Quenton Ashlyn
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J. Quenton Ashlyn (19 November 1858 - 5 January 1933) was the pseudonym of society entertainer Frank Kennedy.
In his autobiography, The Mighty God and a Sinner, Kennedy describes his natural talent for music and that the concert hall and theatre greatly fascinated him.[1] Before his entertainment career he was employed in clerical duties on a Royal Commission, but he became so successful as a society entertainer that he abandoned government service.[2]
He composed humorous songs which achieved popularity and a wide circulation. One of his works that is still popular is 'The Bassoon', which is still played today.[3][4][5] It also has been professionally recorded in 'The Playful Pachyderm: Classic Miniatures for Bassoon and Orchestra', with Laurence Perkins as the bassoonist.[3]
He attended the Torrey-Alexander revival meetings at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 1905, after which he gave up the theatre life and lived as a devout Christian. This was not a rash decision. He grew tired of playing a fool and being laughed at.[2] He was also miserable during his stage years. Giving up the stage as well as giving up drinking, smoking, and billiards greatly improved his mood.[2] His choice was greatly influenced by his Christian mother, who grew up in the London slums.[2] She spoke greatly of her joy, which he never understood until following her lifestyle.[2]
He stayed out the limelight until he died in 1933, at the age of 74, under circumstances not known.[6]
References
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