Diary Of A Busker Day 20 Sunday January 2nd Winchester High Street (1. opposite The Body Shop, Time: 2-3:30pm, 2. opposite WH Smiths, Time: 4:05-5pm).
A split session, as I took only £7 for an hour and a half, and the constant cigarette smoke from the ashtray on top of the bin right next to me became unbearable. Got harrassed by a gang of 15 year olds. Their leader – “Do you know any…(he says the names of about 10 bands I’ve never heard of)” – I say “No” to all. He tries again – “Know any Jimi Hendrix?” It’s his lucky day and although he doesn’t deserve it, he gets a 4 second burst of Purple Haze. Then, noticing my tan Samuel Windsor brogues – “Hey, look at his shoes! Where did you get them?” I can’t be bothered with this anymore, “I don’t know, Shoe World.” Bored with me, they sloped off to annoy someone else. As they left, following their leader, the one at the back turned and said “Nice sound, man.” He said it very quietly, so the rest wouldn’t hear!
It was freezing cold today so I went to the church in the alleyway to warm up…then set up opposite Smiths and made twice as much as before in under an hour. Some familiar faces or ‘the usual suspects’, as I may start calling them. Dave from the open-mics – “Happy New Year, Marvin, hey, can I play a song on your guitar?” “Um…OK.” Dave proceeded to play a song he hadn’t worked out. At a few minutes past 5 o’clock, someone comes out of the bakery and yells “PASTIES FOR A POUND!”, to get rid of them. This is one of the daily rituals of the High Street that occurs always at the same time – I can set my watch to it. A few minutes after, Ragtime Phillip drops by and offers to buy me one – “Yes, please”… but they were all gone! Typical.
Then, just before I packed up, I’m playing The Third Man for the last time – the last time TODAY, that is, and a man with a green felt hat complete with feather comes up – “I was in Vienna in 1946, you know. Now, do you know the other side of that record? Oh, what was it…The Cafe Mozart Waltz, that was it.” Yes, I did know it, but not to play. “Oh well, must be off to Sainsbury’s now”, he says.
Earnings: £22.06p.