Pink Floyd's Iconic Pig: Evolution and Appearances After Roger Waters
Few symbols in rock history are as recognizable as the giant inflatable pig associated with Pink Floyd. Originally made famous during the Animals era, the pig continued to serve as a visual centerpiece for the band even after the departure of founding member and primary lyricist Roger Waters. From anatomical modifications to high-profile promotional stunts, the pig's journey post-Waters reflects the band's ongoing relationship with its own legacy.
Key Facts
- Anatomical Changes: For the 1987–1989 tour, the band added testicles to the pig to differentiate it from the version for which Roger Waters held image rights.
- Visual Variations: The pig appeared black with illuminated eyes during the Delicate Sound of Thunder performances.
- Warthog Designs: The 1994 tour featured warthog-like pigs with protruding tongues.
- Promotional Use: A replica was flown over the Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood to promote Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd.
- Legacy: A replica of the original pig, known as Algie, was used to promote the reissue of the band's first 14 studio albums in 2011.
The Late 1980s: Legal Maneuvers and Technical Glitches
During the 1987–1989 tour, the band faced a creative and legal challenge regarding the pig's image rights, which were held by Roger Waters. To circumvent this, David Gilmour noted that the band added testicles to the inflatable. This modification served as a way to create a distinct version of the icon.
The pig's appearances during this era were not always seamless. On June 10, 1988, at the Beaujoire stadium in Nantes, France, the pig flew over the crowd for only a brief moment before it was seen to deflate.
Despite these hiccups, the pig remained a staple of their live spectacle. In the Delicate Sound of Thunder concert video, the pig is flown over the audience during the performance of "One of These Days," appearing in a striking black color with illuminated eyes.
The 1990s: Warthogs and Withdrawn Art
The band's interaction with the pig symbol took a peculiar turn in September 1990. Pink Floyd attempted to add a "deflated" pig to a Christie's London auction of animation art from The Wall film, which was being held by Roger Waters. However, the lot was withdrawn before the auction officially commenced.
By the 1994 tour, the design evolved further. The band utilized two warthog-like pigs featuring protruding tongues. These were positioned atop the speaker towers at the sides of the stage. Depending on the moment, they were either left deflated or dropped to the ground following the song "One of These Days." While these events occurred during the Pulse tour, footage of the pigs falling was edited out of the subsequent VHS, Laserdisc, DVD, and Blu-Ray releases.
Later Appearances and Third-Party Use
The pig's presence extended beyond the band's own tours. To promote the compilation Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd, Capitol Records flew a replica of the original Animals pig over the Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood, California.
Interestingly, a 40-foot inflatable pig believed to be from the 1988 tour found a second life with another act. Purchased by Mike Luba, manager for the band The String Cheese Incident, from a former Pink Floyd stagehand, the pig was repaired by Nga Keith. It was flown over the audience at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on September 20, 2003, during a cover of "Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)."
The Return to Battersea
The pig eventually returned to its most famous association: Battersea Power Station. During the Live 8 reunion, which saw the band reunite with Roger Waters, footage of Algie (the original pig) over the power station was displayed on a giant video screen.
In 2011, a replica of Algie was tethered above Battersea Power Station on September 26 to promote the "Why Pink Floyd...?" campaign, which coincided with the reissue of the band's first 14 studio albums.
| Era/Event | Pig Description | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1987–1989 Tour | Modified with testicles | Attempt to bypass image rights |
| Delicate Sound of Thunder | Black with illuminated eyes | Flown during "One of These Days" |
| 1994 Tour (Pulse) | Warthog-style with tongues | Dropped from speaker towers |
| Capitol Records Promo | Replica of Animals pig | Flown over Hollywood tower |
| 2011 Campaign | Replica of Algie | Tethered at Battersea Power Station |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Pink Floyd add testicles to the pig in the late 80s?
David Gilmour stated this was an attempt to get around the fact that Roger Waters held the image rights for the original pig.
What happened to the pig during the Nantes concert in 1988?
The pig flew over the crowd at the Beaujoire stadium for a very short time before it deflated.
Were the falling pigs included in the Pulse home video releases?
No, the footage of the warthog-like pigs falling to the ground was edited out of the VHS, Laserdisc, DVD, and Blu-Ray versions of Pulse.
How did The String Cheese Incident acquire a Pink Floyd pig?
Their manager, Mike Luba, purchased a damaged 40-foot inflatable pig from a former Pink Floyd stagehand, which was then repaired and used in Austin, Texas, in 2003.
What is Algie?
Algie is the name associated with the original inflatable pig seen over Battersea Power Station, which has been referenced in later reunions and promotional campaigns.