From the Times Online: Music is key to piano man's name.
Investigators are seeking clues in the music of the man found unable to speak but with the talent of a piano virtuoso.
The musician, whose photograph was being broadcast around the world yesterday, has a repertoire ranging from Tchaikovsky to the Beatles but has not uttered a word since being found last month. Staff at the National Missing Persons Helpline and West Kent NHS and Social Care Trust received more than 160 calls in connection with him yesterday.
When he was found, the designer labels of his black dinner suit, sodden with seawater when he was discovered by the police on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, had been ripped out. He was dripping wet and wearing a white shirt and tie beneath an evening suit.
The man drew a picture of a grand piano. Michael Camp, his social worker, showed him a piano in the hospital chapel and the stranger delivered a stunning four-hour performance. "I cannot get within a yard of him without him becoming very anxious," Mr Camp said. "Yet at the piano he comes alive. When we took him to the chapel piano it really was amazing. He played for several hours, non-stop, until he collapsed." [continue]
Thanks to Ross at Stryder.com for writing to let me know about this story.
Odd, isn't it? This reminds me of the fellow who showed up in Vancouver with amnesia a few years ago.
Related:
Shine reflected in piano man mystery - The Australian
Fantastic response to 'piano man' -BBC
Update, July 6th, 2005:
Ex-students recognize 'Piano Man' - aftenposten.no