Tribute To MJ Just Short Of A 'Thriller'

RIVERSIDE (CBS 2) — More than 1,257 people gathered in front of the Riverside County Courthouse Saturday -- the day before what would have been Michael Jackson's 52nd birthday -- to attempt to set an American record for the most people dancing to the late pop star's "Thriller."

Today's mass dance set a record for California since it was the first of its kind in the state, but it fell short of the national record of 1,820 people, which was set in West Bend, Wis.

Mexico City holds the world record with more than 15,000 dancers in August 2009.

Organizers said 1,257 signed up for the event, but that hundreds more participated, and they estimated the total crowd at about 1,600 people.

The event drew people from across western Riverside County. Some loved to dance, while other came to simply honor the King of Pop.

"I like to dance," said Christian Aguilera, 11, of Corona. "I've been listening to him since I was 6."

He stood with two other boys his age, each dressed in Jackson regalia.

Christian wore a black fedora, a single white glove and black shoes with sparkling silver socks.

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