John Lennon and Roger Waters stand tall as two of the most influential songwriters in music history. Their artistic imprints have forever changed the face of music.
Both are trailblazers, having crafted songs and albums that were revolutionary in their era, and which continue to awe listeners today. Their personal dynamics might have been prickly at times; for instance, Waters once had some choice words for Lennon.
John Lennon, a cornerstone of The Beatles, along with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, transformed the music landscape. From their humble beginnings in 1960, The Beatles evolved from catchy pop tunes to profound, psychedelic masterpieces.
On the other hand, Roger Waters, with Pink Floyd, redefined rock’s boundaries. Post the departure of Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters and David Gilmour formed a dynamic duo that arguably rivalled even the legendary Lennon-McCartney partnership.
From iconic albums like “The Dark Side of the Moon” to “The Wall”, Waters’ indelible mark is evident. Without his vision, Pink Floyd might not be the revered name it is today.
Despite Waters once dismissively referring to Lennon as a “silly boy”, implying Lennon was more enamored with fame than genuine passion for music, underlying respect existed between the two. A recent revelation by Farout highlighted Waters’ admiration for Lennon’s ‘Plastic Ono Band’ album from 1969.
Recalling his experience, Waters said, “It blew me away. I don’t recall where I was, but the memory is vivid. The climax of ‘Mother’ is astonishing. The sound quality of that album felt as groundbreaking as something like Music From Big Pink. When you hear such records, you’re instantly struck by their novelty and sheer brilliance.”
