The Piano Man

[Illuminattile]

I saw him mentioned on Have I Got News For You? (British quiz show) and looked him up, having heard nothing about him on the news.

He was found wandering the streets of Kent, England in a soaking wet suit and tie in April of this year. All the labels in his clothing had been removed, and since being found he has yet to utter a word. He was taken to a hospital and, when he wouldn't speak, was given a piece of paper and pen to write his name. Instead, he drew a Grand Piano. When he was put in front of a piano he played, adeptly, various music on it for two hours and then passed out. He is reserved and anxious when away from the piano, but on it he "comes alive".

I find the story intriguing, though the skeptic in me thinks it could be an elaborate publicity stunt. Though he hasn't spoken since they found him, he has composed music. I'm certain he'd move more units as a strange, troubled, mute amnesic than he would as a random bloke from Sheerness. I don't know, though. The authorities seem genuinely worried by him.

Wikipedia
CNN
BBC

 

[CalcuoCuchicheo]

I've heard about him several times - through the news on TV, newspapers, chat shows etc. I am a bit surprised you hadn't heard.

Anyways, although I'd found the story weird, I hadn't thought that it may be a publicity stunt. Having entertained the thought, I have my doubts. If the guy was faking it, then as soon as he decides to release an album (if the intended result of this stunt was to move more units like you say, this would need to be soon while he is still in the public eye) then people would see he is a phony &, I'd expect, refuse to buy the album.

I must say though, you would expect someone with this sort of distinct talent to be instantly recognisable by friends & family as I doubt there are many 'missing persons' who can play the grand piano to an extensive degree.

 

[S O F I]

I haven't heard of him at all. Interesting, I might add.

 

[Missy "C"]

I found this story weird too, I don't understand how come nobody has recognised him yet, the only posibility is that he was a normal and extremely lonely person who suddenly lost his memory. But I don't think it's a publicity stunt I'm not so skeptic. I've seen some of his pics and the look in his eyes is so melancholic, he transmits you a feeling of a very deep sadness, it's so moving. I'd like to see what happens next, it's a very interesting case.

 

[Amara]

I find the story intriguing, though the skeptic in me thinks it could be an elaborate publicity stunt. Though he hasn't spoken since they found him, he has composed music. I'm certain he'd move more units as a strange, troubled, mute amnesic than he would as a random bloke from Sheerness. I don't know, though. The authorities seem genuinely worried by him.

It's all a bit surreal to me, which is why I struggle to believe it. Interesting that the labels on his clothes were removed... I guess that to me suggests a hoax... Well, he must have bought his suit from somewhere, he must have arrived in Kent somehow, he must have learnt the piano from someone.. so it's really only a matter of time before they figure it out. Either way, he needs some serious psychological help.

 

[Rukas]

It's all a bit surreal to me, which is why I struggle to believe it. Interesting that the labels on his clothes were removed... I guess that to me suggests a hoax... Well, he must have bought his suit from somewhere, he must have arrived in Kent somehow, he must have learnt the piano from someone.. so it's really only a matter of time before they figure it out. Either way, he needs some serious psychological help.

I dont see how a brand label on his suit would identify him at all so I dont find that reason to be skeptical.

It is all a bit weird though.

My guess? He was one of the piano players on the titanic when it sank, thus he was wet. However just as he was dieing he was saved by time travellers from the future, and dumped back into our time line. His music will save the world from destruction. All of his other memories have been whiped clean, including his memory of speach, all that remains is his piano memory.

 

[Amara]

I dont see how a brand label on his suit would identify him at all so I dont find that reason to be skeptical.

It is all a bit weird though.

My guess? He was one of the piano players on the titanic when it sank, thus he was wet. However just as he was dieing he was saved by time travellers from the future, and dumped back into our time line. His music will save the world from destruction. All of his other memories have been whiped clean, including his memory of speach, all that remains is his piano memory.

lol riiight.

Of course a label can help identify. Certain brands are found in certain stores, if unique enough only certain countries... so for instance, if he is foreign the language on the label would give it away.

 

[Rukas]

lol riiight.

Of course a label can help identify. Certain brands are found in certain stores, if unique enough only certain countries... so for instance, if he is foreign the language on the label would give it away.

Yeah but if it was a hoax why cut off the brand when they can just buy some generic cheap ass suit you can buy in most department stores? Why go to the trouble of doing something that suss when there are easier alternatives.

 

[Salar]

It's Billy Joel

Well this is the first i'm reading of this, and i must say it's quite weird. Do you have any more links with similar stories on it that go into more detail? EDIT: sorry i just saw the CNN and BBC links below.

 

[Rukas]

^^ This is really the first youve heard of it? Its been all over the news here.

 

[Salar]

I've been too busy to actually watch TV and read newspapers. Right now my only source of international news is 2B

 

[PuffnScruff]

i saw this in the news either last week or earlier this week here in the states. there has been a little bit of talk about this guy. nothing too much. there were some comparisons being made to that movie that came out a year or two ago, about that autistic (sp?) piano player. i dont get whats so great about this story to be honest

 

[one mc on dj]

fake..

 

[Amara]

there were some comparisons being made to that movie that came out a year or two ago, about that autistic (sp?) piano player.

David Helfgott... that movie ('Shine') was filmed in my city.... at the local mental institution. haha :thumb:

 

[Illuminattile]

Interesting that the labels on his clothes were removed...

The first thing that came to my mind when I read that was how you used to have your name written in your school uniform when you were a kid, so you wouldn't accidentally go home with someone else's.

A theory I read suggested that he was from a wealthy family from an East European country. This could explain the suit and the ability to play the piano. His parents, based on the fact that he suffers from autism or Asperger's or some kind of illness, abandoned him in England for our health system to deal with him.

 

[Rukas]

^^ If they were wealthy they would hardly need the UK to take care of him.

 

[CalcuoCuchicheo]

^
There may be stigma attatched to having a mentally ill relative & taking care of such a person is about more than just money.