BBC - In pics: Frank's Fantastic Farewell

BBC Local

Manchester

Things to do

People & Places

Nature & Outdoors

History

Religion & Ethics

Arts & Culture

BBC Introducing

TV & Radio

Local BBC Sites

Neighbouring Sites

Related BBC Sites

England

Page last updated at 09:01 GMT, Friday, 9 July 2010 10:01 UK

E-mail this to a friend

In pics: Frank's Fantastic Farewell

Around 5,000 fans gathered in Castlefield Arena on Thursday 8 July to celebrate the life of musician and comedian Chris Sievey and the leftfield humour of his comic alter ego, Frank Sidebottom.

The show was led by the Oh Blimey Big Band, all the members of which had played backing for Frank at some point over his 25 year career.

As the band were without their usual frontman, they brought in the long lost elder brother of Frank, the purple-clad, Stetson-wearing Hank Sidebottom.

Many of the fans who turned up had made the effort to dig out their Frank Sidebottom paraphernalia, including plenty of red and black striped shirts.

A Frank Sidebottom fan in a homemade head

There were even those who had gone as far as to fashion their own Frank head out of papier-mâché.

Women wearing Frank Sidebottom hairbands

In amongst the crowd were many of Chris' friends and family, who were moved by the number of people who had turned up.

Fans gathered in Castlefield arena for Frank's Fantastic Farewell

Chris Sievey's friend, Colette Walsh, said it wasn't a surprise that so many had come as Frank "was so quintessentially Northern and Mancunian that he really is one of our treasures."

DJ Mark Radcliffe, who played in Frank's Oh Blimey Band several years ago, said that "everyone who saw a Frank gig remembered it; it had a special little compartment in their head, because there was no-one else like him."

Badly Drawn Boy performing at Castlefield Arena

Badly Drawn Boy was on hand to play a few tunes and said that "when anyone goes, I always feel that it's a shame that there can’t be one last moment where you can be with them one more time – and this would be the day with Frank."

Amongst the treats for the fans were performances from Frank's friend, fellow comedian Charlie Chuck, and Mr B the Gentleman Rapper.

It was a previously unseen episode of Frank’s TV show that stole the show though, with the large crowd in riotous laughter at scenes of Frank forcing his way into the life and home of former Smiths drummer, Mike Joyce.