Shine on you crazy diamond.
Threatened by shadows at night,
And exposed in the light.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome
With random precision,
Rode on the steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!
Just listened to this on the way into work James
Syd may have had what is now classed as Aspergers syndrome (wouldn't have been in his time0 but most of all his story was one of mental illness precipitated in all probability by experimental drug use. Much like Peter Green of the original Fleetwood Mac.
There were those who were direct casualties like Hendrix, Morrison, Joplin etc, and then those who were destroyed more slowly - eg Moon and Cobain - and there are those like Syd and Peter whose lives were totally altered.
There are a few who survive showing signs of wear and tear
Overall though, it's just sad. Watch out Mr Doherty