The pensioner with a xylophone who became a Nottingham legend

FRANK ROBINSON BROUGHT A SMILE TO THE FACES OF COUNTLESS SHOPPERS

- By LYNETTE PINCHESS

HAMMERING 'plink plink plink' on a child's xylophone, Frank Robinson wasn't a musical genius, but the busker became a legend on the streets of Nottingham.

Few actually knew the real name of the pensioner who perched on a wooden stool outside what was then C&A in Lister Gate, tapping away on the colourful keys.

Grey-haired, bearded, wearing an anorak and beanie hat, he busked for around 15 years from the late 1980s and was simply known as 'the Xylophone Man'.

By the time he died of a heart attack, aged 72, in July 2004, Frank had become one of Nottingham's best-known and well-loved figures and he's still fondly remembered today.

A plaque where he used to sit was placed outside the shop, which later became H&M.

Paid for by public donations, the inscription reads: “He played his xylophone here for 15 years, bringing a smile to the faces of the people of Nottingham”.

At the time there were even calls for a statue in his honour and locals said a tram should be named after him.