This is simply a thread to express something I've run around in my head for quite a while now: What with his illness and the dissolution of his marriage, not to mention his fears about what his disease might do while touring America, it's been pretty much a given that Ian would find suicide as the only option, or at least the most preferable, to his situation.
But about ten years previously, Syd Barrett, who was arguably more messed up than Ian, was kicked out of Pink Floyd for his safety. It may have been harsh on the part of his band members, but everything I've read concerning the subject seems to indicate it wasn't as heartless as it might be on the surface, that Syd would have suffered more had he remained the very visible head of the band.
My question is this: Could Ian have pulled a "Syd Barrett" and simply left JD, in order to try and restore some degree of good health? Or was he in fact destined to go out like he did, unable to leave (and the others unwilling to part with him)? He was the creative drive behind the band, to be sure, but as the case of post-Syd Floyd and New Order demonstrate, each continued on pretty well without Syd or Ian, even to a certain degree increasing their artistic stature.
Barney and Hooky were aware of Ian's problems, but they were too young (as they have said) to really consider what a toll being in the band was taking on him. Is it possible that, had they been just a bit more perceptive and able to realize the full extent of Ian's condition, they might have "kicked" him out, for his own sake?
I think personnally that Ian may not have shared his torment with Barney and Hooky, or at least not to the extent that it sent up warning signals. At any rate, I'm not saying they should have gotten rid of Ian, but that it was just a historical question worth pursuing. At any rate, I just wanted to create a debate and discussion about it.
The fact that Syd is still alive (at least the last time I checked) is a mark for sacking Ian before it was too late, but then again, who knew he'd kill himself? Anyway, just wonder what your thoughts might be on this situation....
