The Post-Pink Floyd Life of Syd Barrett: His Solo Career and Late Years

Syd Barrett, co-founder and guitarist of the iconic rock band Pink Floyd, had a tumultuous life after leaving the band in 1968. His journey post-Pink Floyd is marked by both artistic pursuits and personal challenges that would shape the rest of his life.

Post-Pink Floyd: Solo Career Beginnings

Syd Barrett began his solo career following his departure from Pink Floyd. In 1970, he released two albums: The Madcap Laughs and Barrett. These releases marked his initial attempts to chart anew on his own terms, creating music that aligned closely with his psychedelic and artistic inclinations. Despite the initial promise, subsequent releases such as Syd Barrett in 1974 and Opel in 1988 were less successful, reflecting both financial and creative challenges he faced.

Financial Troubles and Further Albums

Thanks to the royalties he received from Pink Floyd, Barrett had a relatively stable financial situation in the early years of his solo career. However, as time passed, he struggled to manage his finances effectively. By the late 1970s, he was reportedly running out of money. He resided in the Chelsea Cloisters from 1974 to around 1979/1980, where he often had guitars, TVs, and other expensive items delivered, only to give them away eventually. This behavior was indicative of his financial mismanagement.

Bankruptcy and Later Years

Barrett's sister, Rosemary, provided insight into his financial struggles and subsequent bankruptcy. His sister recounted that Barrett had a significant portion of the royalties from Pink Floyd, but they were insufficient to cover his expenses. As a result, he fell behind on his rent at the Chelsea Cloisters. When he moved back to Cambridge, his financial situation did not improve, leading to his bankruptcy.

Around the late 1970s and early 1980s, Barrett was managing his health issues, including stomach ulcers and type 2 diabetes. In the 1980s, when a journalist spoke with him, he had brought with him items from the Chelsea Cloisters. This suggested that he left without informing others, likely due to his deteriorating health and financial situation.

Personal Life and Health Issues

Living mostly in isolation, Barrett spent his time in the garden, engaged in various odd hobbies such as carpentry and painting. He would burn his paintings and wrote on what he referred to as a book on the history of art. Despite his artistic pursuits, he did not listen to much music, reflecting the psychological impact of his experiences with psychedelic substances and subsequent mental health struggles.

Barrett's personal life was marked by more than just financial difficulties. His sister described him as very miserable, and his erratic behavior with property and possessions indicated a deeply troubled mental state. The lack of social skills and the ability to care for himself contributed to his challenging life circumstances.

Legacy and Rememberance

While Barrett's music from Pink Floyd remains iconic, his solo career and later life are a testament to the joys and challenges of artistic creation and the struggles that many artists face. Despite his inability to sustain a stable financial and creative life post-Pink Floyd, Barrett's legacy remains an essential part of the history of 1960s rock music.

Keyword: Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd, Solo Musician, Artistic Struggles, Late Life