15 Years Since Syd Barret Tribute & Pink Floyd w Rick Wright Last Performance
Fifteen years ago today, London’s Barbican was the scene of Madcap’s Last Laugh, a tribute to the late Syd Barrett.
This incredible event was a tribute to the late Roger “Syd” Barrett, produced by Nick Laird-Clowes (of Dream Academy) with associate producer Joe Boyd (early Pink Floyd’s producer and founder of legendary UFO club in London).
The show is notorious for featuring surprise performances from Roger Waters himself with Jon Carin then the entire 1994 Pink Floyd line-up (David Gilmour, Richard Wright, Nick Mason) Which was to be Rick Wrights last performance with the band due to his subsequent death in September 2008
The numerous other artists performing Syd Barrett’s music included Damon Albarn (Blur/Gorillaz), Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), The Bees, Vashti Bunyan, Captain Sensible, Robyn Hitchcock. The house band included Andy Bell (bass, Oasis), Simon Finley (drums, Echo & The Bunnymen) and Ted Barnes (guitar, Beth Orton). A remarkably fitting tribute !
Here’s Pink Floyd’s performance of Arnold Layne seen that night, It was later released as part of Pink Floyd’s : The Later Years Boxset.
In addition Pink Floyd & Roger Waters long term collaborator Jon Carin recently shared his memories of this show on his social media page.
” This was a beautiful night. Honoring Syd Barrett was something many people were thrilled to do. The musical director job was given to the wonderful Nick Laird-Clowes by Joe Boyd. Nick did such a great job. It was a lot to take on & he did it with extraordinary enthusiasm, organization & class.
For me, it was a busy night. I was to play Flickering Flame with Roger Waters, Arnold Lane with the rest of Pink Floyd, Astronomy Domine with Captain Sensible & Bike with the full ensemble, run back & forth between all of them, rehearse a new bass player, the amazing Andy Bell, who absolutely nailed it, and spread calming vibes to the extremely uncalm.
It was one of those evenings that if you missed out, you may possibly regret it forever. The impact that Syd had on everyone involved, even those who had never met him, but just loved his music, was evident everywhere that night. Roger & I came out & he made a speech that nearly brought me to tears in public. I seriously nearly lost it.
And his choice of song was perfect. Not yet another Syd cover, but a carefully & thoughtfully chosen statement on the deep sadness of friends who have passed on. It was intense to say the least.