No Pink Floyd reunion in sight (opinion): How Gilmour and Waters’ feud over politics deepened

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As a lifelong fan of Pink Floyd who grew up with their music shaping my formative years, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions when it comes to the ongoing feud between David Gilmour and Roger Waters. The band’s iconic soundtracked some of my most memorable moments, from late-night drives with friends to introspective solitary walks.

David Gilmour has unequivocally expressed no desire to perform with his ex-bandmate from Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, again. In an interview with The Guardian, Gilmour left no room for doubt when he flatly refused, saying “definitely not.” This stance, which has been long-standing, is disappointing to some fans due to its origins primarily in disagreements over Waters’ political stances, particularly his contentious remarks on Israel, Ukraine, and the U.S.

In a controversial move, waters, known for his strong and often contentious opinions, has drawn parallels between Israel and Nazi Germany and suggested that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was not entirely unprovoked (though critics argue that Netanyahu’s current military actions against Gaza are indeed questionable, one may find it hard to understand what triggered Putin into territorial expansion, especially considering the desire for peace). These statements by Waters have further fueled tensions between him and Gilmour, exacerbating existing personal and philosophical disagreements.

As a gamer, I can’t help but voice my disagreement with Waters for his apparent backing of leaders like Putin from Russia and Maduro in Venezuela. I prefer keeping my distance from individuals who seem to endorse genocidal and autocratic rulers.

Gilmour expresses that his beliefs, particularly those concerning women’s treatment and the LGBTQ+ community, significantly differ from Waters’ seeming indifference towards these matters. Instead, Gilmour prefers collaborating with the late Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright, whom he characterizes as “one of the kindest and most musically talented individuals I have ever encountered.

What intensified the Pink Floyd feud?

The rift between the ex-bandmates escalated to a more open dispute when Gilmour’s wife, Polly Samson – who also pens Pink Floyd lyrics – publicly criticized Waters on social media platforms, labeling him as a “supporter of Putin” and alleging that he was lip-syncing.

On Twitter, or as the world’s wealthiest self-proclaimed fascist referred to it as “X,” she leveled accusations against Waters, claiming he was anti-Semitic at his very core. Gilmour openly endorsed these comments, stating that every word she said was provably accurate. In response, Waters dismissed their contentious remarks as inflammatory and inaccurate to a significant degree.

The ongoing interactions between these two political-leaning musicians have merely underscored the tense relationship and deep philosophical divide between them. The fallout from Roger Waters’ vocal political stance has rippled far beyond his friendship with David Gilmour. In fact, last year, BMG, a renowned German music publishing company, chose to part ways with Waters (as stated by Rogers, he was “let go”).

Initially, David Gilmour planned to re-release Pink Floyd’s album “The Dark Side of the Moon” through BMG Records. However, the agreement fell apart when Thomas Coesfeld, who took over as CEO at BMG, decided against backing the project. Eventually, the album came out under Cooking Vinyl, a British record label, demonstrating how Gilmour’s comments have affected his professional partnerships. It was also reported that this disagreement had postponed important financial discussions for Pink Floyd.

Due to some delay, Sony Music, having obtained Pink Floyd’s recorded music and visual identity rights for approximately $400 million, experienced setbacks partly because of Roger Waters’ controversial statements.

How the feud impacts Pink Floyd’s legacy

The music of Pink Floyd, notably iconic albums such as “The Dark Side of the Moon,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “The Wall,” continues to exert a powerful impact. However, the band’s enduring legacy is sometimes eclipsed by internal strife and contrasting personalities. Initially, Gilmour and Waters collaborated to propel Pink Floyd into global stardom, combining progressive rock with insightful social commentary through their music.

Following Waters’ departure from the band in 1985 due to legal disagreements, Pink Floyd carried on under Gilmour’s leadership and changed their musical approach towards a more atmospheric and melodious style that contrasted with Waters’ intense, politically driven stories. Gilmour stated about the separation, “I have no regrets whatsoever.

The unresolved tension between Gilmour and Waters remains a focal point for many Pink Floyd fans, with little hope of reconciliation. Both musicians have crafted solo careers that reflect their divergent values. It’s reminiscent of the split between Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, where Garfunkel said years later: “What I would have done is take a rest from Paul, because he was getting on my nerves. The jokes had run dry…”

Gilmour is well-known for his legendary guitar solos, most notably in songs like “Comfortably Numb” and “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.” On the other hand, Waters has explored more politically driven ventures. To some, the discord within Pink Floyd represents a deeper artistic struggle, giving rise to their enduring music yet not fostering hopes of reconciliation. Intriguingly, Putin’s continued dismantling of Pink Flood echoes the accusations against Yoko Ono for allegedly splitting up the Beatles; however, it is safe to say that Yoko was far less involved in any bloodshed compared to Putin.

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2024-10-25 21:01