Posted on 05/15/2005 6:10:19 PM PDT by blam
Does this man strike a chord with you?
By David Sapsted
(Filed: 16/05/2005)
The identity of a man found wandering on a beach in an evening suit and who will not talk but who expertly plays piano concertos for hours is baffling police.
The six-foot tall man, believed to be in his 20s or 30s, has been dubbed the 'Piano Man' since being found, soaked to the skin, on a beach on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, five weeks ago. Now in a psychiatric unit at Medway Maritime Hospital, in Gillingham, he will not speak but, when left a pen and paper, drew a Swedish flag and a picture of a piano.
‘Piano Man’ is probably English
When staff sat him at a piano in the hospital chapel, he played expertly for two hours and, since, has staged recitals lasting up to four hours.
However, despite his picture being posted on the website of the National Missing Persons Helpline, nobody has identified him yet, though people have come forward to say that they believe they have seen him play at concert halls throughout Europe.
Orchestras are now being contacted to see if they can identify him. "We have had a lot of calls from members of the public telling us they have seen him performing in various parts of Europe," said Ramanah Venkiah, manager of the psychiatric unit.
"He has been playing the piano to a very high quality for up to four hours at a time and staff say it is a real pleasure to hear it. But we still have no idea who he is because he is not speaking."
The man was found by two police officers in the early hours on the front at Sheerness. It was raining hard and officers have been unable to ascertain if the man had been in the water.
He is physically fit and has no health problems.
Despite the fact that he drew a Swedish flag, police believe that the man is probably English. He has short brown hair, is of slim build, and is believed to have suffered a mental breakdown.
Michael Camp, a care worker, said: "He may have had a traumatic experience. He appears to be a professional pianist of exceptional ability and has amazed everyone who has heard him.
"When he plays, all his anxiety disappears. Away from the piano, he starts to breathe very quickly and nervously shies away from people."
The plight of the man has echoes in the story of David Helfgott, the Australian pianist, who overcame a nervous breakdown to return to performing. His experience formed the basis of the 1996 film Shine starring Geoffrey Rush.
Anyone who recognises the "Piano Man" is asked to contact the National Missing Persons Helpline on 020 8392 4509.
Looks like Tom Jones. (just kidding)
FYI Prayer and missing person pings
Do you recognize this man?
Looks like Eminem finally went over the edge. Didn't know he could play the piano.
Maybe he's just trying to get publicity for his music career.
Somewhere a village is missing its ... piano player.
Nah, I've seen him before. He plays the piano at a whorehouse near Reno. (I stopped there to ask for directions).
If he played the piano for 4 hours in my presence I would bop him on the top of the head and he would regain his memory.
I'll bet he was a pianist on a cruise ship, he fell off and made it to shore but he is traumatized. Poor guy.
HEY! PLAY "MISTY" FOR ME!
If this guy is on some kind of sevant thing, someone better be recording this music. Let him play!!
This falls into the category of news story that until sometime around 1970 was a staple in American newspapers, the "Ain't Them British Crazy" variety.
You are right, he plays every night between 8:00pm and mid night...... or so I am told.
Although rappers usually aren't musically talented enough to play actual instruments (like the piano).
Ditter: In a previous life, he developed storylines for soap operas.
You still don't know how?
?.....The identity of a man found wandering on a beach in an evening suit....???
?.....he missed his 'return' ship?
?.....The man was found by two police officers in the early hours on the front at Sheerness. It was raining hard and officers have been unable to ascertain if the man had been in the water.
?......sounds like a take from the movie,....'The Bourne Identy',.....no?
?.....any important folk been 'off-ed' in/near Sweden lately?
?.......any missing priests.....?
/movies
Good one!
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