The Events After Roger Waters Left Pink Floyd

Before we dive into the events following Roger Waters‘ departure from Pink Floyd, let’s look back at why he left in the first place.

Roger Waters was the driving force behind Pink Floyd, especially during the creation of iconic albums like Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Wall. He played a major role in writing the music and lyrics and had a strong influence on the band’s direction. The Wall was particularly significant to him, and he took great pride in it.

However, Waters’ desire for control grew excessive. He even had Richard Wright ousted from the band during the recording sessions of The Wall. This power struggle created tension within the group. During the period of those four albums, it became evident that Waters was the primary creative force, overshadowing his bandmates.

By the time they recorded The Final Cut, David Gilmour had not contributed a single song, making it essentially a solo project for Waters. Gilmour admitted he didn’t have the same work ethic as Waters, leading to further strain in their relationship.

The tension that built up over this period eventually led to a frayed relationship within the band. Waters decided to leave Pink Floyd in 1985 to pursue a solo career after the release of The Final Cut. His departure marked the end of an era for the band.

In the mid-eighties, Waters sued his former bandmates, David Gilmour and Nick Mason, over the use of the Pink Floyd name. This legal battle in 1986 further damaged their relationships and painted an ugly picture in the press. However, Waters later expressed regret over the lawsuit, admitting he was wrong to sue his bandmates.

Despite all the relational strains over the years, fans witnessed a long-awaited reunion on July 2, 2005. Pink Floyd performed together at the London Live 8 concert, with Roger Waters rejoining David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright. This performance was a significant moment, showing that despite their past conflicts, they could still come together for their fans and the music they created.