ROGER WATERS FACTS:
Genre: Prog Rock, Opera
Hometown: Great Bookham, Leatherhead, Surrey
Albums: Music from The Body (1970); The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking (1984); When the Wind Blows (1986); Radio K.A.O.S. (1987); The Wall – Live in Berlin (1990); Amused to Death (1992); In the Flesh – Live (2000); Flickering Flame: The Solo Years Volume 1 (2002); Ça Ira (2005)
Awards:
Hits: "Radio Waves," "Sunset Strip," "What God Wants Part One"
Other: Lyricist, vocalist, and bass player for Pink Floyd.
Though he is perhaps most known for being the lead singer and bassist of Pink Floyd, over the last 25 years Roger Waters has made a name for himself with a successful solo career. He has managed to maintain the progressive and psychedelic elements that typified his time with Pink Floyd while infusing some of his own style to create a sound all his own.
After the release of Pink Floyd's last album, The Final Cut, in 1983, Waters wasted little time embarking on an ambitious solo career. His first concept album, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking, was released in 1984 and was an immediate success. The album focuses on the internal monologue of a man going through a midlife crisis. While it garnered mixed reviews from critics, it was popular among fans. The record was certified gold and featured contributions from a number of other famous artists, including guitarist Eric Clapton.
While he was touring in support of the album, Waters would continue to play some of the most popular Pink Floyd hits. During this time he also contributed to the soundtrack of When the Wind Blows. His next release was 1987's Radio K.A.O.S - another concept album. The songs revolved around the life of a character who, despite being mute and regarded as a 'vegetable,' is actually extremely intelligent but cannot express his thoughts. Despite receiving more favorable reviews than his previous endeavor, it was not as as much of a commercial success.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Waters staged one of the largest live concerts ever, performing the famous Pink Floyd album The Wall in the area where the Berlin Wall used to be. More than 250,000 people attended and it was broadcast in 52 countries. The concert brought in the likes of Cindy Lauper, The Band, and the Scorpions to perform and re-ignited Waters' popularity.
In 1992, Waters released his third concept album, Amused to Death, which served as a commentary on western society. After that, it was seven years until he emerged with a new tour. Since 1999's wildly successful In the Flesh tour, Waters has not produced much new music, except for when he released an opera in 2005, Ça Ira. Despite his lack of new material, Waters still performs regularly including both solo work and Pink Floyd music.