Died On This Date (July 7, 2006) Syd Barrett / Pink Floyd

Roger “Syd” Barrett
January 6, 1946 – July 7, 2006

Syd Barrett was, most famously, a founding member and singer of Pink Floyd. Though only active in music for about seven years and heard on just two Pink Floyd albums, Barrett left an indelible mark on rock music and influenced countless followers. Even such contemporaries as Pete Townshend, Paul McCartney, Marc Bolan and David Bowie have acknowledged much respect for his work. Post-Barrett Pink Floyd albums, Wish You Were Here and Dark Side Of The Moon paid tribute to the man. Barrett left Pink Floyd in 1968 for what many believe was mental illness (perhaps schizophrenia) worsened by heavy drug use. After two solo albums, Barrett retired to a quiet and mostly secluded life of painting and gardening. In fact many were surprised to learn that was still alive when his passing was announced in 2006. Syd Barrett died of pancreatic cancer on July 7, 2006.

What You Should Own

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The Piper At the Gates of Dawn (40th Anniversary Complete Edition) - Pink Floyd

Died On This Date (April 17, 2009) Sable Starr / 1970s Super Fan and Scenester

Sable Starr (Born Sable Shields)
1958 – April 17, 2009

sable-starrFollowing in the tradition of Miss Pamela, Sweet Sweet Connie and Cynthia Plaster Caster, Sable Starr loved rock music and at times the rock musicians that moved her.  She ruled ’70s Los Angeles and no doubt left many a-broken heart in her wake.  Some may refer to her as a “groupie” but Starr transcended that by being part of a select club who have been memorialized in song.  Iggy Pop’s “Look Away,” written about Johnny Thunders’ relationship with Starr includes the lines, “I slept with Sable when she was 13 / Her parents were too rich to do anything / She rocked her way around L.A. / ‘Til a New York doll carried her away / Look away Look away.”  By the time Sable was in her early teens, she was holding court in Hollywood’s hippest spots, from Rodney Bingenheimer’s English Disco to the Whiskey a Go-Go; from the Rainbow to the Sunset Hyatt.  She befriended the likes of Iggy Pop, Marc Bolan, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, David Bowie and Johnny Thunders with whom she moved to New York around 1973.  What she thought was to be a long life with Thunders quickly fell apart mostly due to his escalating drug use.  Their  relationship ended with her slitting her wrist and being brought to Bellevue.  She was soon living back with her parents in Los Angeles.  She eventually dropped out of the scene, went back to school and lived a mostly “normal” life.  In later years, Starr moved to Las Vegas and worked as a dealer at a casino.  She died of cancer on April 17, 2009 at the age of 51.



Died On This Date (October 27, 1980) Steve Peregrin Took / T-Rex

Steve Peregrin Took (Born Stephen Porter)
July 28, 1949 – October 27, 1980

Steve Took is best remembered as the original drummer in Marc Bolan’s rock band, T. Rex.  After answering an ad in a 1967 London newspaper, Took met Bolan and together, they formed T. Rex as a duo.  While Bolan sang and played guitars, Took played bass and percussion.   The band built a strong cult following in and around the UK after releasing three albums in the late ’60s.  Famed UK disc jockey, John Peel helped them land a record deal.  Unfortunately, Took’s excessive drug use and abnormal behavior lead to Bolan releasing him from the band after their first U.S. tour in 1971.   Took began playing with a band called the Pink Fairies, while Bolan and his band’s fame took off.    He also worked as a solo artist for a couple of years before his death.  Steve Peregrin Took, 31, died after a night of drug use.  Official reports indicate that he died from choking on a cocktail cherry, though some believe drugs played a part.



Died On This Date (September 16, 1977) Marc Bolan / T. Rex

Marc Bolan (Born Mark Feld)
September 30, 1947 – September 16, 1977

Marc Bolan was a British rock singer songwriter and musician who, with his band T. Rex was one of the foundations of the glam rock movement that followed.  Bolan formed his first band when he was barely into his teens, and by 17, he was making a go of it along the British folk circuit.  In 1967, he joined a mod band called John’s Children who achieved moderate success throughout the UK.  Later that year, he left the group and joined forces with Steve Peregrin Took to form T. Rex.  With albums like T. Rex and The Slider, sparking the early ’70s glam movement that would directly influence rock bands from the New York Dolls to Gun ‘n Roses and beyond.  Songs like “Bang A Gong (Get It On),” “Jeepster,” and “20th Century Boy” would become signature songs of the era.  On September 16, 1977, the 29-year-old Marc Bolan was killed instantly when the car in which he was a passenger spun out of control and struck a tree.

What You Should Own

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Electric Warrior (Remastered) - T. Rex