When asked by the Guardian about his new film, Roger Waters' fourth and most successful attempt to bring Pink Floyd's 1979 concept album The Wall to the big screen, one of the founders of the cult group responds by explaining why he no longer reads the British paper.
"When I did 'The Wall' in Berlin in 1990, they published a big photo, over half a page, without an article, under which it was written 'Last night Pink Floyd played their album 'The Wall' in Berlin and the sound was terrible. In that for a moment I thought - fuck you, I will never pick up that newspaper again," says the musician.
This is exactly what we've come to expect from Roger Waters in interviews. He was always one of the most unpleasant rock stars. He is also known for his often defensive attitude, which many would not expect from someone who has sold more than 250 million albums. He's always looking for a way to understate himself, like when he says that he wasn't the main creative force in the band after Syd Barrett's death in 1968, or that his solo career isn't on par with the rest of his Pink Floyd mates.
You'll get a warning from his publicist not to ask him just one thing. The warning comes in the form of a story about a reporter who began an interview with the words: "A friend asked me to ask you if Pink Floyd will ever get back together." Waters replied: "Tell your friend to go away".
At the age of 72, Rogers exudes health and contentment. On his website, in addition to supporting Palestine, there is also a video in which the musician happily participates in a cooking show on TV.
"Over the years I've realized how lucky I am that people like what I've done. I'm happy when I go somewhere and play my songs. I don't think I realized that until 1999. Don Henley asked me to do a charity concert in Los Angeles. There there were six thousand people, and I went on stage and felt a wave of love from the audience. And I thought - hey, this isn't bad," the musician points out.
But it is incredible to think that he realized that people love him only after 35 years of his career.
"I'm serious! I think that was the tipping point for me. I thought - you know what, maybe I'll tour again. Because I love this, this is great," adds Waters.
This point is underscored by his new film, which features footage of Waters visiting a memorial for his father who died in Italy during World War II, footage of his 2010-2013 world tour, a tour that earned him more money than any another solo musician. Waters says he enjoys concerts the most.
"I've gained confidence, I'm much more comfortable on stage now," he says.
He believes that it has to do with an event from the past. A few years ago, Waters was asked to speak in front of the students at his son Harry's school.
"It's the scariest thing I've ever done. Just the thought of standing in front of eighty 10-year-olds was terrifying. I'm serious. I couldn't sleep for weeks. I couldn't figure out what to do.
It was really strange, I couldn't understand why I was so scared. It was something I had to face and somehow I got over it. I don't know what happened, but it happened - something inside," explains the musician.
Deconstruction of the idea that socialism lost to capital
Waters will soon be in the studio. He revealed that he is working on a new solo album, his first since 1992's Amused to Death. Like The Final Cut, it's another concept album about war, but as Waters points out, he's been writing about it since 1968. .
"One of the first songs I wrote was 'Corporal Clegg'. I've always been into that socialist, humanist idea that there has to be a better way to deal with it. We have to start deconstructing the idea that somehow socialism has lost, and capitalism won and that the free market is the answer to everything and that everything will take care of itself and everyone will live happily ever after. No, that won't happen, things don't work that way," he is convinced.
One of the songs that may or may not end up on the album is a protest song, says the musician.
"In it, he says that if you're one of those people who likes Pink Floyd, but doesn't like my political views - you can get dressed," Waters points out with a laugh.
Bonus video:
