10 Surprising Roger Waters Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

Roger Waters – the mastermind behind some of Pink Floyd‘s most iconic albums, is synonymous with thought-provoking lyrics, unforgettable live shows, and for better or worse, controversy.

However, there’s more to him than just stadium-filling performances and brilliant concept albums. In this post, we will get to know Waters a little better and we will explore everything from unexpected career twists to personal quirks – here are 10 surprising facts about the rockstar

10 Facts About Roger Waters

1. Over 450,000 people attended his “The Wall” concert in Berlin

There was no better way to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall than to have Roger Waters perform his iconic “The Wall” album.

And he did in style. Over 450,000 people attended the historic event, making it one of the largest rock concerts of all time. The concert featured performances by guest stars such as Cyndi Lauper, Van Morrison, Scorpions, Sinéad O’Connor, Joni Mitchell, and Bryan Adams among others.

2. He studied Architecture together with Nick Mason

Before Pink Floyd became one of the biggest bands in history, Roger Waters and drummer Nick Mason were classmates studying architecture at Regent Street Polytechnic (now the University of Westminster).

While they never became architects, their background in design likely laid the foundation for their conceptual albums and influenced the elaborate stage setups and grand visual storytelling of Pink Floyd’s iconic live shows.

3. Held the record for the highest-grossing tour by a solo artist

During his 2010-2013 The Wall Live tour Waters once again proved why he is a touring powerhouse. The world tour grossed over $458 million, making it the highest-grossing tour by a solo artist at the time.

However, for Floyd fans, the best moment of the tour was without a doubt the show at the O2 Arena in London when Roger was joined by none other but David Gilmour to perform ‘Comfortably Numb’.

4. In 2005, he released an opera based on the French Revolution

Roger Waters has always been a bold storyteller, but in 2005, he took his creativity to a new level with ‘Ça Ira’, an opera based on the French Revolution.

The three-act piece which took over 15 years to complete was a departure from his rock roots, featuring orchestral compositions and classical vocals. The project showcased his versatility as an artist.

5. Waters has been married five times and has three children

Roger’s personal life has been as dynamic as his career, with five marriages and three children from various relationships. His most recent marriage was in 2021 to Kamilah Chavis.

The rockstar lifestyle seems to be a magnet for marital problems and turbulent relationships, and Waters is no exception to the rule. On the positive side, his life experience has added layers of introspection and emotion to his lyrics.

6. Roger is a big fan of George Orwell and incorporates his work into his albums

Waters is deeply influenced by George Orwell’s dystopian themes, which often find their way into his lyrics.

For example, the album like ‘Animals’ (1977) was heavily inspired by Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘1984’. The author’s critiques of authoritarianism and societal control resonate deeply with his own political and philosophical views.

7. Waters is a staunch human rights and anti-war activist

Roger Waters has long been outspoken about human rights issues and his opposition to war. He is a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights which has made him a controversial yet influential figure.

He often criticizes governments and policies he sees as oppressive, and uses his platform to give a voice to the marginalized.

8. He is a supporter of socialism

Much like his former bandmate David Gilmour, Waters leans towards socialist ideals which is self-evident by his lyrics and public statements.

However, his leftist ideals took root in him long before he met any of his bandmates. Roger’s father (Eric Fletcher Waters), whom he never met because he died in World War II when Waters was only 5 months old, was a member of the Communist Party.

His mother (Mary Waters) was also a passionate supporter of socialist movements. Fun fact – Roger’s mom was Syd Barrett’s teacher in Junior school.

9. The idea for “The Wall” album came to him after spitting on a fan

One of the most legendary albums in music history, ‘The Wall’, was born out of a moment of frustration. Namely, during a 1977 concert in Montreal, Waters was so irritated by a rowdy fan that he spat on him.

This incident led him to reflect on his growing disconnect from the audience and to explore themes of alienation, authority, and emotional barriers, resulting in one of the most iconic rock albums of all time.

10. He loves fly-fishing and is an experienced fly caster

When he’s not making music or stirring up political debates, Waters enjoys the peaceful pastime of fly-fishing. He is an experienced fly caster and often retreats to rivers and lakes for some quiet time away from the spotlight.

His love of the water is something he shares with another member of Pink Floyd – Richard Wright who loved to sail on his yacht.

Final Thoughts

Roger Waters is more than just a rock legend – he’s a cultural icon and a true fighter for human rights and justice.

Whether it’s his deep lyrical themes, innovative stage productions, or concept albums, it’s undeniable that Roger has left a permanent mark on the world of music.

Hopefully these tidbits from his personal and professional life really surprised most of you, if not feel free to share more Waters facts below!