The late Roger ‘Syd’ Barrett, from Cambridge, was a co-founder of the 1960’s music group Pink Floyd and performed on lead guitar and vocals. He also composed many of their songs. He was responsible for inspiring an entire generation of musicians to develop their own indigenous brand of English rock music. In this year, 2026, Syd would have celebrated his 80th birthday.

Syd was quintessentially English, penning idiosyncratic songs unique in style and tone.  He had a hugely attractive personality and with his good looks he was difficult to ignore. He was a quick-witted clown who kept family and friends laughing at his good-natured cheekiness throughout his younger years. Always interested in experimenting with music, he played the recorder, piano, ukulele, Jew’s harp and guitar all to a good standard.

Latest News

Inside The Artyst

In Cambridge? Visit The Artyst

OtherSyde presents The Artyst: a vibrant new arts space, café, and bar created in honour of Syd Barrett — Cambridge’s own visionary and founding member of Pink Floyd. If this is your first time in Cambridge or if you live near Cambridge…

New to Syd’s YouTube – “Rats”

Syd's family has once more collaborated with @ArtistontheBorder to produce another film in a series of exciting visual interpretations of Syd's songs alive on screen. This time Syd's song Rats goes into the spotlight. The Artist on the Border…

“Octopus” on YouTube

Syd Barrett's single, "Octopus", is now available on the Syd Barrett YouTube channel @SydBarrettOfficial. The story and making of “Octopus” is fairly straightforward. Syd Barrett entered the studio under Peter Jenner’s supervision…

Facebook Feed

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Held on this day in 1967 was the 14 Hour Technicolour Dream at Alexandra Park, London.

The Pink Floyd closed it in the dawn of the 30th April

The event was less a concert and more an immersive happening. Organised by the underground press, including International Times, it brought together a swirling mix of poets, artists, filmmakers and musicians in a continuous, all-night experience.

At the centre of it all were Pink Floyd, led by the enigmatic Syd Barrett. Performing in the early hours, Floyd delivered one of their most legendary sets — a hypnotic fusion of sound, light, and improvisation that perfectly captured Barrett’s playful, surreal vision.

The lineup also included figures like Yoko Ono and Soft Machine, alongside happenings, experimental film loops, and spontaneous performances unfolding in every corner of the vast space.
... See MoreSee Less

Video image

Comment on Facebook

Sehr schön beschrieben 👍

Yes, I was there. Awesome gig!

What an insane time that had to be.

The First Rave

View more comments

Load more