A tattooed man’s undiscovered musical skill has astounded the public. Years ago, Barry “Bazza” Leadbetter performed on a used piano in the “Posh Op Shops” in the Melbourne neighborhood of Elsternwick.
When the Collingwood guy stumbled onto the dusty piano and began playing, he was looking for vintage music albums. Rosalie Silverstein, the proprietor of Op Shop, was impressed by the 76-year-old piano prodigy who claimed to have “deliberately” discovered the abandoned piano.
On Sunday, a video of Mr. Leadbetter performing outside the Op Shop—where he often entertains the public with classical music—was posted on Reddit. Hundreds of internet viewers were moved by the video, and many of them shared their own interactions with the musician.
“He performed there for a while before I left Elsternwick four years ago! Makes me smile every time,” says one. “I used to discuss the record with this man in Collingwood every other morning. Another person added, “A really pleasant guy, nicely spoken.
Others claim that Mr. Leadbetter is a case that should not be taken lightly. “Judging someone now based solely on their tattoos is foolish. There are that many of them,” one guy wrote.
“You see, tattooed individuals are not frightful. We’re quick to judge, another person said. The gifted pianist revealed to The Leader that he has always loved music and that he began studying the piano when he was six years old while residing in the UK.
Mr. Leadbetter maintained his passion for music after his family emigrated to Australia and earned his degree from the Adelaide Institute of Music in 1954. The talented pianist had to postpone his artistic endeavors in order to spend the majority of his adult life working in a factory. Every weekend in Elsternwick, Mr. Leadbetter plays music in front of the Op Store, but he longs to perform live music.