The Piano Man: Misrepresented, Blame the Media

 I was disturbed to hear mainstream news specifically I think it was ABC news report that the piano man turned out to be a hoax and it was stated that this person really didn't know how to play the piano only pounded the same note over and over again. Later news reports on the internet (see below) spelled the story out somewhat more clearly. Turns out the guy called the "piano man" finally decided to talk to his caregivers and told them he was the son of a Bavarian farmer, that he (the "piano man") was gay, and that he had been found by the police who had stopped his attempt at suicide on a beach by the English channel. He was found dripping wet. The news media was unsympathetic leaving the suicide attempt and gay part of the story out of the news report and announced there had been similar hoaxes over the years. Other news items also reported the mental health facility where he had been staying could sue him for the expenses he had incurred at the hospital. These reports implied criminal behavior on the part of the "piano man". This was based on the knowledge revealed by the "piano man" that he used to work with mentally ill people and knew how to imitate their behavior.

What was irritating about these stories is that this guy had been built up by them into some sort of romantic version of the person portrayed in a movie about another piano man who was a virtuoso as a young man and who remerges years later. The facts seemed very missing. Did this guy play the piano or not and who said so? Some reports say he played virtuosos performances for the staff and other said he pounded on one key over and over. No one has considered that the young man was frightened to face a homophobic father and/or family back in Germany. The thought of rejection has sent many person who identify as Gay or LGBTI into a psychological panic or psychosis. Even if it didn't there seems to be no sympathy for this person's situation. Of course, the Gay story might also be made up too but it sounds more plausible to me than the other one the media made up and the public grabbed onto with hysterical delight.

If any one should be charged for the expenses this sad individual may have incurred it should be the news channels for their gross neglect and inability to get a story straight and also the stupid bureaucrats at the hospital who never thought to ask some probing questions. Perhaps, I am asking too much of the professionals but it seems they were duped by media into believing something that took on mythic proportions. I admit the "piano man" bears some responsibility for his own behavior but I also think there was something amiss with the poor guy and that if he was motivated by fear that does put a different light on the story which no one has commented on at this point in the story. LGBTI (Lesbian and Gay) organizations should take an interest in this case to make sure the guy gets a fair shake.

See portion of article on the Piano Man from The Guardian newspaper below.

I think I'll speak today, says 'mute' Piano Man before leaving for home in Bavaria

Patrick Barkham and Luke Harding in Berlin
Tuesday August 23, 2005
The Guardian

It was reported that the man told staff at the secure mental health unit at the Little Brook hospital in Dartford that he decided not to speak when he was discovered shortly after attempting suicide on his arrival in Britain from Paris, where he worked as a waiter.

The German embassy in London was contacted on Friday by the hospital after the man's apparent confession, in which he reportedly also said he was gay and had two sisters, and a father who was a farmer in Germany. Provided with travel documents, he flew back to Germany on Saturday.