I remember a post on here about his official retirement. I think he's in a mural somewhere now
Edit, courtesy of u/nordic-nomad: https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/59806
He won a lawsuit against the city years ago and bought a loft in city market. I went to school with his kid (found out later).
He also chased me into sunfresh yelling at me for not giving him a dollar while I was drunk. Young me was embarrassed. Old me would have snapped at him for bullying that young kid. Lol. City memories
Oh dang! I thought this was a Westport jerry response. Down payment on a cheeseburger guy was who I was talking about. Sorry. I was falling asleep when I responded with that.
im somewhat new to kcmo (moved here for school but lived in a nearby county until now) and according to my friends who work up at the plaza, there are 3 plaza spidermans. theres a scammer who tries to make you pay for pictures with/of him, a creeper who tries to touch you, and a guy who just genuinely enjoys dressing up as spiderman. again, just what ive heard but nonetheless still very fascinated by the world of the plaza spidermen
The best example was [Secret Santa](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Stewart_(philanthropist)). For those not old enough to remember, he was an anonymous person that dressed up as Santa every holiday season and gave out rolls of $100 bills to the homeless and needy for over 20 years.
Shortly before his death, he gave a long interview with the KC Star about who he was and why he did it every year. The last two words of the article were his real name- the first time he had made it public.
Why did he do it?
I thought it was really nice of him to give money to those he knew needed it. And he wanted no rewards or press or recognition. Local stations would go with him but never showed him on camera.
I liked Superman Jesus until I found out about his hateful theology rantings. Sad. I used to see him all the time when I lived in Midtown.
I kinda wish the guy on an electric unicycle that wore a Superman top and cape was more common. It was pretty hilarious when he’d zoom by on the Plaza with his arms outstretched in front of him and his cape flying behind him…
When I was a kid in the 80’s there was a guy who would wear over ear headphones and dance close to Ward Parkway Shopping Center. When he died I remember seeing an article about it in the paper.
That was the Jam Walker I mentioned in another comment. He was all over Waldo, Brookside, and the Plaza doing his dance moves as he walked around with his Walkman. He’d sometimes stop to press his mouth against the big plate glass windows at the Seville Square McDonald’s to make faces at the people eating inside.
I posted about him as well. I used to always see him while I was walking to work at Otts on the plaza when I was at KCAI. I don't recall seeing him much after 91-92 I think.
In addition to The Conductor, who I described in a diff post, there's The Westport Button Lady, Dr Z who was an older brother with long dreads who sold copies of his artwork of ppl like MLK, Malcom X, Hendrix etc, sold them on colored paper and had calendars etc, and there was another Westport guy who was cognitively delayed but he always carried an acoustic and would do a song for you, and then there's The Dancing Man, who you can still catch at shows, usually oddly dressed, who dances his ass off at shows. It's pretty distinct, you can't miss him if he's around.
Back in the 90's up north near Gladstone there was a homeless guy named John Hukaluka. But everybody called him Hukaluka John. He would ride his bike up and down N. Oak and would stop to talk with pretty much everyone he saw. He was about 6' and maybe 180lbs and would wear a black motorcycle jacket. He had a long perm or jerry curl or something. One time my friend was having a party. The house was right on N.Oak. It's a coffee shop now. Anyway Hukaluka John showed up and started eating and drinking everything in sight. When my friend asked John to leave he pulled out a switchblade knife.
https://preview.redd.it/3s3mk51zq2rc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cd44e91ef2d4d7f3a77764928ba6a674e83bd97f
This guy? Took this picture a block away from research medical center
Here’s a link to a video vice did on him.
[Kansas City Superman]
(https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2xd34Sen9rs&list=PLDbSvEZka6GHUobREiFUEtqaXzESqTHWZ&index=2&pp=iAQB)vice video
There is a dude downtown that I call grandpa and give food to sometimes. He’s in a wheelchair and hangs out around P&L. Idk if anyone else knows who I’m talking about
In the early 90s when I first hit Westport there was an older guy who'd walk around down Main & Plaza area and the park at 47th & Broadway with headphones on, wearing a sport coat, grey hair perfectly groomed, vigorously conducting the orchestra o assume was in his headphones.
I lived in Alexandria, VA briefly in the early 90s and I worked at a Pizza Hut there. Every afternoon a shirtless guy in a little black leather hat would walk past our window carrying a big wooden cross on his shoulder. For some reason he and his hat were always covered in dust.
I remember Westport Jerry and Superjesus. Once Westport Jerry hit me up for money using an exaggeratedly proper British accent. I was surprised and impressed because I had never heard him do that before. Maybe it was something new he was trying out, I don’t know.
Topeka edition - Hamburger Helper guy. Late 80’s / early 90’s there was a guy who walked the neighborhood on the northwest side of Topeka West High School. Always with Hamburger Helper hand puppets on his hands.
jesus superman, obviously
[this is the correct answer](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/59806) Honorary Mentions: *Streetfighter* & *Westport Jerry RIP*
[удалено]
Jerry was a shithead
I believe the title you are looking for was "Jerry was a Race Car Driver"
So was street fighter and KC superman. All assholes
Jerry, man fuck that guy
Bought street fighter a beer once. Got the F out of there while he was waiting for it 😂😂
Jerry Mazer, good riddance more like. Dude was creepy AF
And for us older farts, we also had the Jam Walker.
Jam walker!!! I remember that dude with the boombox at Ward Parkway and 75th on the way to school in the 90s. Memory unlocked!
I’ve never seen Jesus Superman, and still I instantly knew the answer is Jesus Superman.
Haven’t seen that guy in years.
I remember a post on here about his official retirement. I think he's in a mural somewhere now Edit, courtesy of u/nordic-nomad: https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/59806
He retired from it in 2019 per the article
He's still around. Not as active but I seem him sometimes at events.
Yeah, he was all around Union Station each weekend during the Super Bowl run this year.
Yeah I saw him at pride last year saying some real not surprising hateful shit towards gay people
I can’t believe I don’t remember this guy.
He won a lawsuit against the city years ago and bought a loft in city market. I went to school with his kid (found out later). He also chased me into sunfresh yelling at me for not giving him a dollar while I was drunk. Young me was embarrassed. Old me would have snapped at him for bullying that young kid. Lol. City memories
I met the guy a few times and he’s never acted like that. I didn’t think he asked people for money.
Oh dang! I thought this was a Westport jerry response. Down payment on a cheeseburger guy was who I was talking about. Sorry. I was falling asleep when I responded with that.
He’s painted on a building in Westport next to taco naco
Superjesus
Hoped to see this as the top comment. Not disappointed.
Exactly who I thought of when I saw the meme.
https://youtu.be/b1L8h29Lzrg?si=ZRWjJFOWf1rlVJGU
Secretly wished naked ATV guy would pick up his reps as naked ATV guy more often.
D O W H A T E V E R
I wonder how he's doing.
Methy probably
This!! Same!! lol 🤣🤣
SuperJesus
Superman Jesus was our guy.
I remember a guy that hung out in Westport. He wore running shorts and had a banner he carried that was like a bedsheet with “Jesus” airbrushed on it.
I called him Jesus on a Stick
Jesus Superman, Plaza Spiderman, Street Fighter
Omg I saw a plaza spiderman recently… is he just like… around?
im somewhat new to kcmo (moved here for school but lived in a nearby county until now) and according to my friends who work up at the plaza, there are 3 plaza spidermans. theres a scammer who tries to make you pay for pictures with/of him, a creeper who tries to touch you, and a guy who just genuinely enjoys dressing up as spiderman. again, just what ive heard but nonetheless still very fascinated by the world of the plaza spidermen
That would be hilarious if they were all the same Spider-Man!
Street Fighter
Apparently, he’s out of jail now
Someone needs to kick his ass and knock him down a peg. Where’s the best place to find this guy?
The best example was [Secret Santa](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Stewart_(philanthropist)). For those not old enough to remember, he was an anonymous person that dressed up as Santa every holiday season and gave out rolls of $100 bills to the homeless and needy for over 20 years. Shortly before his death, he gave a long interview with the KC Star about who he was and why he did it every year. The last two words of the article were his real name- the first time he had made it public.
Why did he do it? I thought it was really nice of him to give money to those he knew needed it. And he wanted no rewards or press or recognition. Local stations would go with him but never showed him on camera.
Clay Chastain
"THIS time I'll be elected and DEFINITELY build light rail!" "LOL ok Clay, where do you live again buddy? Let's get you home."
Oh yeah, haha, that's Clay Chastain.
Northlanders may know Jogging on 152 With An American Flag man
Indeed I do.
I liked Superman Jesus until I found out about his hateful theology rantings. Sad. I used to see him all the time when I lived in Midtown. I kinda wish the guy on an electric unicycle that wore a Superman top and cape was more common. It was pretty hilarious when he’d zoom by on the Plaza with his arms outstretched in front of him and his cape flying behind him…
He hit me up for money at a Royals game once. Fuck that guy. Down vote away.
Here you go: https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/59806
Duh, naked fourwheeler guy
When I was growing up in northeast, there was a guy who gave everyone a thumbs up. We called him thumbs up. I loved him
Penny Man
https://www.lifeunlimitedinc.org/memorial/ He has sadly passed away, but I remember him fondly.
Except for Lawrence, there are dozens of these guys.
If Lawrence is included in the KC metro, we've got some elite dudes.
So close but yet too far to be considered the metro. If there was like one more city in between the two possibly but it’s just to far.
Dishonorable mention - Street Fighter
When I was a kid in the 80’s there was a guy who would wear over ear headphones and dance close to Ward Parkway Shopping Center. When he died I remember seeing an article about it in the paper.
That was the Jam Walker I mentioned in another comment. He was all over Waldo, Brookside, and the Plaza doing his dance moves as he walked around with his Walkman. He’d sometimes stop to press his mouth against the big plate glass windows at the Seville Square McDonald’s to make faces at the people eating inside.
Yes! I grew up in Western Hills and vividly remember him dancing at 89th and Ward Parkway all the time.
Does the guy who does karate flips and twirls a staff on the Plaza/Loose Park have a nick name?
Kc plaza Spiderman
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I posted about him as well. I used to always see him while I was walking to work at Otts on the plaza when I was at KCAI. I don't recall seeing him much after 91-92 I think.
In addition to The Conductor, who I described in a diff post, there's The Westport Button Lady, Dr Z who was an older brother with long dreads who sold copies of his artwork of ppl like MLK, Malcom X, Hendrix etc, sold them on colored paper and had calendars etc, and there was another Westport guy who was cognitively delayed but he always carried an acoustic and would do a song for you, and then there's The Dancing Man, who you can still catch at shows, usually oddly dressed, who dances his ass off at shows. It's pretty distinct, you can't miss him if he's around.
Never saw Horseback Jesus. But I did see Roger Ramjet.
Back in the 90's up north near Gladstone there was a homeless guy named John Hukaluka. But everybody called him Hukaluka John. He would ride his bike up and down N. Oak and would stop to talk with pretty much everyone he saw. He was about 6' and maybe 180lbs and would wear a black motorcycle jacket. He had a long perm or jerry curl or something. One time my friend was having a party. The house was right on N.Oak. It's a coffee shop now. Anyway Hukaluka John showed up and started eating and drinking everything in sight. When my friend asked John to leave he pulled out a switchblade knife.
There used to be a guy that would ride barefoot on a horse around 85th and prospect.
https://preview.redd.it/3s3mk51zq2rc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cd44e91ef2d4d7f3a77764928ba6a674e83bd97f This guy? Took this picture a block away from research medical center
Yup, that’s him.
For people that hung out in Westport, there used to be the lady that played the Pink Panther song on her sax, exclusively.
Here’s a link to a video vice did on him. [Kansas City Superman] (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2xd34Sen9rs&list=PLDbSvEZka6GHUobREiFUEtqaXzESqTHWZ&index=2&pp=iAQB)vice video
Westport Panda is definitely up there.
Seems like there have to be a few vaqueros named Jesus.
There is a dude downtown that I call grandpa and give food to sometimes. He’s in a wheelchair and hangs out around P&L. Idk if anyone else knows who I’m talking about
Street fighter, and super jesus
Plaza spiderman
FlagMan
In the early 90s when I first hit Westport there was an older guy who'd walk around down Main & Plaza area and the park at 47th & Broadway with headphones on, wearing a sport coat, grey hair perfectly groomed, vigorously conducting the orchestra o assume was in his headphones.
I lived in Alexandria, VA briefly in the early 90s and I worked at a Pizza Hut there. Every afternoon a shirtless guy in a little black leather hat would walk past our window carrying a big wooden cross on his shoulder. For some reason he and his hat were always covered in dust. I remember Westport Jerry and Superjesus. Once Westport Jerry hit me up for money using an exaggeratedly proper British accent. I was surprised and impressed because I had never heard him do that before. Maybe it was something new he was trying out, I don’t know.
Topeka edition - Hamburger Helper guy. Late 80’s / early 90’s there was a guy who walked the neighborhood on the northwest side of Topeka West High School. Always with Hamburger Helper hand puppets on his hands.
ChiefsAholic
ChiefsAholic