Autographs used to be a simple way for fans to connect with their idols. But over time, the practice has turned into a booming business. Some people see signatures as valuable investments rather than personal keepsakes.
With the rise of online marketplaces, autographs can be sold for thousands of dollars. This shift has turned celebrities into walking commodities, where their signatures hold more financial value than sentimental meaning. Many stars have spoken out against this trend, and some have even stopped signing altogether.
Roger Waters is one of them. In a 2012 interview with the Daily Telegraph, the Pink Floyd icon made it clear why he refuses to give autographs. His reasoning goes beyond simple frustration—it’s about taking a stand against an industry that he believes has gone too far.
Taking a Stand Against the Autograph Market
Waters refuses to be part of the autograph industry. He stopped signing anything that could end up fueling the business of reselling signatures for profit. To him, the practice has turned into an exploitative trade rather than a genuine fan experience.
He specifically called out eBay, a platform where signed memorabilia can sell for high prices. Waters believes it’s unfair for someone to take a small part of him—his signature—and turn it into big money. He sees it as a transaction that benefits sellers, not artists or real fans.
Because of this, he has boycotted autographs entirely. Once he realized how widespread and frustrating the issue had become, he decided to stop signing for good. It’s his way of pushing back against an industry he wants no part of.
Why Roger Waters and Others Stopped Signing
The former Pink Floyd bassist shared, “I don’t sign any guitars or scratch-plates or anything like that anymore. There’s a little sort of industry that’s about eBay. It’s about getting a little bit of you that they can sell to somebody who cares, and I find that ugly.”
He specifically called out eBay, where people sell autographs to those willing to pay. To Waters, this has turned signatures into a business rather than a personal connection. He finds the entire practice “ugly” and wants no part of it.
He’s not alone in this stance. Ringo Starr made headlines in 2008 when he announced he would no longer sign autographs. Even Paul McCartney has admitted he finds the tradition odd and prefers to avoid it altogether.