ANDERSON - In 1974, bass guitarist Bo Baker was getting ready for a show with the Robert White Trio at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis.

The trio was opening for the popular Jackson 5, known then for “ABC,” “I’ll Be There” and a string of pop hits starring young Michael Jackson.

Baker’s trio was a natural choice to open the show. Based in St. Louis, the trio typically performed Jackson 5 cover hits in their shows, recalled Baker, now living in Anderson.

Baker sang Michael Jackson’s parts.

Before the ‘74 show, Baker rode in an elevator with the young pop sensation. Though the two were just a year apart in age, Baker towered over Jackson.

“He seemed quiet. He was reserved,” Baker said. ”There were girls down in the lobby. I remember him kicking some of them away. He was really stand-offish. He didn’t want to be around people.”

A friend snapped a Polaroid of Baker and Jackson. The photo is long gone. But Baker’s respect for the recently departed Michael Jackson has not diminished.

On Thursday, June 25, Baker joined the rest of the world in a state of shock at the sudden passing of the King of Pop.

Baker, a local country musician, was unsure how to handle the news.

His manager, Frank R. Stapleton of the local Trump Card Productions, says he told Baker to write down his thoughts. Soon, those words turned into an original tribute to the fallen icon.

Baker’s song, “Michael’s Gone,” is an acoustic, country-western ode to the pop star he met when he was just a teenager.

The lyrics honor the star’s influence on American pop culture.

“Michael Jackson, he was a one, a man who cast a shadow upon the sun. He left us with a reason to hang on.”

Baker is accompanied by singer Stephanie Dittlinger who was called by Baker as she was headed to her job at IHOP in Anderson.

She called her boss and within 30 minutes was recording with Baker in Studio D in Summitville.