I remember when I went into Nottingham City Center, the same elderly gentleman busking not far from The Broad Marsh Complex. He was not the greatest xylophone player ever to grace this land, however it was a point of interest every time you passed. Sadly Frank Robinson passed away in 2004, but in recognition of his memory and the impact he had on visitors, a little plaque has been unveiled:
“Xylophone Man, whose real name was Frank Robinson, died from a heart attack on the 4th of July 2004 at the age of 73. Now a granite slab has been laid at his favourite busking spot on Listergate.
The slab has been prepared by local man Chris Hart. He called BBC Radio Nottingham’s Breakfast presenter Karl Cooper and offered his services. Today’s unveiling of the slab is a culmination of that very call. The tribute is a 60cm x 60cm slab which says, “Frank Robinson – Xylophone Man 1932-2004, played his xylophone here”.”
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This guy was the best busker in town,i use to be in town every saturday,i walked past and i use to laugh at the way he use to play his instrument…He used to brighten up my saturday`s and now he`s gone GOD BLESS YOU SIR… i certainly miss you,even though i dont know him but ever the less he was a street entertainer and deserves all the respect he can get.I believe there`s life after death and i hope he can see what a impact he made on the town centre of nottm.Im glad they made him a special place with a slab….Hope your happy where u are now and R.I.P.
But what is that instrument next to the plaque? A xylophone is made of wood (xylo is Greek for wood), the instrument shown is a metalophone, probably a Glockenspiel. So did he play a xylophone or a glockenspiel I wonder?
You’re right Richard. He played a child’s glockenspiel, but was known as the xylophone man.