Roger Waters Under Fire For Nazi Uniform And Anne Frank Remarks At Berlin Concert

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Roger Waters Under Fire for Nazi Uniform and Anne Frank Remarks at Berlin Concert

Roger Waters, the co-founder and former member of Pink Floyd, has sparked controversy and outrage for wearing a Nazi-style uniform and making insensitive remarks about Anne Frank during his concerts in Berlin last week.

The 78-year-old rockstar performed two shows at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on May 17 and 18 as part of his This Is Not a Drill tour, which features songs from his solo albums and Pink Floyd classics.

During the concerts, Waters donned a black jacket, black gloves and a red armband that resembled the attire of SS officers, the elite Nazi paramilitary force. He also symbolically fired a gun into the crowd and displayed images of humanoid pigs and shady businessmen that some critics denounced as antisemitic stereotypes.

But what provoked the most backlash was his inclusion of Anne Frank’s name among a list of activists who were killed by authorities, such as Sophie Scholl, Mahsa Amini, George Floyd and Shireen Abu Akleh. Anne Frank was a Jewish teenager who hid from the Nazis in Amsterdam and wrote a famous diary before she was captured and died in a concentration camp.

Some Israeli and Jewish activists and officials accused Waters of desecrating Anne Frank’s memory and trivializing the Holocaust by comparing her to a Palestinian-American journalist who was allegedly shot by Israeli soldiers during a clash with militants.

“Good morning to every one but Roger Waters who spent the evening in Berlin (Yes Berlin) desecrating the memory of Anne Frank and the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust,” tweeted the official account of the State of Israel on Wednesday.

Berlin police said they were investigating Waters for incitement to hatred after receiving several complaints from concertgoers and online users. “We are investigating on suspicion of incitement to public hatred because the clothing worn on stage could be used to glorify or justify Nazi rule,” a police spokesperson told AFP.

Waters has not commented on the controversy, but he has previously defended his artistic choices and political views. He is an outspoken supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for economic pressure on Israel over its treatment of Palestinians. He has also criticized other musicians who perform in Israel, such as Radiohead, Nick Cave and Lana Del Rey.

In April, a court in Frankfurt ruled that Waters was not an antisemite after the city tried to cancel his show there over his alleged hostility towards Israel. Waters claimed that he condemned antisemitism unreservedly and that he was only criticizing the policies of the Israeli government.

Waters is known for his provocative and experimental style of music and visuals, especially on Pink Floyd’s 1979 album The Wall, which explores themes of isolation, alienation and fascism. The album was adapted into a film that featured disturbing imagery inspired by Nazi propaganda.

Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985 after a bitter dispute with his bandmates over creative control and royalties. He pursued a solo career and occasionally reunited with the other members for charity events. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and successful rock musicians of all time.

Conclusion

Roger Waters’ latest concerts in Berlin have stirred up controversy and criticism for his use of Nazi-style uniform and imagery and his remarks about Anne Frank. The rock legend faces a possible criminal investigation for incitement to hatred in Germany, where Nazi symbols are banned. Waters has not responded to the backlash, but he has previously expressed his support for Palestinian rights and his opposition to Israeli policies. His fans may appreciate his artistic vision and political stance, but others may find his actions offensive and insensitive.

FAQs

Why did Waters leave Pink Floyd?

Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985 after a bitter dispute with his bandmates over creative control and royalties. He claimed that he was the main songwriter and conceptual leader of the band, while the others disagreed. He also sued them for continuing to use the name Pink Floyd without him, but he later settled out of court.

Who is the richest member of Pink Floyd?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, David Gilmour is the richest member of Pink Floyd with an estimated net worth of $180 million. He is followed by Roger Waters with $150 million, Nick Mason with $150 million and Richard Wright with $70 million.

Does Roger Waters have a wife?

Roger Waters has been married four times. His current wife is Laurie Durning, an actress and filmmaker whom he married in 2012. His previous wives were Judy Trim (1969-1975), Lady Carolyne Christie (1976-1992) and Priscilla Phillips (1993-2001). He has three children from his previous marriages: Harry, India and Jack.

How many albums have Pink Floyd sold?

Pink Floyd have sold over 250 million albums worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Their most successful album is The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), which has sold over 45 million copies and remained on the Billboard charts for 741 weeks.