Goodbye, Shakey

Like any college town, Ann Arbor has had several well-known characters, but none more ubiquitous than Shakey Jake. He could be found on the street corner (you never knew which), wearing a three-piece suit and sunglasses, holding a guitar, watching the students walk by, offering commentary on the world in general.

Other such characters I knew about when in college (Doctor Diag, Stan the Mumbler) didn't last long, but Shakey was always in town when I returned. He looked like an old blues artist, and I guess he was, but really his profession for the last few decades was being the town eccentric.

A friend just emailed me Shakey Jake's obit. Turns out he was 82 (he seemed ageless) and enjoyed the charity of many local merchants. In any case, here's to you, Shakey. It takes characters to give a town character, and you filled your position honorably.