9. Simplicity – The haters will probably say it’s because he couldn’t play bass for shit, but Roger’s song writing illustrates an appreciation for a simple song as much as one with a dozen changes. Maybe it’s true what they say that Gilmour played bass on the trickier parts, but the man could write a beautiful song. He also exhibits unparalleled understanding of what his surrounding musicians could add to his compositions.
8. Attention to Detail – Waters is the playful one who masterminded all of those brilliant background sounds like the soft rustles of nature, wood chopping, military machines, and my personal favorite, screaming at the top of his lungs at very low volume behind the music. Ultimately, Waters is an artist who loves the theatrics and it comes through both on stage and even more so in the studio.
7. Solo Career – For my money, there’s far more mileage in Roger Waters solo albums, the Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking, Amused to Death, the soundtrack to When the Wind Blows, and the Final Cut (give or take) than Gilmour’s solo collection with the phony Floyd. I’ll admit, Radio K.A.O.S. sucked ass, but everyone gets one mulligan. Plus, he wrote an opera in 2005, so that counts for something right? No? Well, regardless Gilmour’s albums are more pick and choose, while Waters has gripping concept albums that are solid end to end.
6. Pronunciation / Enunciation – There’s nothing more fun about listening to Roger Waters than singing along as he carefully enunciates his words, forming sentences like, “When Brezhnev took Afghanistan, Begin took Beirut, Galtieri Took the Union Jack.”
5. Backing Musicians – With bonafide superstars like Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and David Sanborn adding the technical chops to the solo albums, it’s almost possible to get over the fact that there is no Gilmour filling out the sound. Clapton in particular on Pros and Cons lays down some incredibly poignant otherworldly guitar leads.
4. He Got Jipped on the Band Name and Most Song Rights – Despite David Gilmour not being a founding member, he continued to tour with Nick Mason under the Pink Floyd moniker. Sure, Roger Waters seemingly behaved like a prick in the later years, but they still should have let the Pink Floyd name lie. As for the song rights, I’d say they both acted pretty bitchy in fighting over them, but they actually divided them up with Gilmour and his Pink Floyd getting the majority.
3. He’s a Badass – Anybody who calls Andrew Lloyd Webber a bastard and accuses him of stealing his most famous melody, the opening of Phantom of the Opera, from Echoes, has big cajones.
2. His Voice – Not only is his singing voice soothing like mentho-lyptus and his whispers mesmerizing, but it turns into a saxophone on call (Post War Dream).
1. The Wall – I rest my case.
Now I leave it up to you. Who’s your favorite of the two?
7 Responses
Who is your favorite member of Pink Floyd: Roger Waters or David Gilmour? NEITHER – MINE IS SYD. I’ve got a bike you can ride it if you like.
who is this pink floyd guy?
I’ll also side with Syd!
Ah, the debate rages on! I’ve seen both Waters without Floyd and Floyd without Waters, and it’s a friggin’ tie. Roger’s got the tunes, sure, but he needed 3 guitarists to cover Gilmour’s action on the IN THE FLESH tour stop I saw in Mexico City 2002. Conversely, PF’s needed outside songwriters to assist with the “concepts” on both A MOMENTARY LAPSE OF REASON and THE DIVISION BELL. And Syd? Yeah. Too bad about Syd–may he shine on, wherever he might be.
Roger Waters all the way!
Although David sure can play a mean guitar.
Great article! How’s this for another reason: The guy is 64 or 65, and still he storms around the stage, while holding down the bass rhythm, and getting playful with the audience. On the DSOTM tour, he regularly wore tight black T-shirts, and I didn’t see an extra ounce of fat on him. His arms look tough and sinewy. What I’m saying is: You’re damn right, he is a badass, and he looks the part. I only hope to be in such good shape when I’m 64!
And if that’s not enough, his voice is improving. I don’t mean that he’s better (or even as good) as on WYWH thru Pros and Cons, but he’s gotten stronger after nearly losing his ability altogether. When I heard The Wall in Berlin (1990), I nearly cried, because he seemed to have totally lost it. But then, the ITF tour was a significant improvement, and on the DSOTM tour he sounded even better. (Yes, I know there were some backing tracks, but I can tell the difference — you can’t tell me “The Fletcher Memorial Home” was prerecorded, and he sang it great, and that’s not an easy song to sing.)