Before dazzling millions of fans around the world, legendary entertainer Michael Jackson learned one of his most famous dance moves, the Moonwalk, from an inspiring 8-year-old, according to his brother.
The dance move became an instant sensation after Jackson debuted it during the Motown 25 television special. But according to his brother, Marlon Jackson, the dance move that changed how Michael was perceived as an entertainer wasn’t his idea.
Michael Jackson Revolutionized Dance in 1983
Michael Jackson revolutionized dance with the Moonwalk during an appearance on the Motown 25 special. The move was jaw-dropping when the entertainer first debuted the move before a live audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California, on March 25, 1983, for a special that aired on May 16 reported Rolling Stone.
“We knew that he was gonna do [that move],” Marlon told WFAN Radio. “My nephew, not on my family’s side, on my wife’s side, was the first person that showed him the moonwalk. He was eight years old.”
Marlon added, “He told me that they call it the backwards slide. Then Jeffrey Daniel taught Michael how to do the backwards slide, and Michael renamed it the moonwalk.”
In a 2023 interview with Smooth Radio, Daniel added even further context to the story. He claimed that in 1982, he was the first to do the “backslide” on television as a member of the singing group Shalimar on the British series “Top of the Pops.”
Why Was Motown 25 Such an Important Moment for Michael Jackson?
The Motown 25 special was important in showcasing Michael Jackson’s talent outside of his professional ties to the Jackson 5. According to Rolling Stone, Michael showed restraint throughout his family segment, where the band ran through a set that included “I Want You Back,” “Never Can Say Goodbye,” and “I’ll Be There.”
However, when his brothers exited the stage, Michael claimed his title as the King of Pop. As the opening bars of his hit “Billie Jean” were heard through the arena, Jackson added a fedora to his outfit before tossing it to the side and showing off some serious dance moves as the song began.
The entertainer performed the entire song, and as it came to its end, that’s when Michael Jackson debuted the Moonwalk. He followed that up by jumping up on his toes.
That singular television moment turned Jackson into an international icon. Fans worldwide copied his fedora, cropped pants, black loafer look and attempted to master the dance during a time where YouTube didn’t exist and fans tried to decipher the move by practicing it over and over again.
Michael Jackson continues to be a global icon. Generations of fans still imitate his style and iconic dance move until today.
