The legendary Syd Barrett passed away on Friday July 7 due to complications from diabetes. Since early in his career, Bowie has cited Syd and his work with Pink Floyd as one of his main influences. Bowie released a statement regarding Syd’s passing saying, “The few times I saw him perform in London at UFO and the Marquee clubs during the 60s will forever be etched in my mind. He was so charismatic and such a startlingly original songwriter. Also, along with Anthony Newley he was the first guy I’d heard to sing pop or rock with a British accent. His impact on my thinking was enormous. A major regret is that I never got to know him. A diamond indeed.” Syd’s biographer Tim Willis concurs with Bowie and states, “I don’t think we would have the David Bowie we have today if it wasn’t for Syd. Bowie was very much a kind of clone of Syd in the early years. His influence is still going.”
For more information on diabetes, please visit the American Diabetes Association, the CDC Diabetes Public Health Resource, or the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kdney Diseases.