Roger Waters is the subject of an interesting interview in the latest issue of award-winning UK magazine, The Big Issue, published today.

In the interview, which benefits from a great cover shot and main article picture by Jimmy Ienner, Jr., Roger covers a number of different topics. Toby Manning's article begins with the question: "His reputation is of a misanthrope and his next project - an opera about the French Revolution - seems to confirm this. So why is Pink Floyd legend Roger Waters coming across all charming and cheerful?"

It covers such topics as Live 8 ("I definitely felt warm and cuddly towards everyone in the band"), capitalism and the creation of his charitable trust, how the French Revolution was a microcosm, or model, for what's happening in the world now, and his plans for putting The Wall on Broadway ("I may have been pissed off, but I was always deeply involved in the humour of all these situations").

The weekly magazine, with a cover date of 3rd to 9th October, is not sold in stores. It is a news and current affairs magazine written by professional journalists and sold on the streets by vendors looking to overcome the crises surrounding homelessness. Of the cover price of £1.40, £0.80 goes to the person selling it, the rest pays for production of the magazine and a contribution to the Big Issue Trust. It can be found in many regular locations (or "pitches") in major UK cities. The tagline on the cover puts it succinctly: "Working not begging".

The magazine is a combination of hard-hitting current affairs journalism and critical, incisive writing about the world of arts and entertainment. Its high standard of reporting has won the magazine a brace of high-profile media awards.

The inspiration for the magazine came from Street News, a newspaper sold by homeless people in New York, which Gordon Roddick of The Body Shop saw on a visit to the States. With the assistance of The Body Shop International, Roddick and A. John Bird launched The Big Issue in September 1991, initially as a monthly publication in London. In June 1993, The Big Issue went weekly, and regional sister titles were later established. Subsequently editions were also launched in Sydney - Australia, Cape Town - South Africa and Los Angeles - USA.

The Big Issue aims to:
    * Enable homeless people to earn a legal income through opportunities to help themselves
    * Invest profits in services to help homeless people and Big Issue vendors tackle obstacles to them helping themselves
    * Provide people with a voice in the media
    * Produce a quality magazine which engages readers with issues that affect their lives but are overlooked by other media
    * Provide an example of a socially responsible business and an alternative to conventional charity as a response to homelessness

The Big Issue campaigns on behalf of homeless and socially excluded people. It is not part of any other media group, and guards its independence fiercely. It has no party political allegiance.

Since 1996, when George Michael broke his silence to talk exclusively to the magazine, The Big Issue has become renowned for its exclusive celebrity interviews - stars from The Spice Girls and Kate Moss to Arnold Schwarzenegger and David Beckham have all been profiled in its pages. Guest editors have included artist Damien Hirst and author Irvine Welsh. The Big issue also conducts major interviews with key political figures. Roger Waters is very selective with his interviews, so this shows how well-respected The Big Issue is.

Always a good read, the inclusion of the interview with Roger makes this week's issue even more interesting. And it benefits members of our society who really need our help to get back on their feet.

Our thanks to Patrick at the Big Issue head office for his help bringing this news to you.