Chances Are You’ve Seen and Heard “The Whistler” in Portland, But Now Read His Story

There's a good chance you've walked through Monument Square or up and down Congress St. with the sound of a prominent whistle off in the distance and getting louder as you approach. Robert Smith "The Whistler," takes his whistling very seriously and essentially fills his day listening to classic rock in his headphones while whistling along to the tunes.

You may have heard about his run-ins with police for "disturbing the peace." You may have also heard the rumor that when he is whistling, he's actively selling drugs. Rumors are easily spread, especially when most people have never had an actual conversation with the man. The Portland Phoenix was recently able to grab his attention and sit down for an interview. I found it very interesting to not only hear about how the whistling got started but also learning about him as a person.