Appearance: Indescribable.
And he is in the news because? Kennedy is usually in the news for something or other. Slaughtering Jimi Hendrix on the fiddle, for instance, or playing amplified Elgar from the upper deck of an open-topped London bus.
OK, why he is in the news this week, then? Because on Sunday, Kennedy will play a concert in Belgrade. This will make him the first musician from western Europe to play in the Yugoslav capital since the end of the Nato bombing campaign.
Haven't the citizens of Belgrade suffered enough? The bombing of their fine city has not been a pleasant experience. It is hoped that the flamboyant fiddler's flying fingers will help to signal a new era of peace and harmony.
I see. And what, pray, will the eccentric academician be playing? He'll play the Bruch Violin Concerto (recently voted Top of the Classical Pops by Classic FM listeners). He will play JS Bach's mellifluous Double Concerto, along with violinist Biljana Kitanovic. Then he will do some solo pieces by Bach. And if they're very lucky, the denizens of Belgrade may be treated to Kennedy's favourite, the Match Of The Day theme.
First cruise missiles, now the ghost of Jimmy Hill. It should make a remarkable evening: Unquestionably so. Kennedy will be accompanied by the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, and they will perform at the SAVA concert hall, whose director, George Milutinovic, says: "We are overwhelmed with joy that Kennedy has agreed to come to Belgrade for this concert. We have always welcomed this great violinist to our city. Musicians can provide a symbol of healing and this is intended as a concert for peace, helping the ordinary people of our community in Belgrade back into a life of normality."
Will that nice Mr Milosevic be attending? He prefers the sound of beatings and gunfire.
Not to be confused with: An American senator; Sir Simon Rattle; John Simpson.
