Corey Feldman recently shared his thoughts on Roger Waters’ behavior, suggesting that mental health issues might explain the Pink Floyd co-founder’s controversial statements and actions. The comments were made during an interview on Get on the Bus.
Feldman discussed his personal experiences with Waters and offered his perspective on what might be driving the musician’s recent controversies.
“I don’t know what’s going on with him [Roger Waters] to be honest. It’s very troubling,” Feldman said. “I mean, you know, I thought we were friends, but then he actually kind of freaked out on me one time and it wasn’t cool. I’m not going to get into that, but like I think he’s a little bit bipolar.”
The actor continued to speculate about Waters’ mental state while acknowledging his limitations in making such assessments.
“I mean, I’m not a therapist. I’m not a psychiatrist. I can’t say,” he continued. “But there’s something going on there cuz like sometimes he’s real nice and then sometimes not so nice. So, but I think that’s maybe also just being a genius artist. I don’t know.”
Feldman then shifted to addressing Waters’ political statements, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“I think he’s maybe a bit misunderstood, but I definitely don’t like the fact that, you know, he says that he’s for human rights, but then he only gives difference to the Palestinian side and has no love for the Israeli side,” Feldman said. “I don’t understand how you could be so anti-Nazi and so anti-World War II because your father was killed in World War II and then turn around and have an anti-semitic statement saying, ‘Well, it’s the Israelis versus the Palestinians.’ No. How about we’re all losing lives, we’re all in trouble, there’s pain for everybody, and let’s just try and end it. You know, let’s try and love everyone equally, but let’s not like let’s not counter one side or the other and say they’re the ones that are wrong because now you’re weighing your hat into it and you’re not even in the game. You’re not a Jew, so you have no skin in the game.”
These comments come amid ongoing controversies surrounding Waters’ activism and public statements over the past decade.
Feldman’s observations about Waters’ behavior patterns echo themes that have long been present in Pink Floyd’s music, particularly regarding mental health struggles. The band’s history with psychological challenges dates back to their early years. This history has significantly influenced their artistic output.
Paste Magazine reported that Barrett’s mental health problems had a profound impact on Floyd bassist Roger Waters’ songwriting. Themes of mental illness became frequent in the band’s later releases. This influence can be heard prominently in albums like Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here, the latter serving as a tribute to their departed friend.
Waters himself has faced documented struggles with stress and health issues during his time with Pink Floyd. Rova noted that before a Philadelphia concert in 1977, Waters was injected with tranquilizers while suffering from hepatitis. He described it as “the longest two hours of my life” while trying to perform.
The tensions within Pink Floyd eventually led to Waters’ departure from the band in 1985. Wikipedia documented that Waters left amid creative differences and initiated legal proceedings against his former bandmates. He later stated in 2005 that the period had been a “bad, negative time” and expressed regret about his approach.
These historical patterns of conflict and mental health challenges within Pink Floyd’s legacy provide context for Feldman’s current observations about Waters’ behavior. The patterns suggest that the musician’s struggles may be part of a longer pattern that has influenced both his personal relationships and artistic expression throughout his career.
