Frank Robinson (Xylophone Man)
Encyclopedia
Frank Robinson was an eccentric street entertainer in Nottingham
, England
. He was by far Nottingham's best known busker
and was regularly seen around Nottingham City Centre
for over fifteen years. His favourite busking place was outside of the C&A store in the Lister Gate area of the city.
Little is known about Robinson's personal life or background. Robinson lived in Cotgrave
, south of Nottingham
, travelling to the city each day. His real name only became widely known following his death; to the people of Nottingham and beyond, he was simply and affectionately known as the 'Xylophone Man'.
Robinson played a small child's metallophone
(despite his nickname) with a very limited repertoire. His seemingly random hitting of bars was a familiar noise in the city centre and, despite his lack of musical ability, his excitable and enthusiastic approach to his instrument endeared him to the Nottingham public and also earned him something of a cult following.
The only interview he granted in his lifetime was with Nottingham media organisation LeftLion
. His death in July 2004 sparked genuine mourning from many of the city's people. BBC Radio Nottingham
placed a tributes page on its website which within hours had hundreds of messages from city's residents as well as people much further afield.
On November 10, 2005, a simple memorial was unveiled outside of the store where he had been seen regularly for the past fifteen years. Paying tribute to the Xylophone Man, the plaque reads "He played his Xylophone here for fifteen years, bringing a smile to the faces of the people of Nottingham".
Despite attempts from anti-social people to deface the plaque, the people of Nottingham have vigilantly kept it clean and new-looking, out of respect for the Xylophone Man.
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He was by far Nottingham's best known busker
Busking
Street performance or busking is the practice of performing in public places, for gratuities, which are generally in the form of money and edibles...
and was regularly seen around Nottingham City Centre
Nottingham City Centre
Nottingham city centre is the cultural, commercial, financial and historical heart of Nottingham, England. Nottingham's city centre represents the central area of the Greater Nottingham conurbation....
for over fifteen years. His favourite busking place was outside of the C&A store in the Lister Gate area of the city.
Little is known about Robinson's personal life or background. Robinson lived in Cotgrave
Cotgrave
-History:Cotgrave is a town in the borough of Rushcliffe, in Nottinghamshire, England, lying south east of Nottingham. With a relatively small population and an ancient heart that has largely escaped development Cotgrave has a village atmosphere...
, south of Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, travelling to the city each day. His real name only became widely known following his death; to the people of Nottingham and beyond, he was simply and affectionately known as the 'Xylophone Man'.
Robinson played a small child's metallophone
Metallophone
A metallophone is any musical instrument consisting of tuned metal bars which are struck to make sound, usually with a mallet.Metallophones have been used in music for hundreds of years. There are several different types used in Balinese and Javanese gamelan ensembles, including the gendér, gangsa...
(despite his nickname) with a very limited repertoire. His seemingly random hitting of bars was a familiar noise in the city centre and, despite his lack of musical ability, his excitable and enthusiastic approach to his instrument endeared him to the Nottingham public and also earned him something of a cult following.
The only interview he granted in his lifetime was with Nottingham media organisation LeftLion
LeftLion
LeftLion is a printed and online culture and listings magazine which covers Nottingham, with a specific focus on the local music and arts scene. It was originally set up by Alan Gilby, Tim Bates and Jared Wilson and the website was launched on 1 September 2003. The first issue of the Magazine came...
. His death in July 2004 sparked genuine mourning from many of the city's people. BBC Radio Nottingham
BBC Radio Nottingham
BBC Radio Nottingham is a BBC Local Radio station serving the English county of Nottinghamshire. It broadcasts on FM, AM, and digital DAB radio from studios located on London Road in Nottingham city centre.-Transmission frequences:...
placed a tributes page on its website which within hours had hundreds of messages from city's residents as well as people much further afield.
On November 10, 2005, a simple memorial was unveiled outside of the store where he had been seen regularly for the past fifteen years. Paying tribute to the Xylophone Man, the plaque reads "He played his Xylophone here for fifteen years, bringing a smile to the faces of the people of Nottingham".
Despite attempts from anti-social people to deface the plaque, the people of Nottingham have vigilantly kept it clean and new-looking, out of respect for the Xylophone Man.
External links
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/features/2003/12/notts_faces_xylophone_man.shtml
- City Council unveil Xylophone Man memorial
- Interview with Frank
- Poem about Frank
External links
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/England/nottinghamshire/3871021.stm