Roger Waters: The Man Behind the Music

May 26, 2023, 3:30 p.m. Entertainment

Roger Waters: The Man Behind the Music

Roger Waters is a name that is synonymous with the band Pink Floyd. He is the co-founder, bassist, and singer-songwriter of the group, and is considered one of the greatest bassists of all time. He is also known for his solo work, and for his outspoken political views.

Waters was born in Great Bookham, Surrey, England, on September 6, 1943. His father, Eric Fletcher Waters, was a doctor and his mother, Mary, was a homemaker. Waters has two younger sisters, Margaret and Gillian.

Waters' parents died when he was very young. His father was killed in World War II, and his mother died of cancer when he was just nine years old. This had a profound effect on Waters, and he has said that it was the defining event of his life.

Waters was educated at the prestigious Cambridge University, where he studied architecture. It was here that he met Pink Floyd's other founding members, Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright.

The band was formed in 1965, and they quickly became one of the most popular and influential groups of their time. They released their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, in 1967.

The band's second album, A Saucerful of Secrets, was released in 1968. It was around this time that Barrett began to experience mental health problems, and he left the band in early 1969.

Waters took over as the band's primary songwriter, and their third album, More, was released later that year.

The band's fourth album, Ummagumma, was a double album released in 1969. It was followed by the release of their fifth album, Atom Heart Mother, in 1970.

The band's sixth album, Meddle, was released in 1971. It was around this time that Waters began to experiment with using synthesizers and other electronic devices in their music.

The band's seventh album, Obscured by Clouds, was released in 1972. It was followed by the release of their eighth album, The Dark Side of the Moon, in 1973.

The Dark Side of the Moon was an instant classic, and is often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time. It stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for 741 weeks, and has sold over 45 million copies worldwide.

The band's ninth album, Wish You Were Here, was released in 1975. It was followed by the release of their tenth album, Animals, in 1977.

Animals was a concept album about the dark side of humanity, and was inspired by George Orwell's novel, Animal Farm.

The band's eleventh album, The Wall, was released in 1979. It was a concept album about an alienated rock star, and was inspired by Waters' own experiences with mental illness.

The Wall was a massive success, and is one of the best-selling albums of all time. It has sold over 23 million copies worldwide.

The band's twelfth and final album, The Final Cut, was released in 1983. It was a concept album about the Falklands War, and was Waters' last album with the band.

After the release of The Final Cut, Waters left Pink Floyd. He was replaced by David Gilmour, and the band continued to tour and release albums without him.

Waters' first solo album, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking, was released in 1984. It was followed by the release of his second solo album, Radio K.A.O.S., in 1987.

Waters' third solo album, Amused to Death, was released in 1992. It was a concept album about the mass media, and was his most successful solo album to date.

In 2005, Waters reunited with Pink Floyd for a one-off performance at Live 8. The band performed together for the first time in over 24 years, and the performance was seen by over two billion people worldwide.

In 2010, Waters released his fourth solo album, The Wall Live. The album was a live recording of his tour in support of the album, and featured guest appearances from a number of musicians, including Pink Floyd's David Gilmour.

Waters has been married three times. His first wife, Judy Trim, was a teacher. They were married from 1969 to 1975, and have two children together, Harry and India.

Waters' second wife, Carolyne Anne, was a graphic designer. They were married from 1983 to 2001, and have one child together, Jack.

Waters' third wife, Laurie Durning, is an actress. They were married from 2013 to 2014.

Waters has been outspoken about his political views over the years. He is a strong critic of Israel, and has been a supporter of the Palestinian