Genius musician and Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters turns 81
Looking back at the life and career of the man behind “The Dark Side of the Moon”, “The Wall” and several other Rock music masterpieces
Genius musician and Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters turns 81
The influential Pink Floyd’s maestro and genius, the multi-instrumentalist Roger Waters was born George Roger Waters on September 6th, 1943, in Great Bookham, Surrey, England. The loss of his father during the War in 1944 inspired him later to write one of Rock’s masterpieces “The Wall”.
He formed Pink Floyd in 1965 together with Nick Manson and Richard Wright after several different bands they had been in and different name choices for the band which included Sigma 6, The Meggadeaths, Spectrum 5 and Tea Set. Waters became the main composer and bass player (though a multi-instrumentalist in studio) in the band that featured also Syd Barret on vocals and guitar. By 1967 Pink Floyd are one of London’s music scene most interesting and original bands, with their experimental and edgier Psychedelic Rock. In 1967 they released their debut album “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” which Waters wrote and co-wrote. The band meet considerable success despite their non-commercial songs distinctly different from the Flower Power trend at those days, though they had a string of commercial hit singles such as “See Emily Play” and “Arnold Layne.” In 1968 Syd Barret leaves the band and is replaced by David Gilmour. Pink Floyd release a succession of albums under the same edgier and experimental Psychedelic style, but as the 70’s approach they start playing with the idea of concept album, that was becoming somehow popular among the emerging Progressive Rock style. The 1970 album “Atom Earth Mother” was possibly their first big incursion into the idea of concept, with a sonority already very distant from their early records, Stanley Kubrick approached the band during that period to ask them if he could use the album as the soundtrack of his upcoming movie “A Clockwork Orange” but got refused permission by the band, however, in the movie the album can still be seen in the shelves of the record store scene. In 1973 Pink Floyd release what is considered their masterpiece, the finished concept album “The Dark Side of the Moon,” one of the most commercially successful rock albums ever. It spent 736 straight weeks on the Billboard 200 chart—until July 1988—and sold over 40 million copies worldwide. It was continuing to sell over 8,000 units every week as of 2005. According to Pink Floyd biographer Glen Povey, “The Dark Side of the Moon” is the world’s second best-selling album, and the United States’ 21st best-selling album of all time. Throughout the 70’s they developed their own unique marketing strategy and released a string of important and significant albums, “Wish You Were Here” 1975, “Animals” 1977 and their second masterpiece “The Wall” 1979, written largely by Waters. Waters had referred or alluded to the cost of war and the loss of his father throughout his work, from “Corporal Clegg” (“A Saucerful of Secrets,” 1968) and “Free Four” (“Obscured by Clouds,” 1972) to “Us and Them” from “The Dark Side of the Moon,” “When the Tigers Broke Free,” first used in the feature film, “The Wall “(1982), later included with “The Fletcher Memorial Home” on the 1983 album “The Final Cut,” an album dedicated to his father. The theme and composition of “The Wall” was influenced by his upbringing in an English society depleted of men after the Second World War. Overall, the double album “The Wall,” is largely based on Waters’ life story having sold over 23 million certified units in the US as of 2013, is one of the top three best-selling albums of all time in America. During the 70’s Pink Floyd started to organize large scale concerts with unique stage props and laser lights, a new concept started by them during “The Dark Side of the Moon Tour”, before that, in 1971 they already had organized the extraordinary (audience free) concert at the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater in Pompeii, Italy to be released on film. In 1980-1981 “The Wall Tour” was relatively small compared to previous tours for a major release, with only 31 shows in total. The tour was notable for its extensive use of stage theatrics, most notably a giant wall constructed across the stage to convey the sense of alienation present in both the album, and Roger Waters’ personal feelings at the time. Pink Floyd released their final album with Waters, “The Final Cut,” in 1983.
After his departure from Pink Floyd in 1985, Waters embarked on a successful solo career that continued his exploration of political, social, and emotional themes. He also initiated a legal battle over the rights to the band’s name, believing that Pink Floyd should retire without him. He eventually lost the case but retained the rights to The Wall and other artistic properties. This dispute marked a significant point in Waters’ career, as his relationship with his former bandmates became strained, though his solo career gave him more creative control.
Waters’ successful solo career had begun while still a member of Pink Floyd. His first solo album, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking, was released in 1984, a year before he officially left the band. The album, which explored themes of dreams and existential crises, was a concept piece much like Pink Floyd’s earlier works. It received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its ambitious nature and others finding it overly complex. Despite the divided opinions, Waters’ storytelling and elaborate live performances, which featured guitarist Eric Clapton, showcased his continued creative energy.
In 1987, Waters released Radio K.A.O.S., a concept album centered on a young, disabled man named Billy who could hear radio signals in his head. The album delved into themes of nuclear war, societal alienation, and corporate control of media. Although not as commercially successful as Pink Floyd’s albums, it was appreciated for its political commentary and innovative use of radio sounds and signals. Waters toured extensively to promote the album, creating a multimedia stage show that involved interactive radio broadcasts and elaborate visual effects.
Waters’ third solo album, Amused to Death (1992), is often regarded as his finest solo work. The album addresses the desensitization of society through television and media, focusing on the effects of war, greed, and the erosion of human connection. It was heavily inspired by the Gulf War and features contributions from guitarist Jeff Beck. While not a commercial blockbuster, Amused to Death was highly praised for its depth and poignant critique of modern life. The album’s themes of media manipulation and political corruption resonated with fans, and over time, it has gained a strong cult following.
In 2005, Waters took a surprising turn with the release of Ça Ira, a classical opera about the French Revolution. Composed over several years, the opera featured lyrics in both French and English and showcased Waters’ interest in classical music and history. While a departure from his rock roots, Ça Ira demonstrated Waters’ versatility as a composer and his ability to explore different musical forms.
After years of focusing on live tours and revisiting Pink Floyd’s catalog, Waters returned with his first rock album in 25 years, Is This the Life We Really Want? (2017). The album was a scathing critique of global politics, particularly aimed at the rise of populism, environmental issues, and the manipulation of power. Produced by Nigel Godrich (best known for his work with Radiohead), the album received critical acclaim for its raw emotion and thematic continuity with Waters’ earlier works.
Waters is also known for his elaborate and politically charged live performances, often performing large-scale versions of Pink Floyd’s The Wall and other iconic albums. His 1990 performance of The Wall in Berlin, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, was one of the largest concerts in history, attended by over 350,000 people. The concert took place on the vacant terrain between Potsdamer Platz and the Brandenburg Gate. The show reported an official attendance of 200,000, though some estimates are as much as twice that, with approximately one billion television viewers. Leonard Cheshire asked him to do the concert to raise funds for charity. Waters’ group of musicians included Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Cyndi Lauper, Bryan Adams, Scorpions, and Sinéad O’Connor. Waters also used an East German symphony orchestra and choir, a Soviet marching band, and a pair of helicopters from the U.S. 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron. Designed by Mark Fisher, the Wall was 25 meters tall and 170 meters long and was built across the set. Scarfe’s inflatable puppets were recreated on an enlarged scale, and although many rock icons received invitations to the show, Gilmour, Mason, and Wright, did not. His live tours, such as Us + Them (2017-2018), have been massive commercial successes, blending music with political commentary on war, poverty, and injustice.
In addition to his musical career, Waters has been an outspoken political activist. He has been heavily involved in advocating for human rights, opposing wars, and supporting the Palestinian cause. His activism often makes its way into his music and stage performances, where he does not shy away from confronting controversial political issues. Pink Floyd officially disbanded after the death of Richard Wright in 2008, they still released one last album, the 2012 “The Endless River” that contains the last songs finished with Richard Wright. Recently in 2023, Waters released his own solo version of “The Dark Side of the Moon,” titled “The Dark Side of the Moon Redux.”
Watch Pink Floyd with Roger Waters performing “Careful with That Axe, Eugene” live at Pompeii 1972
The Wall Concept
Watch Roger Waters performing “In the Flesh” live from his “The Wall Live” recent tour
Listen to some of Pink Floyd’s most memorable songs compiled by Pop Expresso on Spotify
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