During the 1960s, '70s and '80s, there was a fellow in England
named Phil, who supposedly came from Nelson, Lancashire.  He
traveled around York, Nelson, Coventry, and even Liverpool.  He
claimed to be the only remaining organ grinder in England.  At
the link below is a picture of him and his barrel piano.

Fast forward to the present and Phil's barrel piano is here in the
USA.  Last year, the person who has Phil's piano wrote to MMD and
asked if there was someone who could restore it.  My friend Jeff
is just such a person and I arranged for this fellow to bring the
piano here for the purpose.  The piano is now restored, although
we have lost touch with the guy who brought it here.

But now we have a bigger problem.  Last year, the owner mentioned
that he had made contact with Phil's daughter and discovered that
Phil, at 85+ years old, is living in a senior living facility
somewhere in England.

We would like to contact Phil for three reasons.  First, we think
that he'd like to hear his piano again after all these many years.
Second, we'd like to fill in the timeline from when Phil sold it
up to the present.  Lastly, we'd like to get any additional pictures
and information that he might have about Phil and his piano.

It is seldom when we can match up a barrel organ or piano with the
person who actually owned and played it.  It's important that this
connection be documented so that the history of this piano and its
owner will live on after he is gone.

Soooo, if you are in England and you know or can find out anything
about Barrel Organ Phil and his piano, I'd really appreciate it if
you would contact me so I can follow up and find Phil while we can
still ask him about his treasured piano.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Craig Smith
craigsmith@sprintmail.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]

P.S.: This is why we need your help:

 [   Barrel Organ Phil
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/05/22/190522_180942_BarrelOrganPhil.jpg 
 [   Article about Phil
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/05/22/190522_180942_Coventry_Evening_Telegraph_21April1977_Copy.JPG