Pink Anderson’s Grave

Have you ever wondered how Pink Floyd got their name? Well pull up a chair and I’ll tell you a story about an iconic British rock and roll band, an old blues musician, and…Spartanburg?

According to Syd Barrett, singer/songwriter/guitarist for Pink Floyd, he was perusing the liner notes of a blues album by Blind Boy Fuller when two names jumped out at him. A legend was born. Pink Floyd is a juxtaposition of the names of Carolina bluesmen Pinckney “Pink” Anderson and Floyd Council.

Pink was born in 1900 in Laurens, South Carolina and grew up in Greenville and Spartanburg. At the age of 14, he joined a traveling medicine show and entertained the crowds while the “doctor” peddled his snake oil.

Pink spent his life touring and performing around the southeast and recorded several records, but never achieved widespread fame. He passed away in 1974 and is buried in Spartanburg. His son, Alvin “Little Pink” Anderson still performs occasionally.

Now for the fun part! His grave is easy to find and fans often visit Pink and leave little mementos. He is buried in Lincoln Memorial Gardens on Cannon’s Campground Road, near Mary Black Hospital. Turn into the entrance nearest the hospital and immediately pull over. Pink’s final resting place is clearly marked and is located in the first group of graves on the left hand side of the drive. Be sure and tell him I said hello!

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