RIP: Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd

Legendary original Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett has died. The troubled Pink Floyd co-founder spent his last years in reclusive anonymity. A spokeswoman for the band said Barrett died several days ago, but did not disclose the cause of death.

The surviving members of Pink Floyd - David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters , and Richard Wright - said they were "very upset and sad to learn of Syd Barrett's death. Syd was the guiding light of the early band lineup and leaves a legacy which continues to inspire," they said in a statement.

Barrett suffered from mental instability, greatly exacerbated by his use of LSD. His behaviour grew increasingly erratic, and he left the group in 1968 - five years before the release of Pink Floyd's most popular album, the legendary "Dark Side of the Moon." Barrett was replaced by Gilmour. Pink Floyd recorded the album "Wish You Were Here" as a tribute to their brilliant but deeply troubled troubled bandmate.

We've been discussing Pink in the infamous Why Led Zeppelin Sucks thread.