Pete Townshend Regrets Not Having More Time With Syd Barrett
The Who’s Pete Townshend has opened up about his deep admiration for early Pink Floyd, sharing a bittersweet reflection on his relationship with the late co-founder Syd Barrett.
While speaking to Classic Album Review, Townshend recalled being blown away by the band during their rise as a London word-of-mouth sensation in the late 1960s. Having already established chart success with The Who, Townshend frequented their live sets, even bringing Eric Clapton along to witness the psychedelic outfit at the UFO Club.
Remembering Syd Barrett’s Brilliance
Townshend didn’t shy away from addressing Barrett’s well-documented struggles, noting that Roger Waters’ assessment regarding Barrett’s decline and schizophrenia aligns with his own memories of the era. Despite the difficulties, Townshend fondly remembered Barrett’s pioneering approach to sonic experimentation.
“I was his friend. I know him very well. He was nuts. He was on LSD all the time,” Townshend said. Praising Barrett’s distinct artistry, he added, “He was very, very psychedelic. He would use distortion, and Nick Mason on the drums would always pick it up and turn it into a power drive. It was so impressive.”
Reflecting on their shared background as art students, Townshend expressed lingering sadness over how their connection played out. “He was an art student like me, so there was a lot we had in common,” Townshend reflected. “And I wish I’d had more time to develop our friendship. And I wish I’d been able to hang on to him. But this is true for most people that knew Sid.”
Revisiting Rivalries
In the same conversation, Townshend also touched on past musical rivalries, admitting that his previous harsh opinions of Led Zeppelin stemmed from competitive friction rather than musical merit. After revisiting their catalog, the guitarist conceded that he missed the mark at the time.
“I’ve been listening to all of the Zeppelin albums again. I thought I should, and there’s some fucking great stuff there,” Townshend admitted, comparing the rivalry to his initial defensive posture when Jimi Hendrix arrived on the scene with his massive amplifiers and innovation.
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