A tribute show has been announced for maverick Pink Floyd founder and former frontman Syd Barrett, to celebrate what would have been the late genius’s 80th birthday. The event will take place in his home city of Cambridge this October.
Born Roger Keith Barrett on the 6th of January 1946 in Cambridge, Barrett adopted the nickname ‘Syd’ in his teens and formed the group Pink Floyd Sound in 1965, with himself as singer and guitarist, Roger Waters on bass and vocals, Richard Wright on keyboards and Nick Mason as drummer. Changing their name to the simpler Pink Floyd in 1966, Barrett led the group as their chief songwriter, known for the eccentric, psychedelic lyrics and themes he brought to the table. With Barrett, they released debut album ‘Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ in 1967, which spent 14 weeks in the UK Charts, entering at number 6.
Following issues with drugs and his mental health, Barrett’s tenure with Pink Floyd ended shortly after guitarist David Gilmour was brought in to help with his burdens. From there, the writing partnership of Waters and Gilmour turned the band into the biggest progressive rock group of all time – but many still fondly regard the unusual ‘60s psychedelic rock and roll that Barrett created as their finest works. Barrett’s last song written with the group, ‘Jugband Blues’, made it onto their second album ‘A Saucerful of Secrets‘ in 1968.
Following solo releases, Barrett retired from the music industry in the mid ‘70s and became reclusive, developing a love for painting. When Pink Floyd were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, he was included as a member but did not attend the ceremony. On the 7th of July 2006, Syd Barrett passed away from pancreatic cancer.
The tribute event has been planned to celebrate 80 years of one of British music’s most interesting characters, involving a live show at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, where Barrett played his last concert on the 24th of February 1972. Booked for the 10th of October 2026, the live contingent includes Kula Shaker, Soft Machine, Men of the Border, Diana Silveira & The Psychedelic Circus, and Pünk Floyd.
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The tribute’s co-organiser Neil Jones has said “Eighty years after his birth, Syd Barrett’s influence remains as powerful as ever. His music, creativity and unique vision continue to inspire artists and audiences across generations.” Barrett’s sister, Rosemary Breen, commented “Syd would have been so happy and honoured to know his music was still being enjoyed in Cambridge.”
Alongside the performance, further tribute will be paid to Barrett by way of an exhibition exploring the impact of his works, and a special double album, featuring new recordings and previously unreleased tracks. The album has brought together a slew of artists including former Pink Floyd colleagues David Gilmour and Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, as well as Kula Shaker, All About Eve, Mystery Jets and Rosalie Cunningham. All proceeds will be donated to mental health charity, with Breen saying “the family wholeheartedly support these exciting events in aid of mental health charities.”
Tickets for the tribute show at Cambridge Corn Exchange go on sale on Friday the 19th of June.
