Mexicans take on 'Thriller' dance record and beat it

You remember the rehearsal?

Well, Saturday afternoon saw the real performance this weekend when a crowd reported to total more than 12,000 people came together in downtown Mexico City to shake it to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" on the day that he would have celebrated his 51st birthday.

The idea was to break the Guinness world record for the biggest simultaneous "Thriller" dance in one place, and according to organizers, Mexico's Jackson fans did just that, turning up in droves to be led through the moves by Hector Jackson, Mexico's premier impersonator.

Guinness has yet to make a final determination on whether Saturday's event beat the record by 242 students during an event in the U.S.

A total of more than 50,000 people made their way to the Monument of the Revolution for the event on Saturday, and those who weren't dancing watched from the sidelines.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

** Post edited at 4:38pm Mexico City time. The record was previously held by an event that took place in the U.S, not Canada.

Comments

[alex]

i found a funny article on the potential renaming of a subway stop in nyc after michael jackson. worth a read for all fans! http://onthebutton.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/michael-jackson-subway/

[Jesus Chairez]

I was there and it was great - truly something wonderful to see. JChairez, originally from Dallas - now living in Mexico City

[Lisa Risely]

The 242 record is held by the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. Not Canada! What are we the people to rely on the news for if not facts?

[Stephanie]

Actually, the Thriller dance record was previously broken by 242 people at College of William and Mary, in Virginia. Not in Canada. Please correct this mistake.

[John]

The previous record event was actually in the United States. It was an event in Williamsburg, Virginia at the College of William and Mary.