Black Francis

by Eugene Chadbourne
Black Francis is the stage name contrived by and for Charles Thompson during his residency in college rock band the Pixies, a period that ran from the group's formation in Boston during 1986 until the dark day in 1993 when Black Francis announced during a BBC radio interview that the group was disbanding. The other members of the Pixies such as Kim Deal were not yet wise to this, finding out a tad bit later when their now former associate faxed them a transcription of relevant parts of the radio show. Thompson's next show business identity was as Frank Black, often in the band-leading context of Frank Black and the Catholics. Publishing bean counters can watch for songwriting credits under both pseudonyms as well as under Charles Thompson; in the latter case he should not be confused with the famed classic jazz keyboardist whose works were recorded by Charlie Parker and many others. Truly frankly speaking, following the 2004 re-formation of the Pixies, fans were apparently free to think of Thompson as either Black Francis or Frank Black.