The Man Inside The Mask: The Tragic Story Of Frank Sidebottom

Frank Sidebottom was the superstar character created by Manchester musician and writer Chris Seavey. Chris had previously been in a band called The Freshies and had a hit with 'I'm In Love With The Girl On The Manchester Virgin Megastore Check-out Desk'.
Frank lived with his Mum (Mrs Sidebottom) in Timperley and had some famous people working with him, including future Radio DJs Mark Radcliffe and Chris Evans and Mrs Merton (aka Caroline Aherne). This is the untold story of Frank's early days in a London pub called The Cricketers.
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[@NeilTaylor]

Really nice to watch this, and I was the person responsible for the Frank Statue in Timperley, hope you get to see it one day.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks, Neil, I'm certainly planning to see the statue as soon as possible. Maybe I'll include it in a video. Thanks for the positive feedback…

[@NeilTaylor]

@@markturner7409 Thank you.

[@TECHNOIR]

@Neil Taylor That makes you also showbiz royalty forever - I live not too far from Timperley and I would genuinely love to see the statue 'in situ' as is the lingo. Seriously, I extend the deepest gratitude and love to you. There is a bit in a novel called 'Buddwing' by Evan Hunter and he speaks of the genius of how whoever minted the headline ' MISSILE MUM, MICE MISSING' (about a rocket sent up with some mice that stopped broadcasting after a while, presumably lost) deserved a ticker tape parade in Times Square. Well, if that possibly apocryphal headline smith is getting a parade and all the trimmings, then so should you! You really do!

[@NeilTaylor]

@@TECHNOIR Thanks for the kind words.

[@bollywayne14]

Can I say big thank you for honouring this great man. Wish I had seen frank live. Wish I had met Chris. What funny is my family never understood Frank like me. I remember him most from No 73 and then later Remote Control RIP Chris aka Frank Sidebottom.

[@MrDunkiep]

I was there at his legendary Reading Festival appearance. Total hero of comedy.

[@JimDriver]

A very funny and talented guy. Cheers!

[@martinsteib2070]

Went to your venue to see one of his Christmas shows, so much fun. Thanks for the video.

[@JimDriver]

Fantastic! I'm glad you had a blast at the Frank gigs. It was an amazing, fun time! Thanks for watching the video and for taking the time to comment. Cheers!

[@jonridley]

ill subscribe naturally, great story. Frank was a part of my life from about 1989 to the day he died for various reasons that arer too long to list. i never met him but he was certainly someone i admired and entered into my consciousness in the best way possible

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for your kind words and for your subscription! It’s incredible to hear how Frank/Chris influenced your life. We'll not see his like again. Cheers!

[@Ian-gw2vx]

Thanks for sharing JIm. Fascinating to hear. I still have my Frank Blackpool LP with a very young Caroline Aherne on. Also, Mark Radcliffe used to live in the village next to me. Never knew he was involved with Frank. This world needs more Franks, especially these days. Whatever happened to good old fashioned silliness ?

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for sharing your memories! It's great to connect over shared interests and experiences.

[@JeffJolly1]

Nice to hear even more about the legend that was Frank Sidebottom aka Chris Sievey 👍

[@JimDriver]

Thanks, Jeff! Your positive comment is much appreciated…

[@James40000]

I was there at his performance at the Rhythm Festival, front row. It was marvellous fun, and he had me sing the refrain from ‘Hey Jude’. His heyday was slightly before my time, but seeing Frank perform is a very happy memory for me. Thanks for all the insight.

[@JimDriver]

Haha: yes, I wish I'd seen Frank's set at Rhythm Festival but I was unfortunately elsewhere on site, dealing with another "difficult" performer…

[@dannymo2595]

Thanks for the video post and any comments regarding the man,artist and funny imaginative chap with free will and passion....I moved to Oz 30 years ago and happened to see the doco and must admit had tears in my eyes realising I’d forgotten his “character” and laughter causing moments from kids tv I saw when I was young,it all came flashing back when I saw his head and voice. Now that I’m older I realise it appeals to me as an adult now as well It’s pretty rare to have someone who can achieve making kids and adults laugh separately and together,Frank Sidebottom and the Benny hill show,memories

[@JimDriver]

I'll be honest, Frank had a "throw it at the wall and see what sticks" attitude to performing. It wasn't all comedy gold but when he hit bullseye, it was genius…

[@R82TV]

This is lovely. Thank you

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the kind words: please keep watching! It wouldn't be the same without you…

[@michaelroberts7374]

TellerI'mill....tellerI'mill tonight❤

[@JimDriver]

Haha! There'll never be another… (to misquote Max Miller)❤

[@PinkyJujubean]

I was reading this thing about The Residents and it mentioned him. Never heard of him before. How interesting

[@JimDriver]

Looks like you stumbled upon a mysterious character in The Residents' world. Who knows what other surprises you might find!

[@davegaskell7680]

Good video.....interesting and entertaining. Well done you for taking the risk with putting Frank Sidebottom shows on in those early days - helped the development of the character we all love. And very nice to see a clip of Here & Now in a video too - one of my favourite bands!

[@JimDriver]

Thanks, Dave! Putting on Frank and giving Chris free reign in those early days is something I’m very proud of and pleased to have done. I think it was essential in Frank’s development and I wish I’d stressed that aspect more in the video. I was Here & Now’s manager from the Fantasy Shift days, through Coaxed Out From Oxford through Theatre and beyond. That was almost as crazy. I’ll do a video about that one day, except Keith (who’s still a mate) will kill me!

[@dannymo2595]

I had no idea of his massive backstory,it’s really great and thanks for this info,excellent

[@JimDriver]

Glad you enjoyed it… Chris was one of a kind.

[@Fiveeightsix]

Great video, thank you

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words!

[@CaptDanDare]

As always, Jim, a fascinating insight to the world of gigs in the greatest days of pub venues.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks, Mike. I appreciate it. I don't think we know at the time what really great days we were living through. It just seemed like normal real life!

[@sjmort]

Just randomly found this video and really enjoyed it. Took me a few minutes to remember where I knew your name from Jim, used to go to the 100 Club whenever Chas and Dave were on. Always enjoyed being on your mail out and glad your ok.

[@JimDriver]

Glad you enjoyed it, Steve and thanks for the kind words!

[@simonwilliams6665]

The important thing is that you’re not bitter about it

[@JimDriver]

Not sure if you're being ironic (I never can tell!) but there's nothing for me to feel bitter about. The events of the past happened, I was there, and it was great to be part of it all… 😀

[@wesleyashworth5061]

I think he means not feeling bitter about being kind of airbrushed from history

[@WesternPromise5831]

I was at the first night of a Frank Double Header at the Cricketers. The second night was Franks Xmas party. The night I attended Frank was dressed as a Magician and he wouldn't recognise the name Frank Sidebottom. I remember at the half time intermission I followed him to his dressing room whilst he was bollocking little Frank all the way. I went the toilet and when I came back I could still hear him having a go at little Frank whilst I listened at the door !

[@JimDriver]

Wow! Great history and fantastic memories… To me, your description sums up the excitement and craziness of those early days and that was what I was trying to do and n the video! Thank you…

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Frank was the forerunner for Vic Reeves, Alan Partridge and Madchester. Great video, Very insightful, thank you

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for that! I agree… Frank/Chris opened lots of doors for those who came after him/them…

[@mortalcritters]

Oh my god, this is the connection. I knew Chis, Frank's manager. [ as they say ]. I workered all his singles.spoked to the him and the manerment every single day for a two years or more!

[@JimDriver]

That's great! It must have been an incredible experience working with Chris so closely and being involved in Frank's career for such a long time. And very frustrating at times, I'd imagine!

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the memories and for the kind words!

[@Rugops42]

What a fantastic video, you know it is it really is!

[@JimDriver]

Thanks: really glad you enjoyed it.

[@pujapete3665]

cannot believe i never heard of frank till recently.read a chaper in a jon ronson book.what an amazing gifted,a bit crazy guy chris was.going to make a frank head to remind me of what life is about.following your own road and never giving up.pity he hit the booze and drugs.said on a documentary we went into animation.will try to visit his statue.a life lived to the full.

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Frank. It's always inspiring to hear how others connect with different stories. Jon Ronson seems to like rewriting history slightly but that;s an artform too... 😀😀😀😜

[@poisonouscarnage2289]

I remember when my dad took me to see frank as a kid live. I got a cd and he gave the puppet away and I saw sad I didn’t get that lol. I hope that cd is still in my mums attic

[@JimDriver]

Seeing Frank was always an entertainment. I must have put him on fifty times and he never failed to surprise me!

[@drucifer00]

Great Stuff! But I suspect this fella had Little Denise's head all along.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks! Anyone want to buy a badly soiled puppet? 😀

[@philmarsh5593]

Good to hear all this, thanks. I remember seeing Frank at least 3 times I think at the Cricketers (and what a great venue that was - saw a few bands there in the late 80s/early 90s). Once he supported himself - he did a solo spot for half an hour, then came back on with his band. I remember Jon Ronson being in the band on at least 1 of the nights I saw. Another time, John Cooper-Clarke supported ("brilliant, eh?") and another time Wilko Johnson and Norman Watt-Roy did a support set before going off to do their own gig elsewhere that night. They were magic too. Last time I saw Frank he was supporting John Cooper-Clarke at the Bloomsbury Theatre - 2009 or early 2010 maybe? And like you said about the festival gig, the spark had gone. It looked like he made it up as he went along but without that spark it was pretty average. A real shame. At his best he was bloody brilliant and I still have the vinyl and CDs.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for sharing your great memories of Frank and The Cricketers. Did you spot the roadie selling T-shirts and tapes in the early days? That was Chris Evans, later to be a Radio DJ and TGI Friday host…

[@philmarsh5593]

@@JimDriver I can remember buying merch back in the day. Funny to think it might have been handed over by him, haha.

[@jambutty2218]

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your knowledge and uploading.. Hope you are doing well. Your a smart guy to spot the talent that Frank was.. Saw "Here and Now" at the Band on the Wall a few years ago. One of the best gigs of my life. He sounds like he was, a true artist. I was first aware of him when he appeared in the Word. But I grew up in Greater Manchester so may have seen him before. He sounds like he needed a manager . To monetize his art. My experience of professional writers, is they are very good at taking credit for other people's work. (Robson) It's a shame about his son.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the positive comment. I think Chris was his own worst enemy and he knew it. A very talented guy but, like so many I knew over the years, he was determined to self-sabotage any and all success that came his way…

[@TECHNOIR]

@Jim Driver Lovely stuff this.

[@JimDriver]

Haha: thanks. Hopefully there's plenty more to come…

[@craiggaming7797]

I really wish Chris's solo career music was more recognized by people. Some of his songs he did solo he also did as frank

[@JimDriver]

Yes, Chris was a talented popster but I think He chose to deflect fame away from himself by creating and repeatedly working with Frank…

[@craiggaming7797]

@@JimDriver I wish more people could listen to his music. Only a couple of his songs are on spotify. There are so many more that should be shared and saved forever

[@Tom_Roberts]

He was a few decades too early - can you imagine today as a "social media celebrity" how famous and wealthy he would have become ?

[@JimDriver]

Chris would undoubtedly have been a social media genius but I'm not sure how rich he would have ended up. His real genius when alive was for spending the money he earned, often before he's actually got it… RIP Chris Seavey.

[@BellsCuriosityShop]

He was big on MySpace. He left a message for everybody that "befriended" him there

[@littlemascara6385]

Great story. Jon Ronson has a habit of excluding parts of history he doesn't want to bother about.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks! I think Jon likes to make sure Jon is the centre of every story… 😉😇

[@theefishlippedone]

Chris Sievey/ Frank Sidebottom was a genius. BTW Mark Radcliff drummed for the pre racist Skrewdriver

[@JimDriver]

Haha: fancy that! Funny it never made it onto Mark's CV… 😄Thanks for the info. Cheers! (BTW, I'm certain Mark is totally sound on racism, so I'm sure the first version of the band was OK. Funny how lots of things connect up in the whacky world of music)…

[@theefishlippedone]

@@JimDriver true that mate

[@skawashers]

Think it may have been The Cricketers in which i saw frank for the first time maybe to audience of about 12 people . He was on stage as a solo act with no backing band, Just him and his Keyboard. It must have been a few weeks after releasing the LP - 5:9:88 as he was punting that and trying to sell copies and was also singing a few from the album. It was a great gig as i love Frank. But he was struggling to whip up any feelings from the audience. It looked like a tough night for him..

[@JimDriver]

I'm not sure it was The Cricketers but I can't be sure. Frank played there dozens of times in the 1980s but it was usually packed and he was (according to my faulty memory) only without a band for his lectures. He did try and play other venues, especially in north London, and was often surprised that he didn't pull the same size of crowds elsewhere. I did hear about a show he did in Stockwell around that time that was very poorly attended and he didn't get paid anything…

[@skawashers]

@@JimDriver Oh I am very sure it was The Cricketers. As it wasn`t the only time i had been to that venue so i can see it in my memory what gig it was..Nope It wasn`t a lecture and was a full blown solo gig with no backing band. He took requests that night and played me the tune Monopoly . So that's another reason also its stuck with me. Wasn't a packed crowd as at the front of the stage you had room without it being shoulder to shoulder. ..

[@slimtimslide]

Ace!

[@JimDriver]

Thanks, Tim. I appreciate the support…

[@stevie1683]

Little Frank

[@JimDriver]

Little Frank indeed! I'm glad you got the chance to watch it.

[@aaaatttt101]

How did you end up in London working on the music scene?

[@JimDriver]

Funnily enough, I made a video about it 😀😀kzbin.info/www/bejne/onjOgKqQgZyNa6s (it's about 4 minutes in, if you don't want to watch the first bit)…

[@mgabrysSF]

Sort of a band alter ego like Booji Boy.

[@JimDriver]

Indeed. Lots of ego in play, I think… :)

[@nelchid]

"ACTUALLY.......FWAR FWAR FWAR" "ITS G7 (G SEVENTH) FWAR FWAR FWAR!"................................................... "ACTUALLY!" "FWAR!"

[@JimDriver]

Indeed@!