Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd

“Chris Welch and I went along to do a quick interview with Syd at his manager’s office. We were a bit apprehensive, as stories of Syd’s behavior of late seemed bizarre. When we got there, we were met by a very upset guy who said Syd had locked himself into a room and he wouldn’t come out. Oh dear! It seemed the stories were true. Chris and I spoke to him through the door and tried to convince him that we were his friends and that everything was OK. He slowly opened the door and ushered us in, quickly shutting and locking the door behind us. He stood there looking very frightened, muttering, “Those people out there are aliens, and are after me!” We tried to tell him that they were his management and friends and they cared about him, as do we. He seemed unconvinced, and I took this dark side of Syd picture and managed to persuade him to let Chris and I out and that we’d send help. He took the key from his pocket, unlocked the door. We escaped and Syd locked himself back inside.”

Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd at his manager’s office in Mayfair, London, 1971.