Syd Barrett and David Gilmour’s Collaborations on Pink Floyd Albums

During Pink Floyd's early days, Syd Barrett and David Gilmour played together on several tracks, particularly during the group's formative years. Gilmour's arrival in the band in December 1967 marked a significant shift, occurring shortly before Barrett's decline due to mental health issues.

Notable Collaborations

Let us delve into some of the tracks where Barrett and Gilmour collaborated:

The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)

Primary contributor: Syd Barrett, with David Gilmour providing guitar. Track: A lengthy instrumental piece with contributions from both musicians. Both contributed guitar parts, though Gilmour's are often more prominent.

“Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” from A Saucerful of Secrets (1968)

David Gilmour has confirmed that both he and Syd played guitar on this track. This is notable as it is the only song by Pink Floyd to feature material from all five band members. The guitar parts, while prominent, are often submerged in the mix, making them challenging to discern without careful listening.

Gilmour's guitar part is most clear for about 5-10 seconds at around 1:20 into the track, featuring a heavy wah-wah effect. Syd's contribution can be heard distinctly in the outro, riffing on the melody of the song.

The Dynamics of Their Collaboration

After Barrett's departure in 1968, Gilmour became a key member of Pink Floyd. However, their collaborative efforts are primarily found in the early period. According to various accounts, both Syd Barrett and David Gilmour only appeared together as guitarists on one song on the A Saucerful of Secrets album.

It is believed that Barrett only appeared on about three songs on that album, as his mental state had deteriorated to the point where he could contribute minimally. Gilmour was brought on to shore up the group's musical structure, given Barrett's declining abilities.

This transition might have been seen by other band members, such as Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Rick Wright, as a temporary solution. They might have held out hope that Barrett would overcome his mental health issues at some point, only reluctantly moving on once it became clear that he was not going to do so.

Impact and Shares

While the roles and contributions of Syd Barrett and David Gilmour in Pink Floyd's early years were significant, the shift in dynamics after 1968 marked a transformative period for the band. Gilmour's eventual rise to prominence as the primary guitarist and eventual sole surviving founder of Pink Floyd post-Barnet created a lasting legacy.

Both Barrett and Gilmour's contributions to the albums?and their personal stories continue to be a subject of intrigue and discussion among Pink Floyd fans and music historians alike. Their collaborations, both as songwriters and musicians, played a pivotal role in shaping the early sound of Pink Floyd, even as their individual paths eventually diverged.