Tim Gracyk | Wullie F. Frame “The Piper” William Flint Frame British music hall Scotland comic Glascow vaudeville @timgracyk | Uploaded October 2024 | Updated October 2024, 1 hour ago.
Wullie F. Frame sings “The Piper” on Edison Bell 6194, recorded in early 1904.
His real name was William Flint Frame.
Wullie F. Frame, who called himself “The Man You Know,” was born in Castle Bank, Partick, in 1848 or 1849--around the time of the famous Glasgow riots.
He worked in the family grocery business but made the transition to theater by 1867.
He became conductor of his local Presbyterian Church Choir in 1870 which he continued to do for some 10 years, during which time he also became a paper salesman.
In 1889 he was in London, performing in the top music halls to great acclaim. He helped pave the way for Harry Lauder.
He was considered to be the Scotch Dan Leno in certain quarters.
In 1898, he went on a six month tour to the USA and Canada, and although 65 years old when the Great War broke out in 1914, he joined the Seymour Hicks Concert Party and went to the front to entertain the troops in December of that fateful year.
He died in 1919, aged 71.
Information about his death and career is on page eight of The Glasgow Herald, October 31, 1919.
W. F. Frame died at his residence in Burnbank Gardens, Glasgow.
He is called "a well-known figure...from the stage and the concert hall."
It says, "Mr Frame, whose real name was William Flint, found his road to the stage through a church choir. He was born in Glasgow in 1848 and was brought up in the East-End of the city. At the age of nine he sang in the choir at Bridgeton Parish Church...From errand boy in an Argyle Street shop he passed into the office of a grain merchant, and afterwards served an apprenticeship in the engine shop of Messrs Campbell and Son, builders of The Bonnie Doon and The Bonnie Clyde. During leisure hours Mr Frame developed his voice and gained experience by singing at smoking concerts and social parties. His first engagement in a music hall was obtained in 1867 on the stage of the old Scotia, where for £1 a week he sang three songs each night."
His reputation as a Scotch comedian grew with the passing of years.
He was popular on the stages of music halls.
He was survived by his wife, five sons. and two daughters.
________________
For the purpose of paying tribute to his talents, a dinner was held for the entertainer at Glasgow’s Windsor Hotel, on November 8, 1898. Here is what is said on page 6 of The Glasgow Herald (November 9th edition--the next day):
“Mr W. F. Frame, the well-known comedian and vocalist, was entertained by a number of friends at dinner in the Windsor Hotel last night before his departure to America, where he intends to tour with a concert party. Ex-Bailie Simons presided, and the croupiers were ex-Deacon Convenor Copland and Mr Walter Wilson. The company numbered about 90, and among others present besides Mr Frame were Councillors Brechin and Dunlop, Rev. W. Fergus, Colonel Menzies, Mr Malcolm Campbell, Mr David Fortune, and Mr Walter Freer. The loyal and patriotic toasts having been honoured, the Chairman said that a number of gentlemen had expressed a desire to send, on behalf of the gathering, a message of sympathy to Sir Henry Irving, and to express in it the hope he will soon be completely restored to health. The proposal was cordially received. The Chairman then proposed the toast of the evening, ‘The Health of Our Guest,’ and in doing so remarked that during the whole time he had been associated with professionals he had not known a man who was so much esteemed and made so many friends as Mr Frame. They all hoped, indeed they felt sure, that in the United States and in Canada he would make hosts of other friends and have a successful tour. When he returned home they would give him a very hearty welcome. As a public performer he had entertained hundreds and thousands of people, but during but during his busy career he had found time to give his services on behalf of charitable objects, and they honoured him for that as well as for his amiable and unselfish character and his high attainments. The Chairman, in name of the company, afterwards presented Mr Frame with an illuminated address, signed by, among others, Lord Provost Richmond, Provost Kirkwood, Govan; ex-Bailie Simons, Ex-Deacon-Convenor Copland. In the address reference was made to Mr Frame’s work in connection with the Scottish Artists’ Benevolent Fund, and to the welcome which he was assured he would receive during his tour. The toast was drunk with Highland honours. Mr Frame, in the course of his reply, thanked the gathering for the heartiness of their good wishes, and mentioned that he had decided to make his tour on account of numerous invitations he had received during the past few years. Other toasts followed.”
Wullie F. Frame sings “The Piper” on Edison Bell 6194, recorded in early 1904.
His real name was William Flint Frame.
Wullie F. Frame, who called himself “The Man You Know,” was born in Castle Bank, Partick, in 1848 or 1849--around the time of the famous Glasgow riots.
He worked in the family grocery business but made the transition to theater by 1867.
He became conductor of his local Presbyterian Church Choir in 1870 which he continued to do for some 10 years, during which time he also became a paper salesman.
In 1889 he was in London, performing in the top music halls to great acclaim. He helped pave the way for Harry Lauder.
He was considered to be the Scotch Dan Leno in certain quarters.
In 1898, he went on a six month tour to the USA and Canada, and although 65 years old when the Great War broke out in 1914, he joined the Seymour Hicks Concert Party and went to the front to entertain the troops in December of that fateful year.
He died in 1919, aged 71.
Information about his death and career is on page eight of The Glasgow Herald, October 31, 1919.
W. F. Frame died at his residence in Burnbank Gardens, Glasgow.
He is called "a well-known figure...from the stage and the concert hall."
It says, "Mr Frame, whose real name was William Flint, found his road to the stage through a church choir. He was born in Glasgow in 1848 and was brought up in the East-End of the city. At the age of nine he sang in the choir at Bridgeton Parish Church...From errand boy in an Argyle Street shop he passed into the office of a grain merchant, and afterwards served an apprenticeship in the engine shop of Messrs Campbell and Son, builders of The Bonnie Doon and The Bonnie Clyde. During leisure hours Mr Frame developed his voice and gained experience by singing at smoking concerts and social parties. His first engagement in a music hall was obtained in 1867 on the stage of the old Scotia, where for £1 a week he sang three songs each night."
His reputation as a Scotch comedian grew with the passing of years.
He was popular on the stages of music halls.
He was survived by his wife, five sons. and two daughters.
________________
For the purpose of paying tribute to his talents, a dinner was held for the entertainer at Glasgow’s Windsor Hotel, on November 8, 1898. Here is what is said on page 6 of The Glasgow Herald (November 9th edition--the next day):
“Mr W. F. Frame, the well-known comedian and vocalist, was entertained by a number of friends at dinner in the Windsor Hotel last night before his departure to America, where he intends to tour with a concert party. Ex-Bailie Simons presided, and the croupiers were ex-Deacon Convenor Copland and Mr Walter Wilson. The company numbered about 90, and among others present besides Mr Frame were Councillors Brechin and Dunlop, Rev. W. Fergus, Colonel Menzies, Mr Malcolm Campbell, Mr David Fortune, and Mr Walter Freer. The loyal and patriotic toasts having been honoured, the Chairman said that a number of gentlemen had expressed a desire to send, on behalf of the gathering, a message of sympathy to Sir Henry Irving, and to express in it the hope he will soon be completely restored to health. The proposal was cordially received. The Chairman then proposed the toast of the evening, ‘The Health of Our Guest,’ and in doing so remarked that during the whole time he had been associated with professionals he had not known a man who was so much esteemed and made so many friends as Mr Frame. They all hoped, indeed they felt sure, that in the United States and in Canada he would make hosts of other friends and have a successful tour. When he returned home they would give him a very hearty welcome. As a public performer he had entertained hundreds and thousands of people, but during but during his busy career he had found time to give his services on behalf of charitable objects, and they honoured him for that as well as for his amiable and unselfish character and his high attainments. The Chairman, in name of the company, afterwards presented Mr Frame with an illuminated address, signed by, among others, Lord Provost Richmond, Provost Kirkwood, Govan; ex-Bailie Simons, Ex-Deacon-Convenor Copland. In the address reference was made to Mr Frame’s work in connection with the Scottish Artists’ Benevolent Fund, and to the welcome which he was assured he would receive during his tour. The toast was drunk with Highland honours. Mr Frame, in the course of his reply, thanked the gathering for the heartiness of their good wishes, and mentioned that he had decided to make his tour on account of numerous invitations he had received during the past few years. Other toasts followed.”
