Frank Sidebottom

Frank Sidebottom was the musical alter ego of Chris Sievey, previous frontman of Manchester band the Freshies. Characterised by his nasal voice, strong accent and large papier-mache head, Frank began his showbiz career in 1984 and would continue performing on-and-off until Chris Sievey’s death in 2010. Performing live with the Oh Blimey Big Band, as well as the cardboard puppet Little Frank and his girlfriend Debbie, Frank was strongly associated with the alternative comedy movement of the early 1980s, leading to appearances on children’s television show No. 73 and eventually a show of his own, Frank Sidebottom’s Fantastic Shed Show, in addition to his Radio Timperley broadcasts and regular section in children’s magazine Oink! Musically, he originally performed with a series of cheap CASIO keyboards, often using presets as backing to his cover versions of well-known pop and indie hits, but later moved to the banjolele and at points a full backing band.