Syd Barrett was the original lead guitarist and a founder member of the group Pink Floyd, and remains one of rock music’s most enduring characters. He was the principle songwriter for the first Pink Floyd album ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’, and composed their 1967 hit single ‘See Emily Play’ before leaving the group in early 1968. He subsequently released two eccentric solo albums (‘The Madcap Laughs’ in 1969 and ‘Barrett’ in 1970) before withdrawing completely from the music business in the mid-1970’s.

Much has been written about his life, but here for the first time are the full details of all of his recording sessions – from his first semi-professional recordings with Pink Floyd in 1965 up to his last abandoned solo recording sessions at Abbey Road in 1974.

The author David Parker was co-editor of the respected Syd Barrett fanzine ‘Chapter 24’, and has spent four years researching and writing the book, which is based principally on information obtained from the official archives at EMI Records and Abbey Road Studios.

The book uses a diary format, and includes exclusive interviews with many of the recording producers and engineers involved, including Peter Jenner, Andrew King, Peter Bown, Alan Parsons and John Leckie. The book also includes rare photographs and illustrations, many previously unpublished.

This is the most comprehensive, accurate and detailed account yet published of the background to the creation of Syd Barrett’s unique musical legacy.