Disturbed frontman David Draiman recently opened up about his disappointment with Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters. He explained why he felt betrayed by the legendary musician’s political stance. Draiman shared his thoughts during an interview on The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan.
The Disturbed vocalist expressed his feelings about Waters’ shift in political direction. This was particularly significant given his longtime admiration for Pink Floyd.
“Here’s the thing. I grew up on Pink Floyd. I loved Pink Floyd. It was such a massive betrayal when he went in the direction that he did,” Draiman said.
Draiman went on to criticize Waters’ political positions. He questioned his commitment to human rights.
“He’s just such a hypocrite. He’s a hypocrite. He’s not for human rights. He’s for this weird dictator-driven socialist, you know, I don’t even understand what he’s trying to stand for,” he continued.
The musician concluded by stating his unwillingness to engage with Waters in dialogue.
“I’d be willing to sit down and have a conversation with just about anybody except someone that can no longer be reached. And I’m very very convinced that Roger Waters can no longer be reached,” Draiman added.
This latest criticism represents an escalation in the ongoing feud between the two musicians. The conflict has been brewing for several years over their fundamentally different political perspectives.
The tension between the two musicians reached a boiling point in 2023 when Draiman posted an Instagram video directly calling Waters an antisemite. This public confrontation was triggered by Waters’ use of Nazi imagery during his concerts. Draiman and many others found this deeply offensive and inappropriate. The imagery included Waters wearing a Nazi-style uniform during performances. This sparked widespread controversy and condemnation from Jewish organizations and fans alike.
Waters has faced increasing scrutiny for his political activism, particularly his support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. His concerts have become platforms for his political messages. They often feature provocative imagery and statements that have drawn criticism from various quarters. The controversy has led to some venues canceling his shows and has divided his fanbase.
The feud highlights the broader cultural divide over politics in the entertainment industry. Artists are increasingly taking public stances on controversial issues.
