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.