Come to think of it, perhaps we're being a little harsh on Syd. After all, David Gilmour hasn't aged any better. It's just that we've seen him get old, whereas Syd as a recluse is always contrasted with his former self. These days, Gilmour could be put on the cover of D.H. Lawrence's "The Prussian Officer" and not appear out of place.

It seems that Syd and Gilmour were great buddies when they were children and that while Syd was always the poet, Gilmour was the better guitarist. Wonder why Gilmour wasn't invited to join the band in the first place? Maybe there was some rivalry between him and Syd? Likely enough.