World Famous Bushman
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David Johnson also known as the World Famous Bushman, is a busker (street performer) who has been entertaining passers-by along Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco since 1980. His current act began after he tried dressing as a robot but found there were too many others doing the same thing.[1] Johnson hides behind branches and waits for unsuspecting people to wander by. When they approach, he jumps out and startles them. Crowds gather to watch him work,[2] often including those he has previously scared.[1]
Crowds usually watch Johnson in front of Joe's Crab Shack, located across the street from where Johnson usually sits, to see Johnson entertain people.
In a "good year", Johnson claims to earn $60,000.[3] He employs a bodyguard to protect him against attacks by the unamused, to distract his targets, and to alert him to the approach of elderly people so he can avoid scaring them.[1]
The police have received a number of complaints about the Bushman, and Fisherman's Wharf merchants have tried to shut him down.[4] In 2004, he was charged with four misdemeanors, but a jury cleared him. The District Attorney subsequently dropped several remaining public nuisance complaints.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Rubenstein, Steve. "Bush League", San Francisco Chronicle, July 17, 1999, pp. A16. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
- ^ a b Matier, Phillip; Andrew Ross. "Bushman of Fisherman's Wharf Gets the last Ugga-Bugga", San Francisco Chronicle, April 7, 2004, pp. B1. Retrieved on 2007-02-15.
- ^ Edwards, Erica. "Spookster more than a sidewalk spectacle", The Lowell, April, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
- ^ Matier, Phillip; Andrew Ross. "'Bushman' wearing out wharf welcome", San Francisco Chronicle, September 8, 2002, pp. A21. Retrieved on 2007-02-15.
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