FRANK WATKINSON HIS COVER OF ' I MISS YOU' BLINK 182 - so much pain

 

We dive into Blink-182’s haunting classic “I Miss You” — exploring anxiety, attachment theory, rumination loops, and why this song still hits so hard. An emo anthem that turned heartbreak into gothic poetry

The Virtual Grandpa: ABC News Profiles Frank Watkinson’s

 

How a 72-Year-Old Telephone Man Became the Internet’s Most Beloved Acoustic Storyteller

Introduction

On October 4, 2025, ABC News (Good Morning America) aired a heartfelt segment that introduced millions of viewers to Frank Watkinson—a 72-year-old Englishman who has quietly become one of the most beloved voices on the internet. With nothing more than his guitar, a camera, and the unhurried sincerity of someone with a lifetime of stories, Frank has turned YouTube into his global stage. For many, he isn’t just a musician—he’s their virtual grandpa.

What began as a hobby has grown into an international phenomenon. ABC News explored how a retired “telephone man” with no formal musical background earned millions of followers and touched hearts across generations.

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A Soulful Sound the Internet Didn’t Know It Needed

The segment opens with journalist Daniel noting Frank’s unexpected celebrity: a gentle-voiced Englishman serenading millions with covers and originals spanning decades of music. From The Cranberries to Willie Nelson to Slipknot, Frank slows everything down, focusing on emotion rather than flash.

“I just slow everything down and put as much feeling into that as I can,” Frank says.

His approach is simple but powerful: honest vocals, intimate guitar playing, and a refusal to rush any note.

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From Telephone Man to YouTube Star

One night about a decade ago, Frank posted a cover of Willie Nelson’s Always on My Mind—not to gather listeners, but, as he says:

“I did it for something to do. Then I started getting requests.”

Requests poured in. His subscriber count grew. And then—everything went mad.

Frank embraced every style thrown his way: folk, classic rock, modern indie, and, most unexpectedly, heavy metal.

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The Slipknot Cover That Changed Everything

ABC News highlighted Frank’s most-watched video: his acoustic cover of Slipknot’s Snuff. The gentle, trembling delivery of a song known for its raw darkness stunned the internet.

Millions discovered Frank through that single performance.

“Bury all your secrets in my skin…”

The contrast between Frank’s soft voice and Slipknot’s intensity created something haunting and unforgettable.

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A Childhood Marked by Loss

In a rare moment of vulnerability during the interview, Frank shared how emotional depth entered his music. Growing up in the 1960s, he lost both parents by age 11.

When asked whether that early pain shaped his music, Frank paused:

“It could be.”

His originals—quiet, emotional ballads—often feel like letters to the past, stitched with grief, resilience, and decades of healing.

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Original Songs That Carry a Lifetime of Emotion

ABC News showcased This Could Be My Last Song, one of Frank’s most popular originals—an intimate, reflective piece about mortality.

Fans around the world have responded not with sadness, but with gratitude. Many lovingly call him their virtual grandpa, offering a global family he never could have expected.

“It makes me feel quite proud, really.”

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A Sleeping Star Named Marshall

A beloved part of every video is the presence of Marshall, Frank’s Shih Tzu, who appears in the background, almost always asleep.

“I think he must be the most relaxed dog on the planet,” Frank jokes.

Marshall has become iconic—fans often comment as much about him as the music.

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FRANK WATKINSON BIO

Born: June 26, 1953, Peterborough, England
Early Life: Lost both parents by age 11; separated from siblings; grew up in various homes.
First Guitar: Age 16.
Education: Disliked school; briefly attended electrical trade school before leaving.
Career: Worked as an apprentice electrician, retail worker, grill chef, factory employee, and ultimately spent 36 years with a telephone company.
Family: Married Frances in 1973; two daughters; five grandchildren.
Pets: One dog (Marshall) and two cats.
Health: Lifelong smoker; diabetic for 35+ years; lives in damp Fenland climate.

Music Career Timeline

• 2015: Launched YouTube channel

• 2017–2024: Released numerous originals including Time, Miss You, Ghosts, Just My Way of Saying Goodbye, and the viral This Could Be My Last Song

• 2020: Slipknot’s Snuff cover goes viral (5.8M+ views)

• 2021: Cover featured on Apple TV’s Home Before Dark

• 2022: Receives YouTube Silver Creator Award

• 2024: Achieves 1 million subscribers; receives YouTube Gold Creator Award

Frank continues posting weekly videos, each one a small, heartfelt gift to the world.

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In-Depth Article Summary

The October 4, 2025 ABC News feature frames Frank Watkinson as the internet’s most unlikely star: a 72-year-old retired telephone worker who transforms songs into intimate emotional journeys. The segment traces his rise from casual hobbyist to global folk icon, propelled by heartfelt performances and a viral Slipknot cover. It highlights his painful childhood, the profound emotional well he draws from, and the sincere originality of his music.

The story also captures the warmth of his online presence—his softness, his humility, and even his famously relaxed dog, Marshall. Frank’s music resonates because it feels honest: a lifetime of love, grief, endurance, and gentle wisdom distilled into song.

In the end, the ABC News report reveals the truth fans already know: Frank Watkinson doesn’t just sing songs—he comforts the world.

Proving that Success Comes from Passion and Authenticity ft. Frank Watkinson

An Interview with Frank Watkinson, The Virtual Grandad

 

Q&A with Frank Watkinson: The Virtual Granddad of Guitar

A Conversation with Secret Guitar Club In this engaging episode of the Secret Guitar Club, host Brian sits down with Frank Watkinson, a beloved figure in the online guitar community with over a million YouTube subscribers and a massive Instagram following. Known as the "Virtual Granddad," Frank shares his journey as a self-taught guitarist, his love for acoustic music, and his rise to social media fame through heartfelt covers and original songs. 0:57 - Tell me a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, and how long have you been playing guitar? Frank reveals he’s from the UK and started playing guitar at age 15. Self-taught due to the lack of resources like YouTube in his youth, he learned from a guitarist cousin. He worked as a communications engineer, or "telephone man," handling everything from underground cables to poles, often in tough conditions. 3:03 - When did you retire from the telephone industry? Frank retired at 62, despite initially planning to retire at 60. He realized that the costs of working, like commuting, made retirement more feasible than expected, allowing him to focus on music. 4:05 - Have you played consistently since you started at 15? Frank admits to inconsistent playing, with periods where his guitar collected dust for months or even years. He’d pick it up after tough workdays to play something sad, influencing his melancholic style. 5:15 - Have you always been interested in contemporary music, and what were you listening to as a teenager? As a teenager, Frank listened to the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other pop acts but gravitated toward ballads like "Wild Horses" over upbeat tracks. He preferred acoustic artists like James Taylor and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, steering away from the heavy metal popular among his peers. 7:11 - As you’ve gotten older, have you kept up with contemporary music? Frank acknowledges he’s not as knowledgeable about new music as he could be, as there’s so much out there. He finds it harder to discover new bands now compared to decades ago when radio dominated, but he still enjoys exploring music when he can. 10:59 - When did you start doing covers? Frank has always done covers, trying to play songs he hears. With the internet, he looks up chords but simplifies them to suit his style, using basic chords like G, D, A, or C, F, G, and sings in his own way, making each cover unique. 12:43 - When did you start posting on YouTube, and how did it grow? Frank started posting on YouTube after casually uploading a song one night, not expecting much. To his surprise, people began watching, leading to over a million subscribers. His cover of "I’ll Follow You Into the Dark" by Death Cab for Cutie, done in his fingerstyle, gained significant traction after a fan request. 14:33 - What has it been like having over a quarter of a million people watch your videos? Has this changed your life? Frank says it hasn’t changed him much. He remains humble, noting that he earns a small amount from YouTube but prefers anonymity in everyday life, like when walking his dog. He’s unaware of his fame unless someone recognizes his work. 16:42 - Did you ever play live, or do you still play live? Frank has never played live and doesn’t want to, citing his reliance on lyrics sheets due to memory lapses. He feels his style might become repetitive after a few songs in a live setting, preferring the comfort of playing at home. 18:36 - What kind of guitar do you play? Frank plays a secondhand Yamaha F310, a beginner’s model bought for £30 about 25 years ago. He also owns a Chinese copy of a Martin guitar, tuned down a whole step, which he uses for its mellow tone that suits his voice. 21:59 - Can you play something simple on the spot? Frank performs an original song, "People Like Me," inspired by a TV show about wealth disparity. The song reflects on the struggles of working-class people versus the ease of wealthy lives, showcasing his heartfelt, authentic style. 24:45 - When did you start writing your own songs? Frank has written songs since childhood, though he jokingly calls his early work "really bad." He continues to write, with recent songs like "People Like Me" showing his growth as a songwriter. 27:19 - Any notable achievements with your music? Frank shares that his cover of "I’ll Follow You Into the Dark" was featured in an Apple TV series, and his version of "I Can See Clearly Now" was used in a McDonald’s ad in the Netherlands. His original song "This Could Be My Last Song" also placed second in the American Songwriter Competition. Summary Frank Watkinson’s conversation with Brian on the Secret Guitar Club reveals a musician whose humility and authenticity resonate deeply with his audience. Starting as a self-taught guitarist in the UK, Frank’s journey began at 15, shaped by limited resources and a cousin’s influence. His career as a telephone engineer kept music as a side passion, with periods of inactivity until retirement at 62 allowed him to focus on it. His preference for acoustic ballads over the heavy metal of his youth reflects his introspective style, seen in his unique covers and original songs. Frank’s rise to fame, with over a million YouTube subscribers and a significant Instagram following, began unexpectedly after casual uploads. His fingerstyle covers, like "I’ll Follow You Into the Dark," and originals like "People Like Me" showcase his ability to reimagine songs with emotional depth, drawing comparisons to Johnny Cash’s transformative cover of "Hurt." Despite his success, including placements in TV shows and commercials, Frank remains grounded, valuing his privacy and the simple joy of playing his Yamaha F310 at home. His reluctance to perform live and his candid admission of relying on lyrics sheets add to his relatable charm. Frank’s story is one of perseverance and sincerity, proving that talent and authenticity can connect with millions, even from a modest setup. His music, rooted in personal experiences and a love for acoustic sounds, continues to inspire, making him a true "Virtual Granddad" to his fans.

Kitti Kristóf - I Already Miss You ft. Frank Watkinson

August 5: Dreams Fleetwood Mac cover .

 

August 5, 2000 50K

Now, here you go again You say, you want your freedom Well, who am I to keep you down It's only right that you should Play the way you feel it But listen carefully, to the sound Of your loneliness Like a heartbeat, drives you mad In the stillness of remembering what you had And what you lost And what you had And what you lost Oh, thunder, only happens when it's raining Players, only love you when they're playing They say women, they will come and they will go When the rain washes you clean, you'll know You'll know Now, here I go again, I see The crystal vision I keep my visions to myself It's only me, who wants to Wrap around your dreams and Have you any dreams you'd like to sell Dreams of loneliness Like a heartbeat, drives you mad In the stillness of remembering, what you had And what you lost And what you had Ooh, what you lost Thunder, only happens when it's raining Players, only love you when they're playing Women, they will come and they will go When the rain washes you clean, you'll know Oh, thunder, only happens when it's raining Players, only love you when they're playing They say women, they will come and they will go When the rain washes you clean, you'll know You'll know You will know Oh, you'll know Songwriter: Stevie Nicks

The Weight of Early Loss: A YouTube Musician's Journey Through Grief

 

Frank Watkinson, 72, lost both parents by age 11. His story reveals how trauma shapes us—and how we can find healing through creative expression.

In a candid conversation on the Inner Path Seekers podcast, the British musician opens up about childhood loss, family separation, and finding solace in music.

Frank Watkinson's voice carries the weight of seven decades, but it's his early losses that shaped the man behind the YouTube channel filled with haunting ballads and cover songs. At 72, this self-taught musician has lived 30 years longer than either of his parents ever did—a fact that both haunts and liberates him.

In a recent appearance on Jellis Vaes's Inner Path Seekers podcast, Watkinson shared his journey through profound childhood grief, family separation, and the long road to healing. His story offers insights into how early trauma can shape a life, and how creative expression can become both refuge and release.

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1) 1:07 - Who did you lose?

Watkinson's Answer: "My dad died when I was nine. I remember the night he died. The week before at school I'd didn't take my PE kit and I got told off, and then the night he died was the next week for PE again and I'd got it ready and they said I didn't have to go to school but I did because I wanted to show them I'd got my PE kit... Two years later, my mom died. So I was 11... That's when I first started knowing what it was like to lose people."

2) 3:04 - How did you cope with losing both parents so young?

Watkinson's Answer: "I just went inside myself. I didn't speak if you know what I mean. When my mother died, they say I stayed in my room for about 3 days. I wasn't coming out and I was reading the same magazine over again, like a Superman book or something... I held it in. I didn't cry. And it wasn't until quite a few years later, I think I said age about 14, 15, I was in bed one night and I started thinking about them and I just burst into tears... And after that, I felt a lot better. I started coming out of myself again."

3) 5:10 - How has loss changed your perspective on life?

Watkinson's Answer: "I've got a very cynical take on grief... The older you get, it's life. We've got so much time on this planet and we don't know how long that is. So if I think about it, I'm 30 years older than my parents ever got to be... I think now I get more upset when a pet dies because I think we all know we're going to die. We all know that family members are probably going to die... But your pets you think they don't and... every day is a new day... especially with him behind me [his dog], every day is the best day of his life."

4) 12:34 - What happened to your family after your parents died?

Watkinson's Answer: "There were seven of us in the family, seven children... These relatives they took us all away. I went to live with an auntie... 250 miles away and a sister went the opposite direction and another brother went a different direction... If you're used to living with brothers and sisters and then we wake up the next morning in a different town and they're gone. It was a bit... it's a lot of change. That's probably why I think I went very withdrawn for quite a few years... But we all made our way back. As we got older, we all found our way back. Two of them, it took nearly 30 years, but we found each other."

5) 21:01 - What helped you get through those early days?

Watkinson's Answer: "I think it was music. I think I lost myself into... I've just always liked... any young person really pop music mostly all the time but sort of pop music but I've always been a slow... I've always been a ballad person... I think the guitar is like an escape... It's like another friend. You can be really upset, pick up the guitar and just make yourself feel a bit better by playing. Could be happy, pick it up, make yourself even happier by playing... I think I'd go mad if I didn't have something like that."

6) 25:21 - Has loss brought any unexpected insights to your life?

Watkinson's Answer: "It made me look at things differently, a lot differently. I don't worry about lots of tiny things... it does make you think look life's too short for that, life's too short to argue and fight over little little things and I do hate to see families argue... I remember years ago friend of mine... was having an argument with his dad because the music was too loud... he turned around to me and goes, 'God, I'll be glad when he's dead.' And that hit me hard... I said, 'You don't know what you're saying. I'll do anything to be shouted at by my dad.'"

7) 28:41 - What do you wish people understood about grief?

Watkinson's Answer: "I think a lot of people need to understand that everybody grieves in a different way... Some people, like me, when I was younger, they'll go quiet, probably mourn for a week or two. Other people, they just party. Let's have a party... we're not all the same... Everyone has got their own way of doing it. And nobody can tell you you're doing it wrong."

8) 31:00 - What would you tell someone who just lost someone?

Watkinson's Answer: "It gets easier... time is a great healer and it does get easier. I think when you've lost someone you're just thinking of the sadness... But as the time goes on, you don't feel so much sad anymore because you start remembering all the good things before then... the longer it goes on, you can concentrate on the good times you had... I don't even think about my parents now at that part of my life where... they died... I just think of the times we had before that."

9) 34:06 - How do you channel your grief now?

Watkinson's Answer: "I think that's why I write so many sad songs. That's where I get rid of it as well... I'll do the sad songs and let my grief away in that... You've got to use it for your benefit and not let the pain control you. But it's hard to say when it's just happened... some people might do painting. They might go in a room, start painting. Other ones might be into sports... Something to... if you don't do anything with that pain, it just turns into suffering. But if you do something with that pain, like in your case, turn it into music... it becomes something else."

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In-Depth Summary

Frank Watkinson's story illuminates the profound impact of childhood loss and the long journey toward healing. Orphaned by age 11 and separated from his six siblings, Watkinson's early trauma led to years of emotional withdrawal and silence. His experience reveals several critical insights about grief and recovery:

The Individuality of Grief: Watkinson emphasizes that grief manifests differently for everyone. His own pattern—years of suppressed emotion followed by a cathartic release at age 14 or 15—challenges conventional timelines for mourning. His observation that "everybody grieves in a different way" and "nobody can tell you you're doing it wrong" offers validation for those whose grief doesn't follow expected patterns.

Creative Expression as Healing: Music became Watkinson's primary coping mechanism and continues to serve as both refuge and release. His description of the guitar as "like another friend" and his practice of channeling grief into "sad songs" demonstrates how creative outlets can transform pain into something meaningful. This aligns with research showing that artistic expression can provide emotional regulation and meaning-making in the face of loss.

Perspective Shifts Through Time: Having lost his parents at such a young age, Watkinson developed a unique perspective on mortality and priorities. His realization that he's lived "30 years older than my parents ever got to be" reflects a complex relationship with survival and time. His observation about grieving pets more than people—because animals live purely in the present—reveals sophisticated thinking about consciousness and mortality.

Family Reconstruction: The eventual reunion of the Watkinson siblings after decades of separation demonstrates resilience and the enduring nature of family bonds. The 30-year search that culminated in a phone call from a sister-in-law shows how trauma can scatter families but doesn't necessarily destroy them permanently.

The Evolution of Memory: Watkinson's description of gradually recovering positive memories of his parents—after years of blocked recollections—illustrates how grief processing can unlock suppressed experiences. His shift from dwelling on the sadness of death to cherishing pre-loss memories represents a mature stage of grief integration.

Practical Wisdom: His advice about the healing power of time, while potentially difficult for the newly bereaved to accept, reflects decades of lived experience. His emphasis on finding outlets for pain—whether through music, art, or other pursuits—offers concrete guidance for channeling grief constructively.

Watkinson's story ultimately suggests that while early trauma can profoundly shape a life, it need not define it entirely. Through creative expression, time, and the gradual reconstruction of meaning, even the most devastating losses can be integrated into a life worth living. His YouTube channel, filled with ballads that transform personal pain into shared beauty, stands as testament to grief's potential for creative transformation.