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30 YEARS AGO this week Michael Jackson made a TV appearance that sealed his reputation as a pop icon.
His performance of Billie Jean at the Motown 25th Anniversary special caused a sensation and took Jackson’s already huge star even higher
jayb4321 / YouTube
The performance is still absolutely amazing and it’s no surprise that the “moonwalk” would become Jackson’s signature move.
Of course the moonwalk itself wasn’t exactly new (James Brown had been doing it for years) and in fact Jackson had renamed another dance move the moonwalk for his performance.
In this clip choreographer Jeffery Daniels talks about the backslide and the moonwalk and how MJ switched them around
Entertainment12Now / YouTube
Jeffery Daniels was in fact a star in his own right including a stint in R&B group Shalimar.
In 1982 on Top of the Pops he danced to their hit A Night To Remember doing moves that Michael would interpret a year later
Guillaume Lasne / YouTube
Some helpful MJ fan has also compiled footage of the kinds of old style dancing that would have inspired what MJ would make the moonwalk. Amazing
AbejaMariposalll / YouTube
Of course once Michael Jackson did the moonwalk was his and he’d deploy it whenever he saw fit.
Like when he jumped onstage with his hero James Brown
Jackson5Videos/ YouTube
This amazing live take
Skimmt / YouTube
The moonwalk in slow motion is still amazing.
illusionarium / YouTube
He even showed Oprah how to do it back in 1993
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ssjd02 / YouTube
And as uncomfortable as the documentary Living With Michael Jackson was there was a golden moonwalk moment.
He tries to teach Martin Bashir how to execute the moves although Bashir doesn’t fare that well.
moonwalk114 / YouTube
Of course with a dance as iconic as the moonwalk plenty of other artists wanted to pay tribute to Jackson.
Ciara added the moonwalk into a tribute to MJ at a recent performance, even in rehearsals she gets seriously into it
TheCozyman100 / YouTube
Michael’s sis Janet became a huge popstar in her own right and you can see her add in a cheeky bit of moonwalking in this ad from 1984
jarrylfo / YouTube
Usher does a rather good tribute too
Emanuel Molina / YouTube
Justin Bieber even has a go
jbieberrip / YouTube
And who knew, Liam Payne from One Direction could kind of do the moonwalk
keeanubee / YouTube
Mind you, not everyone fares as well when attempting it
Link Davletov / YouTube
Thankfully this guy can teach you how to dance just like Michael which is super helpful.
ApprenticeA / YouTube
To sum up, Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk is amazing and we could watch it all day.
Wednesday 20 November, 2024
Wednesday 20 November, 2024
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In videos: 17 reasons why the moonwalk is still amazing
30 YEARS AGO this week Michael Jackson made a TV appearance that sealed his reputation as a pop icon.
His performance of Billie Jean at the Motown 25th Anniversary special caused a sensation and took Jackson’s already huge star even higher
jayb4321 / YouTube
The performance is still absolutely amazing and it’s no surprise that the “moonwalk” would become Jackson’s signature move.
Of course the moonwalk itself wasn’t exactly new (James Brown had been doing it for years) and in fact Jackson had renamed another dance move the moonwalk for his performance.
In this clip choreographer Jeffery Daniels talks about the backslide and the moonwalk and how MJ switched them around
Entertainment12Now / YouTube
Jeffery Daniels was in fact a star in his own right including a stint in R&B group Shalimar.
In 1982 on Top of the Pops he danced to their hit A Night To Remember doing moves that Michael would interpret a year later
Guillaume Lasne / YouTube
Some helpful MJ fan has also compiled footage of the kinds of old style dancing that would have inspired what MJ would make the moonwalk. Amazing
AbejaMariposalll / YouTube
Of course once Michael Jackson did the moonwalk was his and he’d deploy it whenever he saw fit.
Like when he jumped onstage with his hero James Brown
Jackson5Videos/ YouTube
This amazing live take
Skimmt / YouTube
The moonwalk in slow motion is still amazing.
illusionarium / YouTube
He even showed Oprah how to do it back in 1993
ssjd02 / YouTube
And as uncomfortable as the documentary Living With Michael Jackson was there was a golden moonwalk moment.
He tries to teach Martin Bashir how to execute the moves although Bashir doesn’t fare that well.
moonwalk114 / YouTube
Of course with a dance as iconic as the moonwalk plenty of other artists wanted to pay tribute to Jackson.
Ciara added the moonwalk into a tribute to MJ at a recent performance, even in rehearsals she gets seriously into it
TheCozyman100 / YouTube
Michael’s sis Janet became a huge popstar in her own right and you can see her add in a cheeky bit of moonwalking in this ad from 1984
jarrylfo / YouTube
Usher does a rather good tribute too
Emanuel Molina / YouTube
Justin Bieber even has a go
jbieberrip / YouTube
And who knew, Liam Payne from One Direction could kind of do the moonwalk
keeanubee / YouTube
Mind you, not everyone fares as well when attempting it
Link Davletov / YouTube
Thankfully this guy can teach you how to dance just like Michael which is super helpful.
ApprenticeA / YouTube
To sum up, Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk is amazing and we could watch it all day.
meliscool12345 / YouTube
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billie jean ciara dance Janet Jackson jeffrey daniels Justin Bieber Michael Jackson Moonwalk Motown Music One Direction pop shalimar SHAMON Thriller usher