It was announced today that Syd Barrett, the founding member of Pink Floyd, died sometime last week. Syd was one of the most influential guitarists of his time, with many of the biggest stars, including Bowie and Townshend, citing him as a major influence on their work. But drug use and mental illness claimed him early on and he remained a great mystery of the rock era, a virtual recluse, much like Mark McGwire after Congress.
There are endless stories of how Syd, near the end of his time with Pink Floyd, would go on stage and be catatonic or strum a few notes here and there. Gilmour was hired into the band for distraction purposes and eventually they dropped Syd from the band. The last time the band saw him was in 1975, the first time in five years at that point, for crying out loud. Nobody recognized him, as he had gained weight and shaved his head. Eerily, the band was recording "Wish You Were Here" at that time and he just showed up, never to re-enter their lives, as far as I know.
But I get a sense the band still looked out for him. He got his royalties while living at his Mom's house, and Roger Waters gave a shoutout to Syd at last year's Live 8, and has a tribute to him during his present tour during "Shine On, You Crazy Diamond", where he unveils a huge poster of Syd.
At least we got to see his genius for a little while. For Syd.
Meal of Links
Today is the 25th anniversary of the Big Gulp. Can we trace health stats back to this epic achievement? Is this when America decided that portions be damned and bladders need to be expanded and limit-tested? To mark the occasion, you get 25% more Gulp for free. That still does not beat the keg-sized drinks at the movies, though.
Just when you thought the world was safe. "Anerican Idol" auditions!
Sing Along With Elvis
Yep, it's "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" with lyrics to follow along. At the time, "Get Happy" was universally panned, but I've always kinda liked that album and I like this song very much. Plus, you get the band in some videos that seemed to have a budget of about $25. The budget for this one I think went mostly for the fish and chips. Also, the Attractions are performing some of the worst choreography ever and Elvis seems to be channeling Swifty Lazar and Madness simultaneously. I mean, who can't dance like that? Definitely not to be confused with the Temptations.
Exercise Yard
The Good: Andy Marte won the AAA All-Star Home Run Derby.
The Bad: He won't get called up the Indians for at least 2 more weeks.
The Ugly: He uses "Chacarron Macarron" by El Mudo as his intro music.
Visitor
63 Across: Actress Thurman (3 letters) Answer: Uma
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
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3 comments:
You can call me Mr. Negative all you want (you know who you are ) but who said to watch the sky start to fall after LeBron signs a 3year instead of a 5 year extension.Once again free agency will rear its ugly head and take one of our own .Please shed no tears when it happens.-----JMK
Just call ME Mr. Positive!! Just like Belle, Ramirez, Thome and others who left us, I'm positive that if we don't act first we'll get screwed again. Just think what might have been if we traded these guys for players and prospects. We do need LeBron, but we need him to be honest about his intentions. If he's gonna leave, we need to get something in return. We continue to hope these guys will favor us and we get screwed every time. UH OH... I'm positively negative, aren't I??? PFS
You guys should stop worrying about LeBron and just sit back and chug down a Big Gulp. I was shocked to hear it had been 25 years since they created the marketing masterpiece. I have to admit that I used to work at 7-11 and remember a time before Big Gulps and Super Big Gulps. I used to be able to drink the Mountain Dew all day long and never have to take a break to peen didn't gain a pound and the caffeine didn't keep me up all night. OHH the good old days.
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