When Did Barrett leave Pink Floyd?

Answer 1

He didn't leave, he was kicked out. The rest of the band found it impossible to continue performing with him, so they stopped picking him up for gigs and eventually decided they would be better off, even without his songwriting abilities.

Answer 2

Syd Barrett possibly suffered from schizophrenia (aggravated by heavy use of LSD). After leaving Pink Floyd, he released a couple of solo albums (The Madcap Laughs & Barrett). He remained in London for a while before returning home to Cambridge (UK), where he lived a quiet (if somewhat reclusive) life before passing away at the age of 60. He enjoyed painting and gardening.

Answer 3

The book "Pink Floyd" by William Ruhlmann (1993) variously refers to Syd Barretts "mental health", "mental stability", "erratic behaviour" and unreliability both on and off stage. Heavy workload was one suggested cause for this and there is a further suggestion that LSD contributed to his problems, but that is later backed away from as an "inadequate explanation" as his behaviour deteriorated. The subject of Syd's mental health and inability to function is referred to repeatedly throughout the book, but no actual disease, affliction or condition is specified. According to the same book, many of Pink Floyds subsequent songs are explicitly about Syd, including "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and the story of the crazed rock star in "The Wall". There are also single lines in many songs that are direct references to Syd. The book wanders about a lot historically, but is definitely worth a read to any genuine Pink Floyd fan, and has a lot of photos of the band and its members at work, rest and play.

Answer 4

Syd Barrett was a very heavy drug user. He left in 1968 because he was essentially going crazy, and becoming too unpredictable to show up and play a concert properly

Answer 5

He left the band in 1968. Everyone should know that.