Roger Waters Explains Why He Doesn’t Really Care About Eddie Van Halen and AC/DC
via Roger Waters / Youtube
In the vast landscape of rock and roll, every artist charts their unique course. For Roger Waters, the journey began with Pink Floyd, a band that became synonymous with groundbreaking music. While Waters’s influence on the band’s direction is undeniable, he was never one to follow the conventional norms of the music industry.
During the early days of Pink Floyd, Waters was already pushing boundaries.
He sought to create melodies that transcended the typical verse/chorus structure prevalent in rock music. His music became a canvas for his emotions, a way to explore his upbringing and the complexities of life. While Waters was crafting his distinctive sound, another force was emerging in the music world: Van Halen.
Van Halen, led by the unparalleled guitar skills of Eddie Van Halen, quickly became a global sensation. Their electrifying energy and Eddie’s revolutionary tapping technique on the guitar set them apart. Yet, despite Van Halen’s acclaim and Eddie’s status as a guitar virtuoso, Waters remained indifferent.
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In a conversation with Joe Rogan, Waters confessed his lack of interest in bands like AC/DC and musicians like Eddie Van Halen.
He acknowledged Eddie’s talent but expressed his disinterest, stating,
“I couldn’t care less about AC/DC or Eddie Van Halen or any of that stuff. Who? I don’t go ‘Who?’ Because I obviously know the name. And I’m sure Eddie’s brilliant and a great guitar player and wonderful… But that just doesn’t interest me.”
However, despite Waters’s indifference, fate would bring him and Eddie together on a musical project. Waters collaborated with film composer Ennio Morricone on a song called ‘Lost Boys Calling’ for the film The Legend of 1900. While Waters contributed to the song’s composition, it was Eddie Van Halen who delivered a soulful guitar solo, showcasing a different side of his musical prowess.
Interestingly, while Waters may have remained uninterested, his former Pink Floyd bandmate David Gilmour acknowledged Eddie’s extraordinary talent. Gilmour expressed his admiration for Eddie’s guitar techniques, highlighting the level of skill Van Halen possessed.
