Roger Waters has escalated his long-running feud with Disturbed frontman David Draiman after Draiman criticized him on Billy Corgan’s podcast, The Magnificent Others. The clash began after Corgan brought Draiman onto the show for a wide-ranging discussion about music and politics, including Draiman’s belief that artists should speak from the heart and not shy away from controversial subjects. During that conversation, Draiman also took aim at Waters’ views on Israel and Gaza, and the exchange quickly spilled into social media.
On April 16, Waters responded with a blunt open letter posted on Instagram and addressed to Billy Corgan. In it, he said someone had forwarded him Draiman’s appearance on the podcast and claimed he had “never heard of him” before adding that Draiman had clearly heard of him. Waters said Draiman had a problem with him “standing up for human rights,” specifically “the human rights of my brothers and sisters in Gaza,” framing the issue as part of a broader fight over civilian suffering in the conflict.
Waters’ letter then turned even harsher. He referred to Draiman as a “psychotic racist Nazi pig” and accused him of writing messages on bombs before they are dropped on civilians in Gaza. Waters also made it clear that he had no interest in a civil conversation, writing that if anyone was wondering whether he wanted to talk to Draiman, the answer was “non merci Billy,” because “life’s too short.” He closed by saying Draiman could “inhabit his tiny corner of hell” without his “love and truth,” while reaffirming that he would continue working with others to demand equal human rights for all people.
Draiman responded shortly afterward, saying he had been open to dialogue even with someone he deeply disagrees with. He said Waters’ reaction was disappointing but predictable, told him to “Be brave Roger,” and added, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Draiman also said he remains willing to try to talk, even with Waters, which kept the feud simmering rather than settling it.
The exchange fits into a much longer and more combustible history between the two musicians. Draiman has long been one of Waters’ loudest critics, especially over Waters’ anti-Israel statements and activism, while Waters has become increasingly outspoken about human rights in Gaza and his opposition to Israeli military actions. Their latest public clash is less a one-off argument than another chapter in a feud that has been building for years.
At the center of all this is Corgan’s podcast, which has become an unlikely stage for one of rock’s ugliest political disputes. What started as a conversation about whether musicians should make political art ended with Waters and Draiman trading insults online, each presenting himself as the one standing on principle. For now, neither side appears interested in backing down.
