Roger Keith "
Syd"
Barrett (6 January 1946 – 7 July 2006) was an English musician, composer, singer, songwriter, and painter. Best known as a founder member of the band
Pink Floyd, Barrett was the lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter in its early years and is credited with naming the band. Barrett was excluded from Pink Floyd in April 1968 after
David Gilmour took over as their new guitarist, and was briefly hospitalized amid speculation of
mental illness.