barrett. Waters also wrote "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" for his friend after he had left the band.
Pink Floyd's most famous album, "The Dark Side of the Moon," has been in the Billboard 200 chart longer than any album in history, according to the magazine's Web site. It has lasted 1,500 weeks, twice as long as the nearest album, "Legend" by Bob Marley and the Wailers.
After the success of "The Dark Side of the Moon," EMI Group Plc reissued Floyd albums "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" and "A Saucerful of Secrets," both of which Barrett had helped to produce, in a bid to increase his profile. Both achieved successful sales and the music publisher then compiled the album "Syd Barrett" to meet demand.
Barrett left the band after several incidents in which his experimentation with LSD had left him unable to perform on stage, often strumming on one chord or even detuning his guitar instead.
Barrett is believed to have named the band after two blues musicians, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. His record collection included their music.