Roger Waters Takes Issue with How CNN ‘Cut Up’ His Recent Interview
Roger Waters took a moment during his show Wednesday night (August 10) in Columbus, Ohio to acknowledge his recent interview with CNN.
As previously reported, Waters sat down with CNN’s Michael Smerconish to talk about a variety of things. Among them was the controversial way he kicks off shows on his “This is Not a Drill Tour,” which he tells people who have a problem with his politics to “f— off to the bar right now.” When asked why he starts the show that way, Waters responded, “Because it’s a really good way to start the show. Apart from anything else, it sets a few things straight. It also encourages a lot of the people who’ve come to the show because they have listened to everything I’ve written since, you know, 1965 or wherever I started writing songs [laughs]. So, they do know what my politics are and they do understand where my heart is and they understand sort of why I’m there.”
Per Ultimate Classic Rock, Waters’ Columbus show was far from a sellout with the upper levels of the Nationwide Arena empty. Waters told the crowd that everyone in the upper levels had been upgraded to better seats. He addressed the attendance saying, “So the obvious fact is, we didn’t sell out. But we didn’t sell out, if you see what I mean.”
Waters added, “However much they cut up my interviews on CNN to make me look like a prick, I will not sell out. We will stand on our tiny platform of human rights forever!” (The full, uncut version of Waters’ CNN interview can be viewed below)
Waters’ next tour date is tomorrow night (August 13) in Long Island, N.Y. A complete list of upcoming dates can be found at RogerWaters.com.
10 Iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction No-Shows
In the nearly four decades history of Rock Hall induction ceremonies, there have been a number of no-shows by inductees. Some of them were due to health or other personal reasons. Others? Not so much.
Here are ten examples of no-shows in the history of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
But First, What To Expect From The 2024 Rock Hall Induction Ceremony
There will be very few no-shows at the 2024 Rock Hall induction ceremony. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 19 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. As previously reported, the 2024 ceremony will live stream on Disney+. An edited special will air on ABC at a later date, which will be available on Hulu the next day.
This year features a diverse slate of performers being inducted. They include Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, and A Tribe Called Quest. Other artists being honored with the Musical Excellence Award and the Musical Influence Award include Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick, Norman Whitfield, Alexis Korner, John Mayall, and Big Mama Thornton.
So far, the breakdown of presenters and additional performers is proving that the 2024 induction ceremony is setting itself up to be a banner year. Here’s a breakdown of the guest lineup:
- Ozzy Osbourne will be honored with an all-star tribute that includes Billy Idol, Jelly Roll, Chad Smith, Wolfgang Van Halen, Zakk Wylde, Maynard James Keenan, Robert Trujillo, Steve Stevens and Andrew Watt. Jack Black will be doing the honors of inducting Ozzy at the Rock Hall ceremony.
- Julia Roberts will be doing the honors of inducting Dave Matthews Band. The Academy Award-winning actress starred in the band’s music video for “Dreamgirl.”
- Foreigner will be honored by an all-star tribute band featuring Slash, Sammy Hagar, Chad Smith and Demi Lovato. (Foreigner is also set to perform).
- Jimmy Buffett will also receive the all-star tribute with a performance by James Taylor, Kenny Chesney and Mac McAnally.
- Inductee Peter Frampton will be inducted by Keith Urban and Roger Daltrey. (Frampton has been confirmed to perform.)
- Chuck D will do the honors of inducting Kool & the Gang.
- Inductee Mary J. Blige will be performing at the ceremony. Honoring Blige and helping induct her into the Rock Hall are Method Man, Dr. Dre, Ella Mai and Lucky Daye.
- Busta Rhymes will be performing at the Rock Hall ceremony in honor of inductees A Tribe Called Quest.
Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights
