вЂњWe never had the imagination to come up with some of the lyrics he did.вЂќ вЂњWe could never write like Syd,вЂќ cautioned Wright. But both he and FloydвЂ™s other principal writer, Rick Wright, had to find a new direction. Waters took the bit between his teeth and almost willed himself to become a songwriter. вЂњAnd I can always build a house for myself one day if I want to.вЂќ вЂњI just hated being under the boot so much,вЂќ he said in 1970. He was the least experienced musician (and Wright never tired of telling interviewers how he had to tune RogerвЂ™s bass), but Waters had previously worked in an architectвЂ™s office, and was scared of going back. TheyвЂ™d started it with Barrett, but it was Waters who drove A Saucerful Of Secrets over the finishing line. The band returned to Abbey Road studios to lick their wounds and complete their second album.

The following week the band released a new single, It Would Be So Nice, a Kinks-ish pop ditty, with keyboard player Rick Wright singing lead vocals. On April 6 it was officially announced Syd Barrett had left Pink Floyd. But that snap decision made in the back of a car would have a profound impact on their lives. Gilmour insists he canвЂ™t remember which band member suggested not picking up Barrett for a gig at Southampton University in January 1968. One roadie recalled a gig where a disorientated Barrett stood so close to Gilmour that he was an inch from his face: вЂњSyd then started walking around, almost checking if he was a three-dimensional object.вЂќ His behaviour had become increasingly erratic, due to undiagnosed mental health issues and his use of hallucinogenic drugs.ДЇor a time, the two guitarists shared stages together. вЂњThough at first we had this idea weвЂ™d be a five-piece вЂ“ David would do the heavy lifting and Syd would stay at home and write songs.вЂќ But this proved impractical when Barrett failed to deliver any songs. вЂњIt was a relief having him in the band,вЂќ said Mason. HeвЂ™d become a semi-pro musician at 15 вЂ“ and it showed. Gilmour had grown up in Cambridge with Waters and Barrett, but didnвЂ™t mimic BarrettвЂ™s abstract guitar style. The new Pink Floyd began when David Gilmour first plugged in his Strat in their rehearsal room and played like Jimi Hendrix.

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