Being recognized as one of the most legendary rock guitarists of all time is quite an accomplishment. Earning the admiration of guitar icon Jimmy Page adds to that achievement. With his early days in The Yardbirds and his groundbreaking hard rock with Led Zeppelin, Page has undeniably made a lasting impact on the world of rock and roll. Page’s career was truly remarkable, and he always had a deep admiration for the innovative music of Syd Barrett, the songwriter of Pink Floyd.
Barrett is an incredibly influential figure in the realm of psychedelia and musical experimentation, and his impact is undeniable. Having founded Pink Floyd in 1965, he rapidly gained recognition as one of Britain’s most talented and productive songwriters. He devoted himself to pushing the boundaries of music and exploring new artistic avenues. The late 1960s saw psychedelic rock take hold of the rock scene, captivating audiences with its mind-altering sound. Influential groups such as Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead blazed a trail. This paved the way for even pop icons like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to explore the trippy realm of acid. Within the realm of the psychedelic scene, there were only a handful of artists who could rival the unique talent of Syd Barrett.
Jimmy Page had a complex relationship with psychedelic rock. Starting in the realm of skiffle and early rockabilly, it appeared that psychedelia wasn’t quite his cup of tea. However, while he was a member of The Yardbirds, he would go on to produce two other iconic guitarists, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton. He did have his instances of delving into psychedelic music. By and large, The Yardbirds primarily focused on blues rock, as Page felt disconnected from the prevailing psychedelic bands of that era. “To us, there was much more to it than simply being stoned and playing one chord,” he explained to Mojo in 2017.
Jimmy Page couldn’t help but acknowledge the undeniable musical genius of Syd Barrett. Despite his ambivalence towards spaced-out, drugged-up rock and roll. Even though he was only there during the early days of Pink Floyd, those initial albums still stand out as the undeniable highlights of Floyd’s extensive career. The debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, is truly a work of art. It remains the only Floyd album to showcase Barrett’s talent throughout. Unfortunately, Page never had the opportunity to witness the earliest and greatest line-up of Pink Floyd. However, he expresses his strong desire to have been there. It’s a sentiment shared by many of us.
In a surprising turn of events, the band expelled Barrett from the band he helped create back in 1968. This was due to his ongoing battle with mental health issues and his heavy use of psychedelic drugs. That day marked the end of an era for countless fans of British psychedelia. Floyd would go on to have a long-lasting career. However, their ambitious concept albums and rock operas never quite matched the groundbreaking songwriting of Barrett. It was evident to most individuals beyond the Floyd bubble that Barrett was the undeniable star of the band.
Page seems to have a strong admiration for Syd Barrett and his incredible talent. He gracefully shifted to the side, tapping into a wealth of incredible inspiration. Their take on psychedelia was incredibly cool. Before subtly criticizing his 1960s peers, he remarked, “There was some music labeled as psychedelia – without naming any specific artists – that was simply subpar.”
Page expressed his admiration for Syd Barrett’s incredible talents. He stated that Pink Floyd’s experimental approach meant a great deal to him. It holds a significant place in the hearts of countless music enthusiasts, even after all these years. Barrett’s departure from music and public life in 1972 marked the end of an era. In his brief career, he left an indelible mark on the history of rock and roll.
