Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters spoke about politics on the most recent episode of the System Update podcast. The rocker revealed whether or not he regrets making provocative remarks.
During the political debate, the host inquired whether he ever feared engaging in political and contentious talks with people could risk his job. The musician highlighted some remarks he received concerning one of his provocative performances.
He said, “They almost got to me this year when I was 79. He said thinking, ‘Oh my God, can I wear the leather coat or not’? Will they dismember my balls and feed them to the wolves? And I’ll be a homeless elderly guy shivering on the side of the road with a f*cking blanket. They’re frightening because they’re so violent. And they’re not going to back down.”
When asked if he regretted anything controversial he had said previously, he said, “No. No, because I stated it to them this morning in the meeting, I’m not sure if they received it or not. Every year, I make the same New Year’s resolution I’ve made for the past ten years. Because I’ve finally worked out what it is, and it is this. I will keep doing my best throughout the following year. […] ‘You have to try your best!’ say some. You do not. You must do your very best.”
Waters ‘Nazi-Style’ Costume Caused Investigations
The musician has been performing alone for several years, one of which nearly resulted in his cancellation. Many people referred to the rocker’s leather jacket as a “Nazi-style costume” when he performed in Berlin in May of this year. The costume included a swastika-like insignia consisting of two crossed hammers, which was also used on costumes in a film based on Pink Floyd’s blockbuster 1979 album ‘The Wall.’
While his social media admirers and followers backed him, Berlin police launched an inquiry when Waters appeared in the outfit. Following the probe, Waters issued a statement. He stated, “My recent performance in Berlin has attracted bad faith attacks from those who want to smear and silence me. They did it because they disagreed with my political views and moral principles.”
Accusations of Antisemitism
The musician has a lengthy history of controversies, one of the most recent being antisemitism. The allegations were made explicit in a recent documentary, ‘The Dark Side of Roger Waters.‘. He made up a song in which he used the epithet ‘f*cking Jew’ to refer to his agency. Furthermore, musician Norbert Stachel reported that Waters once pushed a meal offered to him in a Lebanese restaurant away in a rage.
Following the allegations, he was barred from participating in a panel discussion for the Palestine Writes Literature Festival, which he was scheduled to participate in.
So, even if he faces penalties for his actions and beliefs, it does not appear like Waters will remain silent and will continue to express his actual feelings.
You can watch the interview.
