grey plaque · England

Frank Robinson

Photograph at the Frank Robinson grey plaque
Photograph via Wikipedia (Robinson R44, CC BY-SA).

This grey plaque commemorates Frank Robinson, endearingly known as the 'Xylophone Man', who performed at 11-17 Listergate in Nottingham for a decade and a half. His musical presence became a familiar and cherished part of the local street scene, bringing joy to many passers-by. The plaque serves as a tribute to his unique contribution to the community, recognising the lasting impression he made through his performances. It marks a specific location associated with his artistry, allowing visitors to connect with the spot where he regularly shared his music.

The memorial to Frank Robinson is a contemporary form of public recognition, often found in urban environments. Such plaques are typically installed by local authorities or community groups to honour individuals who have made significant, often unconventional, contributions to the cultural or social fabric of a city. These grey plaques stand in a tradition of civic remembrance, which seeks to acknowledge the lives and legacies of people who have enriched their communities through their talents and dedication, even if their work was not in historically prominent fields. This particular plaque highlights the value placed on local characters and street performers who become intrinsic to a city's identity.

The plaque dedicated to Frank Robinson is located at 11-17 Listergate, a street in the city of Nottingham. Visitors will find the plaque affixed to a building at this address, marking the precise spot where Frank Robinson played his xylophone. Listergate is a central thoroughfare within Nottingham, easily accessible for anyone exploring the city. The plaque encourages a moment of reflection on the contributions of local figures to the everyday experience of a place. It is openly visible, allowing for respectful viewing by members of the public at any time.

Inscription

‘Xylophone Man' Frank Robinson – Frank died in July 2004 aged 72. He played his xylophone here for 15 years, bringing a smile to the faces of the people of Nottingham
Transcribed from the grey plaque at 11-17 Listergate.

Background

The Robinson R44 helicopter, a familiar sight in general aviation, has been manufactured since 1992. This four-seat aircraft evolved from an earlier two-seat design, incorporating enhanced features such as power-assisted flight controls and a more powerful engine.

Since 2001, the R44 has been a consistently popular choice, becoming the world's top-selling general aviation helicopter annually from 1999 onwards. Its significant production numbers place it among the most frequently manufactured light aircraft of the 21st century, reflecting its enduring role in aviation over the decades.

Original summary by TributeLegacy, informed by public sources.

Source: Open Plaques. Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.

Nearby locations in England

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Data sources

Location records are drawn from open, licence-clean datasets, kept here with attribution and gratitude to the people who maintain them.

  • Open Plaques, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). See openplaques.org.
  • Wikidata, available under the CC0 1.0 Universal dedication.
  • © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.
  • Historic England, National Heritage List for England, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. War memorial records are drawn from open community datasets (OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, NHLE) - never from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is excluded.

Editorial descriptions, photography and tribute links are original TributeLegacy work, layered on top of the open data.

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