Syd Barrett‘s innovative and unique approach to creating his sound has influenced many, including David Bowie. Although Bowie was a fan of Barrett’s sound, it seems the Pink Floyd icon wasn’t fond of his music. Speaking to Classic Album Review, music journalist and author Chris Welch argued that Syd Barrett hated David Bowie’s work.
Throughout his relatively short music career with Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett came to the forefront with his ability to come up with extended techniques with an innovative approach to guitar playing. Besides, he was one of those who preferred a British accent in singing. This caught David Bowie’s attention and inspired him, but Syd Barrett didn’t like Bowie’s sound.
“Well, people were saying they worry about him for OD’ing on acid,” said Chris Welch about Syd Barrett. “I suppose that’s what he was doing, which led to him potentially leaving the band. But I spoke to him. He had a great sense of humor. I think a lot of that madness was slightly an act of retrospect. I’m not sure if he wasn’t just sending everybody up or if he really was collapsing mentally. It was an element of both.”
“I did a blind date session with him and played him all the latest records and singles,” recalled Welch. “I played him David Bowie sing, and he hated it. He said, ‘It’s terrible; I hate that!’ He wasn’t happy with that, which surprised me. But no, I liked Syd Barrett. I did an interview with him at a television studio and saw the management and the band peering through the window. And they said, ‘Oh, he’s talking!'”
Besides many other artists who cited Syd Barrett as their inspiration, David Bowie also saw the former Pink Floyd singer as a significant influence. Bowie was an avid fan of Pink Floyd’s Barrett era, and he showed his admiration by covering ‘Arnold Layne’ and ‘See Emily Play.’ However, according to Chris Welch, their feelings weren’t mutual.
