Paul Rappaport shared insights about the tension between Roger Waters and the remaining Pink Floyd members in a recent interview with Classic Album Review.
“I think at that time it was tough because Roger [Waters] did not think they [Pink Floyd] would continue without him,” Rappaport said. “This was after ‘The Wall’ and after ‘The Final Cut.’ Roger had become such a bigger part of the band.”
“He had taken over for ‘The Wall.’ He said he was going to leave because he thought he needed to go on his own,” Rappaport continued. “David [Gilmour] and Nick [Mason] wanted to remain as Pink Floyd. He didn’t think they would do that. They asked, ‘Well, can we have the name?’ and he said, ‘Sure.’ ‘Cuz in a million years, he was so used to you know being bigger than life, he didn’t think they would do that.”
“So, he was kind of in shock when they wanted to move on,” Rappaport explained. “It was very tough because then it turned into a feud. And then it was you know the court thing this way that way. I was sort of right in the middle of it. And I’d worked with both of them right and admittedly it’s easier working with David and Nick. They’re just different people. It’s just the way it is.”
“But it’s like one in each ear, like Roger going, ‘What are they doing? What are they doing?'” he added. “And Nick and David are going, ‘What is he doing?’ and I’m like ‘Look guys I’m professional and I love all you guys and I’ve loved your music since you know even before I was in the record business. So I’m going to work for all of you like 110%. …'”
“But it was sad to see all of that. They’re still feuding to this day which I think hysterical. It’s like, ‘Guys nobody cares anymore.’ It’s like, ‘Stop, okay? We’re all older, stop,'” Paul concluded.
The conflict between Waters and his former bandmates spans decades of legal and personal disputes.
Research from Other Brick revealed that the breakup originated in the 1970s. Waters’ increasing creative control led to mounting frustration from David Gilmour and other members.
The situation culminated in December 1985. Louder Sound documented Waters’ official departure when he informed record companies and activated his contract’s exit clause.
Waters escalated the dispute to the High Court in October 1986. He attempted to dissolve Pink Floyd by declaring it creatively exhausted. Ultimate Classic Rock noted that Gilmour and Mason countered by announcing their plans to continue as Pink Floyd and create new material.
The parties reached an out-of-court settlement on December 23, 1987. The agreement permitted Gilmour and Mason to continue using the Pink Floyd name. Waters would receive royalties for his contributions. The legal resolution failed to repair the personal relationships between the former bandmates.
