FANTASTIC FRANKFEST

You know it is, it really is..

At a time when football probably takes itself far too seriously, we’re reminded of a truly great entertainer this week. Although viewed, very wrongly, by many as nothing more than a novelty act, Frank Sidebottom is an iconic comedian and artist whose name, along with Half Man Half Biscuit, will forever be synonymous with football in the UK.

Chris Sievey (the man behind Frank) died aged 54 in June 2010 and we, like many football fans across the UK, miss him terribly. In true Joni Mitchell ‘don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone’ style, it’s perhaps only now that Sievey’s genius is recognised fully, having died with very little money to show for the joy he brought to many.

A tireless and highly skilled performer, Sievey, as Frank, recorded several football related songs, and one of his final numbers, ‘Three shirts on my line’ which was performed in the run up to the 2010 World Cup and only weeks before his death, is a particular favourite in this parish.

Reason that we mention Frank here (like we need an excuse) is because March 31 is the date that the Frankfest will be held at Jebez Clegg, Manchester. The festival will be a celebration of Frank’s work and will include performances by Badly Drawn Boy, The Fall and a DJ set from Bez of the Happy Mondays.

The event is being organised to raise funds for a bronze statue of Frank to be placed at his spiritual home in Timperley near Manchester and we’d urge you to get along or make a donation if you can. You can find out more by clicking here.