Why Roger Waters Fired His Son

In an unexpected turn of events back in 2016, Roger Waters decided to let go of his son, Harry Waters.

Harry revealed in a recent Rolling Stone piece that he will be playing keys for several future shows with Brit Floyd, the well-known Pink Floyd tribute band.

Despite not having met any of the Brit Floyd members, Harry expressed confidence in his ability to seamlessly integrate into the group. He told Rolling Stone:

“I’ve been playing this music for 30 years or so. I think we’ll be OK without a rehearsal.”

Waters and His Son’s Musical Collaboration

Harry had been an integral part of Roger’s band for 14 years, primarily playing the keyboard and organ. However, his tenure came to an abrupt end just before Christmas of 2016 as the Us + Them tour was gearing up.

According to Rolling Stone’s account, Roger went to Harry’s home in California, where he delivered the news of his termination from the band. The reshuffling left only keyboardist John Carin and guitarist Dave Kilminster in the lineup.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Harry admitted to being uncertain about the reasons behind Roger’s decision. He speculated:

“I think he just wanted a change of blood, something new, something fresh.
“I’m not sure of his exact reasoning, but everyone except two people got fired.”

Moving On and Finding New Musical Paths

Post his departure from his father’s band, Harry explored musical projects unrelated to Pink Floyd, including the formation of a jazz band. Additionally, he ventured into composing music for shows like Downton Abbey.

His musical journey took a different turn when he toured with Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade earlier in the year. The band covered songs from Pink Floyd’s 1977 release, Animals.

It was Brit Floyd’s manager who reached out to Harry about the possibility of making guest appearances with the tribute act. Currently commemorating the 50th anniversary of The Dark Side Of The Moon, Brit Floyd has scheduled three shows, during which Harry, along with former Pink Floyd contributors Durga McBroom and Scott Page, is set to make a guest appearance. PJ Olsson, the lead vocalist for the Alan Parson Live Project, is also part of the lineup.

The plan is for Harry to contribute to performances of “Time,” “The Great Gig in the Sky,” and “Pigs.” While unsure if Brit Floyd will extend the invitation beyond the anniversary shows, Harry expressed his continued passion for playing Pink Floyd’s music.

“If they want me to do more, I would be interested,” he stated, emphasizing that despite being let go by his father, his dedication to Pink Floyd’s music remains unwavering.