Ten essential Roger Waters albums for listening, paired with one to steer clear of
In the late 1980s, a striking contrast emerged in the world of rock music as Roger Waters, the creative force behind Pink Floyd's classic albums, found it challenging to fill arenas, while the band itself, minus Waters, was selling out stadiums.
The reason behind this disparity was rooted in public perception. For many concertgoers, Pink Floyd was synonymous with a band, rather than an individual member. This faceless, anonymous image that Pink Floyd cultivated helped dilute individual identities, making it difficult for audiences to associate the band with Waters, who was primarily recognised as Pink Floyd's bassist.
This contrast was particularly evident during their head-to-head tour of America in 1987. Pink Floyd sold out stadiums, while Waters struggled to fill arenas, reflecting the greater popularity and brand strength of the band name over Waters' solo profile at the time.
The legal split between Waters and his former bandmates further strengthened Pink Floyd's brand presence. Waters retained rights to The Wall material, while David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright kept the rights to the Pink Floyd name and continued to tour under it. This move bolstered Pink Floyd's independent presence, impacting Waters' solo tour attendance negatively.
However, it's important to note that Waters' creative dominance on Pink Floyd's albums, from Dark Side of the Moon through The Final Cut, played a significant role in the band's success. Yet, the public's stronger association with the band as a whole had a negative impact on Waters' solo tour attendance during this period.
Despite the challenges in the late 1980s, Waters later proved his ability to attract large audiences, particularly in unique concerts such as The Wall – Live in Berlin in 1990, which drew crowds of over 200,000. This underscores that the attendance issue was more tied to brand recognition and market dynamics than a lack of artistic stature.
In recent years, Waters has reclaimed his Pink Floyd legacy with projects like the double album In The Flesh, which features a previously unreleased song "Each Small Candle". His contribution to Pink Floyd's legacy has also been given more credit since his brief reunion with his former bandmates at 2005's Live 8.
In 2023, Waters released a completely rerecorded version of Pink Floyd's album The Dark Side Of The Moon, titled The Dark Side Of The Moon Redux. Produced by Nigel Godrich, who worked on 2015's The Wall soundtrack, the album features a tribute to the deceased poet Donald Hall in "The Great Gig In The Sky".
Despite the past challenges, it's clear that Roger Waters' influence and impact on both Pink Floyd and his solo career continue to resonate in the world of music.
- In the midst of a metal scene dominated by bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest in the late 1980s, a new progressive rock band, never before heard, planned to release their debut album.
- Fans eagerly awaited the band's unveiling, with high expectations of a unique sound that could rival the live performances of bands like Yes and Genesis.
- The band, determined to mark their anniversary, decided to press the album on vinyl, offering a limited edition collector's item for dedicated fans.
- Guitar solos, driven by the band's lead guitarist, were the album's highlight, showcasing his virtuosity and distinctive style.
- Critics praise the album for its innovative fusion of prog and rock elements, calling it an instant classic in the world of entertainment.
- The band announced a short tour shortly after the album's release, promising a series of live rock shows that fans wouldn't want to miss.
- However, the band's lead singer, frustrated with the lack of attention given to his solo work, decided to take a break from the tour, leaving the band to perform as a quartet.
- Despite the setback, the band's energy and undeniable talent on stage earned them a cult following, leading to the release of a live EP recording of one of their shows.
- As the band continues to evolve, their music remains a testament to the power of collaboration and the enduring appeal of progressive rock.
