Pink Floyd's original singer dead at 60

CAMBRIDGE, England, July 11 (UPI) -- Syd Barrett, the original lead singer of Pink Floyd, has died at his home in Cambridge, England, at the age of 60.

A Pink Floyd spokeswoman said Tuedsay that Barrett died "a few days ago" of complications from diabetes. A private funeral was planned.

Even though Barrett only recorded one album with Pink Floyd and had a few solo releases, his influence on pop music is was enormous, the Scotsman.com reported.

Band members issued a statement saying: "The band are naturally very upset and sad to learn of Syd Barrett's death. Syd was the guiding light of the early band line-up and leaves a legacy which continues to inspire."

Barrett hadn't released any material since 1972 when he moved to Cambridge and lived a fairly quiet and reclusive life. He has become renowned for his music. The BBC reported that drug abuse led to Barrett's "mental deterioration."