Syd Barrett, real name Roger Keith Barrett, was born in Cambridge on 6th January 1946. The driving force behind the early PINK FLOYD, Barrett quickly succumbed to the drug culture and departed from the band as an obvious acid casualty.

Barrett's two solo albums featured contributions from all the PINK FLOYD members, excepting Nick Mason. The debut album also utilized SOFT MACHINE personnel in the form of the keyboardist Mike Ratledge, bassist Hugh Hopper and drummer Robert Wyatt.

Barrett formed a new act, STARS, in 1972 with PINK FAIRIES drummer Twink and bassist Jack Monk, but this was shortlived and Syd retired into complete anonymity.

Bizarrely, Barrett turned up at the studio whilst PINK FLOYD were recording their homage to him, 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' for the 'Wish You Were Here' album in 1975.

The 'Opel', issued by Harvest in 1988, is a collection of early Barrett material.