ROGER KEITH BARRETT - Mandrax Casualty by SyddyGurl, literature
Literature
ROGER KEITH BARRETT - Mandrax Casualty
THERE WERE TWO BARRETTS...LITERALLY TWO BARRETTS.
I have written some weird speculative essays concerning the former frontman of Pink Floyd. I proposed a couple of theories concerning the Sydster. Now I'll propose one more...one that should set the "what the heck happened?" mystery to rest, once & for all.
Reading up on the guy, I noticed that he seemed to have turned into a completely different person. I also have seen a lot of debate about LSD & if it could make one have a breakdown or not. Many state that LSD may cause some reactions but that the person can more or less mentally recover. Others state LSD with turn you into a mental case.
Syd's Breakdown - An Essay - Part 1 by SyddyGurl, literature
Literature
Syd's Breakdown - An Essay - Part 1
A Theory Concerning Syd Barrett's Breakdown - Part 1
There have been a number of theories concerning what the heck was going on with Syd Barrett's head. There have been a number of theories blaming Schizophrenia, the LSD, the pressures of fame & feeling stifled. However, no one really could come to a set conclusion. One thing that struck me about Syd's breakdown was how it totally changed his personality, as if he taken over by pod aliens or something. Of course, pod aliens were not involved so one must come to something more realistic.
Pre-breakdown Barrett was, by all accounts, a rather wild, fun, extroverted, showy, pretty party bo
Syd's Breakdown - An Essay - Part 2 by SyddyGurl, literature
Literature
Syd's Breakdown - An Essay - Part 2
First off I want to say that it was not ONE THING that did him in...but a combination of things. Syd most likely had some preexisting condition, likely Asperger's Syndrome or a very mild form of Autism. This would account for his childlike, eccentric persona, odd bouncing walk, bouncing on his tiptoes a lot & being a tiptoe walker. Thus, it's certain that this somehow made him susceptible to some serious psyche damage.
But one would be baffled by these things concerning Syd's breakdown:
1.) Many musicians have problems keeping up with fame & touring but most of them don't break down like Syd did.
2.) Many people are into Acid but n
SYD'S BREAKDOWN - Another Theory. by SyddyGurl, literature
Literature
SYD'S BREAKDOWN - Another Theory.
Cruising a Syd Barrett webpage, I read a tidbit of info from someone called "RokuSyd". Apparently this person is familiar with various varieties of LSD. This person's insight made something click in me.
Soooooo...This essay, unlike the last one, will propose a much simpler theory which is so simple in it's obviousness. It's a theory proposed by most people & it's often derided as some "Anti-Ethnogen Aesop". However, I will tell you why this "all or nothing" attitude shouldn't be so.
Syd most likely did put Brylcreem in his hair on a regular basis. This wasn't just to ta
Syd's Breakdown - An Essay - Part 4 by SyddyGurl, literature
Literature
Syd's Breakdown - An Essay - Part 4
So now, we have a broken man with possible brain damage from a horrid batch of acid & severe rape/shame-induced PTSD.
An interesting aspect of Syd was described by friend/band mate/replacement, David Gilmour who stated this:
"He functions on a totally different plain of logic, and some people will claim, 'Well yeah man he's on a higher cosmic level' - but basically there's something drastically wrong. It wasn't just the drugs - we'd both done acid before the whole Floyd thing - it's just a mental foible which grew out of all proportion. I remember all sorts of strange things happening - at on
Syd's Breakdown - An Essay - Part 3 by SyddyGurl, literature
Literature
Syd's Breakdown - An Essay - Part 3
And now, we come to that "LOST WEEKEND"...that fateful period around July 28, 1967. I believe something had transpired during that weekend that was so traumatic that it damaged his psyche for the rest of his mortal life. Effectively killing the old "Syd". In a way, Mr. Barrett died twice: July 27, 1968 & July 7, 2006. July is not a good month for this guy, apparently. Fitting that both deaths occur around the same time of year.
In 1967, Syd lived with a bunch of other LSD enthusiasts, among them some possible psychopaths. There are tales of constant "Acid-Spiking". It's possible this contribute