Will Roger Waters’ Explosive New Comments About Israel and Ukraine Sink a $500 Million Pink Floyd Catalog Sale?

Variety ^ | 11/25/22 | Jem Aswad

[DeathBeforeDishonor1]

While there’s been no official word, legendary British rockers Pink Floyd have been shopping their recorded-music catalog and other assets for several months, seeking as much as $500 million, according to the Financial Times, with both major music companies and investment firms as the top bidders. But sources say an explosive new interview with founding member, main songwriter and stakeholder Roger Waters — in which he makes extensive remarks about Israel, Ukraine, Russia, the U.S. and other political matters that one could politely characterize as controversial — is giving at least one potential buyer cold feet and seems likely to lead others to rethink their positions.

For years Waters has sounded off about politics in the press and at his concerts, most controversially Israel’s policies. But the new interview in Rolling Stone raises (or lowers) the bar considerably. While interviewer James Ball does his best to challenge some of Waters’ more far-fetched statements, the former Pink Floyd singer argues emphatically that some Jewish people in the U.S. and U.K. bear responsibility for the actions of Israel “because they pay for everything”; that well-documented accounts of Russian war crimes in Ukraine are “lies, lies, lies”; that the United States is “the most evil [country in the world] of all by a factor of at least 10 times”; that Russia’s brutal military involvement in Syria is justified because “they were there at the invitation of the Syrian government” (which is led by one of the world’s most murderous dictators, Bashar Assad), and more. (See a 12,000-word transcript of the interview here).

[The Mayor]

SAY WHAT?

All my kids listen to our music, all their friends do too.

We didn’t add much to the world? I suppose you speak only for yourself correct?
Look around you and what do you see? Think real hard, I know it must be difficult with such a small brain as yours, but really, question your thoughts before you spew your mindless dribble.

[knarf]

Well . . . . number one in the first place . . . this is a subject I had never heard of before, and TWO; the list is outrageously long with such great folks from my 74 year old memory.

I can only hope and pray, the music I listened to that pleasured and shaped me would have a chance at another generation.

Just yesterday, in a thread/commentary about different generations being discussed (social media) I stick this in to make a point.

[knarf]

. . . and we actually listened to, and adopted many lyrics

[Palio di Siena]

Baby boomers didn’t add much to the world….
You’re an ass.

[Chode]

maybe the others should sue him for ruining the brand...

[God luvs America]

And they had to bring in an outside singer (Roy Harper) to sing one of their better known songs, Have A Cigar, because Waters could not sing it correctly.

[God luvs America]

Led Zeppelin being the exception- of course

[Jonty30]

Of course.
I like their immigrant song.
I also like most baby boomer music.

[discostu]

Nope. You got every part of that wrong. The legacy acts get massive listener-ship these days.

[knarf]

YOU . . . are the result of many people and generations before you . . . . unless . . . of course . . . . . you DID lose your prehensile tail . . . in which case . . . . you came from the ass class you so easily deride with no understanding.

I enlisted at 17 in 1965.

YOU'RE an ass.

[rustyboots]

My idea has been that in 50 years, people will still be listening to bands like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, etc. But they will be asking Jay who, what’s her name Beyond, Beyonce, whatever. Kanye what direction. Music and talent never die, but noise generation will die, just not soon enough.

[WeaslesRippedMyFlesh]

thanks for the tip

never heard of them

however, what you say is true

[Palio di Siena]

Hey chief - you shouldn’t be addressing this to me.
I’ll be 72 in June - I was calling him an ass - not you.

[knarf]

Wait a minute . . . I'll go get my saddle on . . . my reading with understanding fuse must'a blew.

I apologize.

[Palio di Siena]

No worries - it’s all good.

[MarkL]

Waters has been mouthing off for years. I like his art and despise his politics.

I've long thought that Waters is a pretentious millionaire socialist/communist supporter, who's also a longtime Jew hater.

I remember his remarks during the recording of "The Wall," and how he effectively kicked Richard Wright out of Pink Floyd. Interestingly enough, Richard Wright performed on "The Wall" tour as a contact employee, and as such, was the only member of Pink Floyd that actually made money on that tour.

Mark

[newbie 10-21-00]

Think concerts. I was with Universal Music for 15 years