No Pink Floyd reunion in sight (opinion): How Gilmour and Waters’ feud over politics deepened

David Gilmour has made it abundantly clear that he has no intention of sharing the stage with former Pink Floyd bandmate Roger Waters ever again. Speaking to The Guardian, Gilmour firmly stated he would "absolutely not" perform alongside Waters, in a stance he’s held for years that's heartbreaking for some fans. This decision stems largely from a clash over Waters’ political positions, including his controversial statements on Israel, Ukraine, and the United States.

Waters, known for his bold and often divisive views, has compared Israel to Nazi Germany and labeled Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as "not unprovoked" (while critiques of Netanyahu are often entirely valid, given the current campaign of bombing and deliberately starving people in Gaza, one freely wonders how Putin was "provoked" into territorial expansion, especially if they are wishing to avoid conflict). These remarks by Waters have widened the rift between him and Gilmour, deepening long-standing personal and ideological differences.

Gilmour expressed a strong disapproval of what he considers Waters’ support for certain authoritarian leaders, saying, "I tend to steer clear of people who actively support genocidal and autocratic dictators like Putin and Maduro."

Gilmour states that his values, especially regarding the treatment of women and the LGBTQ+ community, stand in stark opposition to Waters’ apparent willingness to overlook these issues. Instead, Gilmour stated he’d much rather perform with the late Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright, whom he described as "one of the gentlest and most musically gifted people I’ve ever known."

What intensified the Pink Floyd feud?

This conflict between the former bandmates became even more public when Gilmour’s wife and Pink Floyd lyricist, Polly Samson, criticized Waters on social media, calling him "a Putin apologist" and accusing him of lip-synching.

Posting on Twitter (or what the world's richest fascist calls "X"), she accused Waters of being "anti-Semitic to rotten core." Gilmour openly supported his wife’s comments, remarking that "every word demonstrably true." Waters responded, dismissing their confrontational statements as "incendiary and wildly inaccurate."

Their exchanges have only further spotlighted the strained relationship and ideological chasm between the two political-minded musicians. The consequences of Waters’ outspoken political views have extended beyond his relationship with Gilmour. Last year, BMG, a German music publishing company, distanced itself from Waters (with Rogers stating he was "fired").

While he was set to release a re-recorded version of Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon with BMG, the deal unraveled when Thomas Coesfeld, who became CEO of BMG, opted not to support the project. The album was later released through Cooking Vinyl, a U.K.-based label, showcasing how Waters’ remarks have impacted his professional collaborations. This tension had also reportedly delayed Pink Floyd’s significant financial negotiations.

Sony Music, which recently acquired the rights to Pink Floyd’s recorded music and band likeness in a deal estimated to be worth around $400 million, encountered delays partially due to Waters’ divisive comments.

How the feud impacts Pink Floyd's legacy

Pink Floyd’s music, particularly landmark albums like The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Wall, remains profoundly influential, yet the legacy of the band has often been overshadowed by internal conflict and clashing personalities. Gilmour and Waters initially worked together to bring Pink Floyd global fame with a sound that blended progressive rock with thought-provoking social commentary.

However, after Waters left the band in 1985 amid acrimonious legal disputes, Pink Floyd continued under Gilmour’s direction, shifting their musical focus to a more atmospheric and melodic style that stood apart from Waters' intense, politically charged narratives.
Regarding the split, Gilmour said "I have no regrets about it whatsoever."

The unresolved tension between Gilmour and Waters remains a focal point for many Pink Floyd fans, with little hope of reconciliation. Both musicians have crafted solo careers that reflect their divergent values. It's reminiscent of the split between Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, where Garfunkel said years later: "What I would have done is take a rest from Paul, because he was getting on my nerves. The jokes had run dry..."

Gilmour has built a reputation for his iconic guitar solos, particularly on tracks like "Comfortably Numb" and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," while Waters has ventured further into politically charged projects. For many, the division within Pink Floyd symbolizes a broader artistic conflict, leaving fans with the legacy of their music but little expectation of unity. Oddly, Putin further breaking up Pink Floyd is similar to Yoko Ono being accused of breaking up the Beatles — though Yoko probably has considerably less blood on her hands.