album art

Artist:

Michael Jackson

Song:

Beat It

Album: 

Thriller

Year: 

1982
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About The Artist

In the spotlight since the age of four, Michael Jackson rose to fame as the lead vocalist for the Jackson Five. In the late 1970s, Jackson embarked...
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RHMF | MEMORY FROM 2000

A Subway Memory

LOCATION: Jackson Subway Station, Redline , Chicago

YEAR: 2000

TAGS: Chicago, Work, Michael Jackson

PUBLISHED: January 1, 2008

For years I worked in downtown Chicago right across from the Chicago Board of Trade. Each day I rode the Howard Redline train to the Jackson Boulevard station.

On the way home in the evenings, the same guy would be set up on the platform performing the same song - Michael Jackson's "Beat It". He was small and slight - like Michael once was. He wore a black suit, the glove and the hat - you know, the signature Michael look. He copied the choreography from the Beat It video pretty well.

The guy did this same routine every night for years. I'm still not sure whether to be impressed or saddened by this. Either way, to me it's a testimony to the power of music in the daily lives of human beings. What was it that made this guy do this day in day out for years for a few bucks in a hat?

I wonder where he is today and if he's still being Michael; or has Michael's troubles caused him to adopt a new hero? Who might that be?

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COMMENTS (2)
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sunshinelikeacid said: That is either a true testament to Micheal or a dangerous obsession. (4/11/2008)

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findaway21 said: You commented on my MJ post,so I'll comment on yours :). Thriller is a classic, and it's for reasons like this, this album reached so many people. It's sad to see MJ now, I love how you ended it. (7/12/2008)

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