#rogerwaters

Roger Waters  Pink Floyd - Palais des Sports de la Porte de Versailles, Paris, France. June 24 1974. Photo by Jean Gaumy.

sketchbook excerpts feat. the Floyd

Img Source: https://variety.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GettyImages-179489260.jpg Former frontman of Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, took to social media on Friday evening to defend himself against allegations of antisemitism, a situation he has frequently faced in recent years. Waters asserted that the criticism he received following his performance in Berlin was driven by individuals who sought to tarnish his reputation and stifle his voice due to disagreements with his political and moral beliefs. The Berlin police confirmed that they had initiated an investigation into Waters' conduct and the imagery presented during his arena concerts in the city. However, Waters did not directly address the news of the police investigation in his post. In a Facebook statement, Waters clarified, "The elements of my performance that have been called into question unequivocally express opposition to fascism, injustice, and bigotry in all its manifestations. Any attempt to portray these elements differently is dishonest and politically motivated. The portrayal of an unhinged fascist demagogue has been a consistent theme in my shows since Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' in 1980." A spokesperson for the Berlin police mentioned that Waters is being investigated on the grounds of "incitement to public hatred" due to concerns that his onstage attire could be perceived as glorifying or justifying Nazi rule. Displaying Nazi symbolism, endorsing the Holocaust, or engaging in antisemitic acts are illegal in Germany. It should be noted that reports claiming Waters wears a replica SS uniform as part of his performance are inaccurate. While the costumes may bear resemblance, they are intended to be satirical, regardless of the controversial and inappropriate act of mimicking firing a machine gun towards the audience. According to Berlin police, the findings of the investigation will be presented to the state's attorney within the next three months, who will then determine whether Waters will be indicted. Regardless of the outcome, the controversy surrounding Waters' tour is likely to persist, as several local government officials in England have already called for the cancellation of his upcoming appearances in the United Kingdom in response to the German controversy. The police intervention was prompted by complaints regarding the use of pseudo-Nazi costumes and imagery during a segment of Waters' concerts, dedicated to "The Wall." Additionally, the renowned rock star has faced criticism for projecting the names of Holocaust victim Anne Frank and Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, described as having been killed for "being Palestinian." Some Jewish organizations and others argue that this juxtaposition equates Israel's actions with the death camps of Nazi Germany, which claimed the lives of millions. Waters also projected the names of other individuals he believes were murdered by the state, including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. In his Facebook post, Waters further emphasized, "Throughout my life, I have consistently spoken out against authoritarianism and oppression wherever I have witnessed them. As a child, the name Anne Frank was frequently mentioned in my household, serving as a perpetual reminder of the consequences of unchecked fascism. My parents fought against the Nazis in World War II, with my father making the ultimate sacrifice. Regardless of the consequences I face due to these attacks, I will continue to denounce injustice and all those who perpetrate it." Before the concerts in Germany, Waters had stated on Facebook that although he would not directly address his pro-BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) and anti-Israel views during the performances, he firmly maintained that Israel is a "tyrannical racist regime." Waters is scheduled to perform in Frankfurt on Sunday night, following a successful appeal against a court order seeking to ban the concert. Frankfurt was not the only city attempting to cancel Waters' appearance, as the mayor of Munich led an unsuccessful effort to halt his show there. In response to persistent accusations of antisemitism, Waters has consistently emphasized that his criticism is directed specifically towards Israel and not Jews in general. He has been a staunch supporter of the pro-Palestinian BDS movement, whose advocates distributed materials at his German concerts, even as Jewish protesters were kept away. A notable aspect of Waters' Berlin shows was a staging element during the song "In the Flesh," where he wore a black coat and armband reminiscent of those associated with Nazis, although the symbol of two hammers was a parody of the swastika. He was also handed a prop machine gun, which he theatrically "fired" at the audience, accompanied by sound effects. This sequence follows a spoken-word segment where individuals identifying as "queer," "looking Jewish," Black (referred to by a racial slur), and someone smoking a joint are singled out as potential targets for the fictional shooting. Since 1979, Pink Floyd fans have understood the song and its staging, as well as its adaptation in the film version of "The Wall," as a form of satire within the context of a story about a rock star descending into fascism due to his delusional state. However, some critics acknowledge the levels of irony inherent in the performance while expressing concern over Waters mimicking shooting the audience while dressed in an attire reminiscent of the SS, especially considering the Holocaust's significance. The interpretation of the imagery is further complicated by Waters' vehement statements against Israel in subsequent years, which have ignited controversy among Jewish organizations and their supporters. The accusations of antisemitism have been persistent enough for Waters to address them at the beginning of his Berlin concerts. Text displayed on-screen, accompanied by a voiceover, sought to refute the charges: "Regarding matters of public interest: A court in Frankfurt has ruled that I am not an anti-Semite." The following screen read, "Excellent. Just to be clear. I condemn anti-Semitism unconditionally." However, writer Nicholas Potter, who attended one of the Berlin concerts and wrote about it for Belltower News, contradicted Waters' claim of legal vindication. Potter clarified, "Waters' assertion that a court ruled he is not an antisemite is false. The Administrative Court in Frankfurt am Main merely granted an emergency request by the singer to proceed with the concert at Festhalle Frankfurt. The city had attempted to prevent the concert based on the Jewish community's request. This action was justified due to the venue's historical significance, as it was used for the deportation of Jews during the Nazi era. A similar attempt was made in Munich to ban the concert at the Olympiahalle, but it was not possible for legal reasons, according to a city council resolution." The controversy surrounding Waters is likely to shift to England or may have already done so. Christian Wakeford, a Member of Parliament in Manchester, expressed his stance on social media, stating, "Roger Waters has a long history of despicable attacks against Jewish people. His recent shows in Berlin demonstrate why he should not be welcomed in Manchester. I have written a letter to the AO Arena outlining why his concert next month should be canceled... I hope reason prevails and this individual and his abhorrent views are not welcomed anywhere near Manchester." Supporters of the Palestinian cause regard Waters as a courageous celebrity who dares to support their movement, despite facing criticism from the Jewish community. On the other hand, Waters' former Pink Floyd bandmate, David Gilmour, endorsed a statement labeling him as "antisemitic to the core" and penned by his wife, Polly Samson. Samson further criticized Waters as a Putin apologist and described him as deceitful, thieving, hypocritical, tax-avoiding, lip-synching, misogynistic, and consumed by envy. Gilmour quote-tweeted his wife's message, affirming that he believed every word to be "demonstrably true." Although Waters has remained defiant in the face of criticism and even faced boycotts and canceled concerts, he has made adjustments to his show in response to the accusations of antisemitism. Initially defending the use of the Star of David on a menacing pig that floated above the audience ("Like it or not, the Star of David represents Israel"), he has since replaced it with the logo of the Israeli arms company Elbit Systems. Known for his willingness to engage in political discourse where few other stars venture, Waters has also expressed his opinions on geopolitical conflicts unrelated to Israel or the Palestinians. He regularly criticizes American foreign policy, regardless of whether it is under Republican or Democratic administrations. Recently, despite his anti-authoritarian stance, he perplexed many fans by suggesting that Russia had valid historical reasons for its aggression against Ukraine and that the invasion was provoked. Later, during a streamed statement at the United Nations council, where he appeared at Russia's behest, he expressed a desire for both sides to work towards peace. While most Pink Floyd fans may overlook Waters' statements or disagree with them, in order to enjoy live performances of some of the most popular rock songs in history, his proclivity for unpopular positions may have caused some damage to his brand within the music industry. As a result, a proposed sale of the Pink Floyd catalog, potentially worth half a billion dollars, reportedly remains uncertain, with Waters' controversial views cited as one possible reason potential buyers might hesitate to enter into such a deal. Read the full article