KKLZ Music News

Members of the psychedelic pop group Pink Floyd. From left to right, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Syd Barrett and Rick Wright. (Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images)

The late Syd Barrett would’ve turned 72 today (January 6), and besides being Pink Floyd’s founding guitarist/frontman, one of his other biggest contributions to the band’s history is serving as the inspiration to “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” an epic and favorite among fans the world over.

The song was split into nine parts that book-ended Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here, with parts one through five acting as side one/track one and parts six through nine as side two/track three.  Out of the band for several years due to various mental issues, Barrett coincidentally went to visit his old band while they were recording the album, and the day he arrived in the studio was the day they were laying down the lyric for “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.”

Of course, “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” isn’t the only tribute track in rock history.  In honor of Barrett’s birthday, we assembled a playlist of other notable tribute songs and who they honor.  Enjoy!

Tribute Songs Playlist

Pink Floyd – “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”
Alice Cooper – “Desperado” (Tribute to Jim Morrison)
AC/DC – “Back In Black” (Tribute to Bon Scott)
Neil Young – “The Needle & the Damage Done” (Tribute to Crazy Horse bandmate Danny Whitten)
George Harrison – “All Those Years Ago” (Tribute to John Lennon)
U2 – “Angel of Harlem” (Tribute to Billie Holiday)

 

Erica Banas is rock/classic rock news blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who's well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights

Sign me up for the 96.3 KKLZ email newsletter!

You love 96.3 KKLZ, so join the VIP Club! Be the first to know about our amazing ticket giveaways, the latest updates with your favorite artists, and more delivered right to your inbox.

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.