At 81 years old, Roger Waters remains one of rock music’s most outspoken and controversial figures.

The co-founder and former frontman of Pink Floyd has never shied away from airing his grievances publicly, especially when it comes to his long and complicated relationship with fellow band member David Gilmour.

Recently, Waters has escalated his criticisms, accusing Gilmour and his wife of deliberately rewriting the history of Pink Floyd to diminish Waters’ role in the band’s legacy.

This feud, which has simmered for decades, has now become a very public clash over control, ideology, and the true meaning behind one of the most influential rock bands in history.

 

Pink Floyd was formed in London in 1965 by Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Richard Wright, and later David Gilmour, who joined in 1967 after Barrett’s departure due to mental health issues.

Waters quickly emerged as the band’s ideological and lyrical leader, steering the group’s thematic direction and conceptual depth.

Gilmour, meanwhile, became the band’s musical face and lead guitarist, contributing significantly to the iconic sound and atmosphere that defined Pink Floyd’s classic albums.

 

Between 1971 and 1975, Pink Floyd reached their creative peak with landmark albums like *Meddle*, *The Dark Side of the Moon*, and *Wish You Were Here*.

Waters provided the philosophical and political vision, while Gilmour shaped the musical structure and guitar work.

However, tensions began to rise during the production of *Animals* (1976), when Waters took control of most songwriting and recording, sidelining other members, including Gilmour and Wright.

These internal conflicts foreshadowed the eventual split.

 

By the late 1970s, Waters had assumed near-total control of Pink Floyd’s creative output.

The 1979 album *The Wall* was essentially a Waters solo project, reflecting his personal narrative and political views.

During its production, Waters asked Richard Wright to leave the band, although Wright continued as a touring musician.

Gilmour played a smaller role in *The Wall* and openly criticized it later as lacking originality.

 

In 1985, Waters officially left Pink Floyd, declaring that the band had no reason to exist without him.

He even filed a lawsuit to prevent Gilmour, Mason, and Wright from using the Pink Floyd name, arguing the band was his artistic vision.

However, a 1987 out-of-court settlement granted Gilmour and Mason rights to the name, while Waters retained rights to some visual elements and unreleased recordings.

Wright was invited back as an unofficial member.

This legal and personal split marked two distinct eras of Pink Floyd: the Waters era and the post-Waters era led by Gilmour.

 

Since the split, Waters and Gilmour have pursued separate careers, each carrying a piece of Pink Floyd’s legacy but representing very different artistic and ideological approaches.

Waters’ solo work has been politically charged and personal, focusing on global issues such as war, power, and media manipulation.

Gilmour continued Pink Floyd with albums like *A Momentary Lapse of Reason* (1987) and *The Division Bell* (1994), emphasizing musical atmosphere over political commentary.

 

The rivalry intensified in the 2020s, fueled by stark political differences.

Waters has been outspoken against Western policies, particularly regarding the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

His statements, including support for controversial leaders and use of provocative stage imagery, have drawn criticism, concert cancellations, and accusations of anti-Semitism.

Waters denies these accusations, clarifying his opposition is to specific government policies, not ethnic groups.

 

Gilmour, meanwhile, has distanced himself from Waters politically and artistically.

In interviews, he has ruled out any future collaborations, citing irreconcilable ideological differences.

Gilmour’s mentor and lyricist, Polly Samson, has publicly criticized Waters, accusing him of toxic behavior and anti-Semitism, further deepening the divide.

 

In 2023, Waters released *The Dark Side of the Moon Redux*, a re-recording of Pink Floyd’s iconic 1973 album without any original members involved.

Waters described the project as a reinterpretation through his personal lens and modern perspective.

However, many fans and critics viewed it as a controversial appropriation of a collective legacy for personal gain.

Gilmour has not publicly commented on the Redux album, but sources close to him consider it a provocative act.

 

In contrast, Gilmour released his solo album *Luck and Strange* in 2024, which received critical acclaim for its sound and technical mastery.

He embarked on a tour separate from Waters’ activities, signaling a clear professional and personal separation.

 

The political polarization between Waters and Gilmour has become a defining factor in their estrangement.

Waters has used his platform to express controversial views on international conflicts, criticizing NATO, the US, and Western governments, and supporting leaders like Vladimir Putin and Nicolás Maduro.

His performances often include politically charged visuals, which have been condemned in countries such as Germany and Israel.

 

Gilmour has publicly condemned Waters’ extreme political stances, stating that he cannot perform with someone who supports oppressive regimes.

This stance was echoed by Samson, who has been a vocal critic of Waters on social media.

Waters, for his part, insists he is broadening perspectives and challenging dominant narratives, though his views have isolated him from many peers and fans.

 

Despite their personal and ideological battles, Waters and Gilmour’s combined efforts created some of the most influential music of the 20th century.

Albums like *The Wall* and *The Dark Side of the Moon* remain cultural touchstones, blending philosophical depth with groundbreaking musical innovation.

 

Critics and producers who worked with the band have noted that the tension between Waters’ conceptual vision and Gilmour’s musical craftsmanship was central to Pink Floyd’s success.

However, since Waters’ departure, the band’s output has not matched the artistic heights of their earlier work.

 

A brief reunion in 2005 for the Live 8 concert reunited Waters, Gilmour, Wright, and Mason, but it was short-lived.

The death of Richard Wright in 2008 effectively ended hopes for a full reunion.

Today, Waters continues to tour and produce politically charged solo work, including a war-themed album slated for release in 2026.

Gilmour focuses on his solo career and tours, maintaining the Pink Floyd legacy through his own artistic lens.

 

The feud between Waters and Gilmour symbolizes more than personal animosity; it reflects two opposing philosophies about art, politics, and legacy.

Waters represents the band’s ideological conscience, unafraid to confront uncomfortable truths, while Gilmour embodies its musical soul, prioritizing sound and atmosphere.

 

Fans remain divided, with some championing Waters as the intellectual mastermind behind Pink Floyd’s message, while others appreciate Gilmour’s musical genius and leadership in the band’s later years.

The story of Roger Waters and David Gilmour is one of brilliance, conflict, and enduring legacy.

Their decades-long feud has shaped not only their personal lives but also the public’s perception of Pink Floyd’s music and message.

While reconciliation seems unlikely, their combined contributions continue to inspire generations of musicians and listeners worldwide.

 

As Waters and Gilmour move forward on separate paths, the question remains: how will the legacy of Pink Floyd be preserved and interpreted? Perhaps, as Waters himself suggests, the music will be the ultimate proof of their shared history—complex, conflicted, but undeniably monumental.

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