 Many artists have acknowledged Barrett 's influence on their work . Paul McCartney , Pete Townshend , Blur , Kevin Ayers , Gong , Marc Bolan , Tangerine Dream , Julian Cope and David Bowie were inspired by Barrett ; Jimmy Page , Brian Eno , and The Damned all expressed interest in working with him at some point during the 1970s . Bowie recorded a cover of " See Emily Play " on his 1973 album Pin Ups . The track " Grass " , from XTC 's album Skylarking was influenced when Andy Partridge let fellow band member Colin Moulding borrow his Barrett records . Robyn Hitchcock 's career was dedicated to being Barrett @-@ esque ; he even played " Dominoes " for the 2001 BBC documentary The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story . 
