5,000 say farewell to Frank

An estimated 5,000 Frank Sidebottom fans gathered in Manchester last night to celebrate his life and work.

His creator, Chris Sievey had a private funeral, with the curtains closing to God Only Knows by The Beach Boys, but Frank's Fantastic Farewell at Castlefield Arena was a chance for fans to say goodbye.

The free event featured such performers as Badly Drawn Boy and comic Charlie Chuck, as well as tributes from his family. Many members of the audience wore papier mache heads in honour of their hero.

Even Manchester City mascot Moonchester made an appearance, as Sievey was said to have been the first person to wear the costume.

Sievey’s youngest son Harry sang his dad’s song I’m In Love With The Girl On The Manchester Virgin Megastore Checkout Desk with The Freshies, Sievey’s original band who re-formed for the occasion. The song, renamed I'm In Love With The Girl On A Certain Manchester Megastore Checkout Desk on request from Radio 1, reached number 54 in 1981.

Sievey’s eldest son Stirling closed the gig with one of Sidebottom’s catchphrases, shouting ‘Guess who’s going to be on Match Of The Day?’ eliciting the usual response ‘You are, in your big shorts’.

That song has just been released on iTunes as part of a posthumous bid to get Sidebottom to No 1. Campaign organisers have asked fans who would have bought Sievey a drink to buy the track instead.

Sievey died on June 21 at the age of 54, while recovering from treatment for cancer.

Published: 9 Jul 2010