Michael J Fox continues to be an inspiration for many battling Parkinson’s Disease. In another defiant act against the debilitating disease, he does something that would be hard even for those not suffering from Parkinson’s.
In a concert in front of thousands of their fans, Coldplay took a special video request from lead singer Chris Martin’s son. The request was to play a song from their favourite movie Back to the Future. Chris obliged and started to play the song Earth Angel which is played at a pivotal part of the 1985 film.
Halfway through the song, Chris invited a special guest to the stage. It was Michael J. Fox who starred in Back to the Future. The crowd erupted and then were in shock when the long time Parkinson’s sufferer started to play the guitar for the song.
Already blown away the crowd exploded into cheers as Michael launched into one of the most recognisable opening riffs in music history. The iconic song Johnny B Goode was famously mimed by Michael in Back to the Future but here there was no miming. Michael played lead guitar while Chris sang in a magical musical moment that continues to show the inspiration that Michael is.
Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 and has been one of the biggest activists for research to find a cure for it. Michael does take to stage from time to time to play with the likes of The Who and Joan Jett, who join him for his annual fundraisers for The Michael J Fox Foundation. Fox keeps manage of his condition with medication as well as a surgical procedure that helps reduce the tremors that plague sufferers of the disease.
In his 2002 autobiography Lucky Man: A Memoir Michael stated that he took up two hobbies that he was told would be impossible with his condition; guitar and golf. I think he shows here that he excels at whatever he puts his mind too.
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