A Google Memory Reopens the Stories of Two San Francisco Street Performers
Larry “The Bucket Man” Hunt is gone, but the search continues for fellow performer Edward Jackson, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — An unexpected Google Photos memory from October 26, 2019, sent A.T.L. N.E.W.S. founder Miles J. Edwards on a journey through his personal archives, revisiting the lives and performances of two unforgettable San Francisco street entertainers. The recording featured Edward Jackson, a talented tap dancer whose performances helped bring downtown sidewalks to life, and prompted Edwards to reflect on another familiar personality, Larry “The Bucket Man” Hunt, whose rhythmic bucket drumming became part of the city’s cultural identity.
Both performers achieved recognition beyond San Francisco’s streets. Hunt appeared in the 2006 Will Smith film The Pursuit of Happyness, while Jackson was featured in an Intel commercial that also included Hunt performing in the background. Their contributions extended beyond entertainment, reflecting the creativity, resilience and independent spirit of artists who transformed public spaces into stages.
During a recent visit back to San Francisco, Edwards learned that Hunt had died in February 2023. However, Jackson’s current whereabouts remain unknown, raising questions about what became of a performer whose talents entertained countless residents and visitors. The rediscovered footage has now inspired a personal reflection on the importance of preserving the stories of people who help define a city’s character.
Read the full feature and watch the original October 26, 2019, footage at the A.T.L. N.E.W.S. California Bureau.
Read More: A Google Memory, Two Street Performers, and the San Francisco I Remember
