Residents have paid emotional tributes to a “much-loved local character” who was known for cycling around playing reggae music through his distinctive boombox.
Danny (Donovan) Smikle, affectionately known as the “Reggae Man” or the “Boom Box Man”, was well-known in Sale for his cheerful music and inspired smiles.
Sale residents and friends of the popular character have shared treasured memories of his passion for music and his smile, which “brightened everyone’s day”.
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Michael Riley, from Sale Civic Society, described Danny as a “great local character” who was very well known in the Sale community.
“His boombox fixed to his bicycle complete with flashing lights cheered people up as he cycled around Sale – he really lifted people’s spirits especially so during pandemic lockdown,” he said.
“You could hear his Reggae music a mile off. He was very community minded and really supported community events.”
Other residents described him as a “legend,” and a Facebook post in a local group paying tribute to him has amassed hundreds of likes and comments.
“Always brightened our day at the rowing club in Walton Park,” Graham Whistance wrote.
“The music carried so far along the canal giving you plenty of time to wait for the singing and smiling that invariably accompanied it. RIP Danny.”
Archana Monahan called him a “friendly man who always had a smiling face.”
“He was really a wonderful person who always waved and smiled at me whenever I saw him.”
Danny frequently rode around Walton Park and surrounding canals, cheering residents along the way.
Dr Malcolm Clarke, who has lived in Sale since 1977, told the Manchester Evening News that Danny’s passing meant Sale had lost one of its “local characters”.
“The world needs eccentric characters who cheer the place up, and Danny was definitely one of those,” he said.
“His reggae music made us all feel just that little bit better. You usually heard him before you saw him, but you knew instantly who it was, and looked around for him riding his unique bike. It was somehow so much more acceptable that a radio blaring out of a car. I can't believe we won't be hearing it again.
“He was part of the local scene. The world needs characters like Danny.”
