Who is That Strange Looking Man With The Long Red Beard? 

This eccentric looking and acting free spirit has been grinding out life on his terms for over 30 years! Photo 

Some Just Decide to be Different. Meet Jörg Wolters!

I saw him again today. The middle aged organ grinder with the long red hair and beard who wears a top hat, tails and a permanent smile!  If you travel to Lugano you'll likely see and hear him too! He's a fixture, a local icon and part of the area's more recent history! He's "that strange man" whose little hand cranked organ can pump out over a thousand melodies while locals and tourists alike drop coins in his cup. That's it! That's what he loves to do and that's how he makes a living! I say good for him!

A Free Man in Every Way!

Jörg used to be a machinist and worked in a foundry but when he first saw someone playing a little organ in the mid 1980's it was love at first site! After his divorce in 1988 he abandoned his previous life and took to the streets, squares and parks of the Lugano area cranking out tunes on his organ. 

This is how he describes his life: 

"I move around by car but in the evening I always go back to the campgrounds I live in. I have no particular debts or demands. In my caravan I have everything I need, I do not ask for more." 

The History of Organ Grinders

People have made a living on the streets playing hand cranked organs for over 300 years! Up until the phonograph and the radio were invented the organ grinder may have been producing the only music that the majority of people would ever hear! Often people, especially children, would dance for joy at hearing what was at the time high fidelity sound! 

In time many organ grinders began to use monkeys to attract attention and to go around with a cup for people to drop coins into. Although the training and use of these monkeys might seem cruel by today's standards a man with a monkey could support an entire family if he spent enough hours on the street!

The organ grinder was also often feared by those in power back in the 17th and 18th century because as he traveled from place to place he might bring news and information that could stir up trouble! Keep the masses ignorant! Hmmm sounds familiar!

An organ grinder with his monkey in the late 1800's photo credit

What do You think of Jörg The Organ Grinder?

• Do you think that he's weird or simply unique?
• Do you admire him for living life on his own terms?
• Is it wise to live a simple life as in: "In my caravan I have everything I need, I do not ask for more."?

I hope that you enjoyed this article about "The Unique Among Us!"

Until next time,

@kus-knee (The Old Dog)