Chrispy states that the story that Roger Waters established residency in Switzerland to avoid UK taxation is not true. I'll defer to him as I have not read the Pink Floyd texts he has. Apologies to Roger Waters, who is still a Socialist in good standing, it appears.
ORIGINAL POST:
(The original title of this post was Roger Waters - Socialist Tax Exile. I changed it because it was not fair to him (see below) and because I thought the new one mocked my original (incorrect) post pretty well.)
Chrispy asked when Roger Waters lived in Switzerland. Like many UK rock stars, he fled the country in the mid 1970s to avoid the high taxes then in place. I can't remember exactly where everybody went, but I do know Waters avoided his taxes in Switzerland, which is where he wrote most of The Wall.
Like I said, when the money started to roll in, I guess Waters decided he wasn't such a socialist after all.
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The article you've linked to is inaccurate.
I've read about Waters living in Switzerland in many different places. This is just a link I could find.
Yeah, well... if it's in many different places find me one other citation, since it's written in countless places that "The Wall" was written by Roger, at home, in England.
Seriously, you've made a bold statement.
Back it up.
I read this originally in a book called "The British Invasion," which I had when I was in high school. I don't have a copy of it.
Now you're STARTING to get some of the story right.
You were so quick to jump on the "oh look, here's another full of shit socialist" that you forgot to do some real research. Relying on a book you read in high school to call out Mr. Waters?
I'd suggest a book called "Saucerful of Secrets," or read Nick Mason's new book, or even search out a few more articles on the 'net and maybe you can fill in the holes.
In fact, here's something Gilmour has said about this very issue:
"DG - Well, this is where I live. I don't want to move out and live anywhere else. And it's a form of imprisonment, and you're selling your freedom. And if you become a tax exile, you're not allowed back here for the period or you're only allowed a certain amount a year and not allowed to do all sorts of things. It's not what I like. I mean I made a... although I'm not any keener to pay the tax than anyone else is, well, not the amount anyway. So I have made a concession towards it, in going abroad to make this record. 'Cause that will make the tax burden a little bit lighter. But, um, it will still be quite a high rate anyway, but it's just not worth selling. My freedom isn't for sale like that."
And he never even pretended to believe in Socialism.
The Floyd had ALWAYS worked in England, and before "Animals" had sunk 3million pounds into a studio/office space (talk about putting money back into the local economy) in London. They did preproduction work for "The Wall" at Brittania Row, for God's sake.
It was not until the Norton-Warburg fiasco (you might want to do some research on that as well)that the Floyd realized they had been ripped off - by their Venture Capitalist financial advisors, no less - and nearly went bankrupt. Steve O'Rourke was the one who told them they had to do "The Wall" abroad, although they had always planned on doing it at Brittania Row. In fact, "The Wall" was recorded overseas precisely to help pay their back taxes.
Seriously, if they were tax exiles, why did they build a giant studio in London?
In fact, Waters is often cited as one of the FEW British rock stars who did not flee his homeland during the 70's.
Why does this bother me so much?
Why do you think?
You don't see a reason to be skeptical?
You're joking, right?
Chris -
I removed my comment and updated my post. What more do you want me to do? I've seen this version of the birth of The Wall in more than a few places. I'm willing to believe that your sources are better.
Failing to make his point (ie, that socialists are full of it), Dave resorts to sarcasm.
Guess this is the "thick skin" he relied on at Yale.
Chris -
Whoa there. Where is the sarcasm?
Jesus, dude, you showed me that the info I had was wrong and I posted a correction on the blog stating that it was wrong. Then I posted ANOTHER post showing how the information I had was improved by posting it on a blog.
What's thin skinned here? Seriously, show me. You've made a bold statement. Back it up.
How about the (edited) title of your post?
I was mocking myself for God's sake.
Jesus. Who's got the thin skin here?
If you were mocking yourself, then I apologize. I thought you were trying to incite with your "Paragon of Virtue" line.
Roger was very upset when he read your original post. He's certainly not a paragon of virtue, but it's clear you were relishing what you saw as hypocrisy from this rich leftist.
What was the highest tax rate in England in the 70's? Like 80%?
Seriously, Dave, I love you, man.
Poopy head.
I believe AND I AM NOT STATING THIS AS ABSOLUTE FACT, that at one point the highest effective rate of taxation reached 90% in the UK.
I also am under the impression that Pete Townshend and The Who were another band that stuck it out in the UK despite this.
As for relishing the hypocrisy of a left-wing elitist, there's so much to go around that I don't need Roger Waters to get my daily fill.
Oh man, did I enjoy that.
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