What does it mean to be an Ann Arbor Icon? Shaky Jake embraced the role. He may have even defined the role. I’m so sorry to hear that he died and I will never again pass by him as he hangs out on the street, mumbling one of his catch phrases. Mumbling something about “keep on moving”, complimenting Zomba in the last few years, nodding enthusiastically when I return his greeting “hey Jake”.
I always wondered, when I saw him, if he had any idea that our nodding acquaintance goes back nearly 35 years now. I first met Jake when he would haul himself up the steep stairs of 621 E. William to the shared phone room of Drug Help, Ozone House and Community Switchboard. Even back then, he was always enthusiastically welcomed and respected.
He would sometimes play the guitar for us, and sing. Short unmelodic, really bad playing and singing, but always entertaining.
He seemed ancient back then, but apparently he was only in his forties. Younger than I am now…
There were rumors back then that made an impression on my young (relatively) innocent imagination of his happy life picking up women and trading on his odd celebrity. I recall a few conversations I overheard alluding to his prowess, and I was never sure if he wasn’t mumbling something along those lines when I encountered him.
I wish I could recall some of the specific things we had talked about over the years, but I can’t. He was just someone who was always there, a touchstone from age 14 when I met him through my entire adulthood. Good for you, Jake. You lived an unusual and notable life. The bumperstickers you sold, “I brake for Jake” (thanks for the correction noted in comment) have a new meaning now, and I hope they will continue to be seen around town.
Your death does leave a hole in the street scene, you were a lasting character well known in one sense, and not at all in the true sense. Thanks for over 34 years of friendly greetings and just being there. I’m sad those days are over.
Umm, it’s “I brake for Jake”. Or conversely from the defunct Bagel Factory edition “I bake for Jake”.
Oh how I will miss Shaky! My friend has a theory that there hasn’t been only one Shaky Jake, but that the mantle has been passed down from shaker to shaker over the years (much like the Dread Pirate Roberts from the Princess Bride). If we see Shaky on the street next week we’ll know she’s right!