Holy shit: Syd Barrett, 60, dies of cancer

Long-time Pink Floyd collaborator and singer/songwriter Syd Barrett has died of cancer at the age of 60, according to various sources, including the manager of his estate. Although he had not released any albums since 1970's The Madcap Laughs, Barrett's influence as a composer has been felt throughout rock. David Bowie, Wayne Coyne and Malcolm Mooney have all cited Barrett as a huge motivator for their songwriting.

Though often forgotten, Barrett's contribution as a member of Pink Floyd was massive. 1968's Piper at the Gates of Dawn was mainly a Barrett work, and several tracks from Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here (i.e. "Shine on You Crazy Diamond") were written about him -- by his own bandmates. Clearly he had a fucking ridiculous impact.