Psychedelic Renegades: Photos of Syd Barrett and Mick Rock

Psychedelic Renegades is a new blog featuring the stunning photography of Syd Barrett and Mick Rock. These two artists captured the spirit of the psychedelic era like no one else, and their work is truly timeless.

Psychedelic Renegades: Photos of Syd Barrett and Mick Rock

Since the release of Pink Floyd’s The Piper at the Gates of Dawn in 1967, Syd Barrett has been one of rock’s most enigmatic figures. A founding member of the band, Barrett was the creative force behind such psychedelic classics as “See Emily Play” and “Bike” before his erratic behavior and mental health issues led to his departure from the group in 1968.

Syd Barrett and Mick Rock’s early years

In the early years of their careers, Syd Barrett and Mick Rock were two of the most promising young musicians in the world. They were both talented singers and songwriters, and they both had a passion for making music that was experimental and wild.

However, by the time they were in their early 20s, both Barrett and Rock had begun to experience problems with mental health. Barrett became increasingly paranoid and reclusive, and he eventually stopped making music altogether. Rock continued to make music, but his mental health problems led him to develop a drug addiction that would eventually kill him.

Despite their different paths in life, Barrett and Rock shared a deep bond that was evident in the photographs they took of each other. These photos show two young men who were clearly deeply connected to each other, even as they struggled with their inner demons.

Syd Barrett’s time with Pink Floyd

Syd Barrett’s time with Pink Floyd was relatively short, but it was during this period that the band released their first two albums, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn and A Saucerful of Secrets. Barrett wrote most of the material for The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, including the iconic “Lucifer Sam” and “See Emily Play”. His input on A Saucerful of Secrets was more limited, as his mental health was beginning to decline by that point. By 1968, Barrett had left Pink Floyd and was replaced by David Gilmour.

Mick Rock’s photography career

Mick Rock is a British photographer who is best known for his iconic shots of Syd Barrett, the lead singer of the band Pink Floyd. Rock met Barrett in 1966, when he was just starting out as a photographer. He was immediately struck by Barrett’s odd charisma and uniqueness, and the two became friends.

Rock began photographing Barrett extensively, both in Pink Floyd and in his solo career. He also photographed other members of the band, including Roger Waters and David Gilmour.

In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Rock has also photographed many other musicians, including Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Queen, David Bowie, and Blondie. He is currently based in New York City.

Psychedelic Renegades: Photos of Syd Barrett and Mick Rock

These are the first official photographs of Syd Barrett and Mick Rock, two figures who were at the forefront of the British music scene in the 1960s and 1970s. These photographs were taken during a time when the two men were working together on Barrett’s solo album, The Madcap Laughs.

Syd Barrett’s post-Pink Floyd years

Between 1968 and 1972, Syd Barrett withdrew from the public eye, living a reclusive lifestyle in his mother’s Cambridge home and only occasionally surfacing to play gigs with friends. His mental health deteriorated during this period – he was diagnosed as schizophrenic in November 1970 – and he became increasingly unfocused and unpredictable. His songwriting also became more abstract; as his health declined, he found it harder to communicate his ideas to bandmates and producers.

Mick Rock’s work with David Bowie

Mick Rock is best known for his work with David Bowie during the glam rock era of the early 1970s, particularly his iconic photos of Bowie as Ziggy Stardust. He has also photographed Lou Reed, Syd Barrett, Iggy Pop, Queen, and many other musicians.

Rock’s photos of Barrett, the founding member of Pink Floyd who was ousted from the band due to his mental health issues, are some of the most famous images of the musician. Rock met Barrett in 1972 and they quickly became friends. He would often visit Barrett at his home in Cambridge, England, and the two would go on walks around the city. Barrett died in 2006 at the age of 60.

Rock’s work with Bowie began in 1972 when he was commissioned to shoot photos for a possible album cover. The project never came to fruition, but Rock continued to shoot Bowie over the next few years. He captured many of Bowie’s most famous looks, including his Aladdin Sane persona and the Ziggy Stardust character.

Psychedelic Renegades: Photos of Syd Barrett and Mick Rock

Psychedelic Renegades: Photos of Syd Barrett and Mick Rock is a photo book about the psychedelic music scene of the 1960s. The book includes photos of Syd Barrett, the founder of the band Pink Floyd, and Mick Rock, the photographer who documented the scene.

Syd Barrett’s final years

Syd Barrett’s final years were marked by mental illness and drug abuse. He gradually withdrew from the music industry and public life, and retreated to his home in Cambridge. In interviews, friends and family described him as a recluse. Barrett died on 7 June 2006, aged 60, from pancreatic cancer.

Mick Rock’s later years and career

Mick Rock’s later years and career were just as creative and controversial as his earlier work with Syd Barrett. In the early 1970s, Rock began photographing some of the biggest names in rock music, including David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Lou Reed. He also contributed to the design of album covers for artists like Pink Floyd and Queen.

In the 1980s, Rock’s career took a turn when he became addicted to drugs. He struggled with addiction for many years, but he eventually recovered and went on to write a book about his experiences. He also continued to take pictures of musicians, including Nirvana and Oasis.

Even though Mick Rock’s life has been filled with ups and downs, he is still considered one of the most important photographers in rock history. His photos have helped define the look of some of the most iconic album covers of all time, and his work continues to inspire new generations of photographers.