So I get an email last week from that nationally-known ticket agency inviting me to spend "an evening with Roger Waters" at the TD Banknorth Garden this coming July. Let me firmly state that, although Pink Floyd is probably my favorite all-time band, I wouldn’t go see their former bassist/frontman if I got free tickets, transportation, and a private audience with the guy after what I experienced at last summer’s Waters "concert." As a matter of fact, long-time readers might recall that I was so incensed after that concert that I wrote a scathing post denouncing the whole affair, including this:
Putting the politics aside for a moment (why can’t they just "shut up and sing?"), the Roger Waters concert was a disappointment of monumental proportions. The first set contained several songs from one of my personal favorite Floyd albums, Wish You Were Here. They weren’t too bad at first, but the more it went on, the more I asked myself, "Is it live, or is it Memorex?".[snip].Every song sounded EXACTLY as they do on the albums- nothing special- no extended solos. Nothing. Last night, I could have stayed home, played a Pink Floyd album, added audience noise (and barf on the seats) and simulated exactly the performance I witnessed for some 75 bucks..The disappointing "performance" was bad enough. When playing "Dogs" from my favorite Floyd album, Animals, a large pig balloon was released. Pretty cool, right? Just like the old days of Pink Floyd, right?.Well, not really. Painted on both sides were the words, "Save your bacon. Vote for Democrats this election." The movie screen behind the stage flashed George Bush images- not portraying him in a good light for sure. Then came the images of the bad "wall." Some of the Berlin Wall. Then, images of the wall Israel has built to stop the homicide bombers- portrayed to be the moral equivalent of the Berlin Wall. Then he sang a new "song" called "Leaving Beirut". It is all about how wonderful the Arab people are, and how WE are the cause of the problems in that area of the world..I should have left the concert early on, instead of staying to the bitter end. When I left, not only was I totally pissed off about the fact that much of the "music" was obviously tape, I was angry about having anti-American sentiments shoved in my face- and am now convinced that Roger Waters stands as a good example of the rebirth of European anti-semitism..Sometimes fond memories of people and events from times past are best left that way- memories. I will continue to listen to my collection of Pink Floyd and Roger Waters music- but will save money in the future by not going to any more of his "live" performances (Democratic rallies) and will not be purchasing any new "music" he might put forth.
I meant it back in August, and I still feel the same now. Isn’t it ironic that this mysterious and iconic performer, who used to come around only once a decade or so, is now touring on a fairly regular basis? Is it a newfound love of wishing to connect with audiences? Not hardly, as Waters’ dislike of being in public, the supposed "reluctant" star, is well documented. No, I would say his newfound love of touring simply coincides with his love of liberalism and desire to help elect Democrats in ’08.
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I would urge all patriotic Americans to avoid the Roger Waters concerts wherever they might be. You’ll be glad you did…