Michael Jackson altered American entertainment with his appearance on the 1983 Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever TV special. Coming at a time when Jackson was chafing to establish himself once and for all as a solo artist separate from the brother-act the Jackson 5, he made the boldest move of his career in front of a live studio audience.
Singing his hit “Billie Jean,” he flashed the moves that became known as the Moonwalk. It’s difficult to remember now, after decades of pop and hip-hop acts having copied Jackson’s choreography, how astounding a spectacle this was. The man was … moving backward while walking forward. He was updating Gene Kelly dance-steps to a rhythm-and-blues song and adding his own slinky-robotic twist to them. After this, pop-music dance would never be the same:
Jackson made a series of music videos that featured endlessly creative variations on the Motown 25 choreography. It didn’t matter whether he worked in long-form (with director John Landis on the “Thriller” monster-mash video) or short (the dazzling dance-work on songs that weren’t even top-tier Jackson songs, such as “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Smooth Criminal”).
Jackson’s videos had an importance beyond their own existence: They helped break down the barrier that kept R&B videos from being shown on MTV, which originally had a rock-only orientation.
When it came to TV, Jackson in later life did not benefit from the medium. His TV interviews after he became a reclusive, more eccentric man, such as the 2003 ABC special Living With Michael Jackson, did him no favors in reestablishing him as a mass-audience favorite.
But those early and mid-career TV appearances capture what we should remember most about Jackson: that he was an artist who was both very much in the tradition of great pop, rock, and soul legends, and a revolutionary figure who broke new ground.
More on Michael Jackson:
Michael Jackson dies at 50
Michael Jackson: Colleagues and friends pay tribute
Jackson on TV: A classic artist, a revolutionary
Michael Jackson: Share your memories
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Jackson is a legend.
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I will never forget MJ. He is a legend, a god, a hero (minus all of the bad stuff over the past couple of decades) and will be missed. There is sunshine no more.
dum…dum…dum..another freak bites the dust
I have been watching Michael Jackson Moonwalker on youtube all night. I forget how much of my childhood I spent entertained by Michael Jackson.
I’m so sorry to see him go,He is a legend in my eyes! My thoughts go out to his family! At least now he doesn’t have to be under a microscope,he is finally free!
It’s hard to explain to the kids and those in their twenties what an incredible musical talent Michael was. Singer/performer/songwriter, the guy could do it all. There was never someone like Michael Jackson before Michael, and there will never be another one. Dance on in heaven, Michael.
Michael Jackson was such a talented person, great dancer, smart and a great people person. I think he (Michael Jackson) was under a lot of stress. As you all may know stress can kill. I will miss him. There will never be another Michael Jackson. My heart and prayers goes out to his family.
full video of him being picked up at his home and him arriving at the hospital over at http://jjpeg.com/watch28013.html — and download his albums over at http://jjpeg.com/file2018451.html if you wanna remember his great music.. you have to do a questionnaire to get into the site for some reason but it works so whatever.. what a crazy day. RIP Mikey
Your life seemed unreal, to be the King of Pop, a man struggling with being a man and still longing for his lost childhood…..you brought so much talent to the world, I will always love your music. Thank you for making us dance, sing and laugh, I hope you have found peace now.
To young to die, you will truly be missed. Thank’s for all of the music. RIP
God,he was AWESOME.
And we as an audience were smarter and better, then.
Today I can only imagine the list of internet-ready haterist complaints that would be lobbed. The playback, and whatever else idiots would come up with to try to force modern performance to the lowest common denominator.
This is still the best live TV performance of all time.
If his death isn’t in vain, we’ll remember what great pop was and appreciate it more where we find it today.
Tonight, I mourn the incredibly talented little boy who stood in front of his brothers and astonished us with his voice and his dance moves and the remarkable young man who recorded Thriller, the only tape that I ever destroyed by playing it too much. Whatever happened in later years, that is how I will remember him.
Watching Billie Jean brought back memories……
In disbelief to watch the new on Michael Jackson death.
The “Greatest Live Performer” that will ever lived and will not see the likes of that talent again.
He was a Music God and knew his love and passion for the industry could change us as human beings..which he did, so many times.
I grew up all my childhood watching his music clips and listening to his songs….the man was magicial on his feet and his voice was spine tingling.
I have stop listing to music for along time now, as they did not make music that same as they use too.
Michael Jackson will be sorely missed by us all; of the generation that knew what it meant to appreicate the simple and basic things in life – he gave us that in clean, pure entertainment.
End of an era – Thank you Michael for pleasure of watching and listening to you…Rest in Peace!
SAD SAD SAD
VERY SAD DAY!!
pop dead fack yuo
Michael I am sorry that it took your life to see how much you were loved & admired!! You were not alone… I apologize for all of the hurt you went through. Thanks for all of the wonderful music & memories, I will carry them forever in my heart and will share them with my grandchildren. You were true talent!!
Michael I am sorry that it took your life to see how much you were loved & admired!! You were not alone… I apologize for all of the hurt you went through. Thanks for all of the wonderful music & memories, I will carry them forever in my heart and will share them with my grandchildren. You were true talent!!
Michael I am sorry that it took your life to see how much you were loved & admired!! You were not alone… I apologize for all of the hurt you went through. Thanks for all of the wonderful music & memories, I will carry them forever in my heart and will share them with my grandchildren. You were true talent!!
i was brought up with micheal jacksons music i love him to bits he will be sadly missed by all at least he can rip now god bless xpauline
Michael I am sorry that it took your life to see how much you were loved & admired!! You were not alone… I apologize for all of the hurt you went through. Thanks for all of the wonderful music & memories, I will carry them forever in my heart and will share them with my grandchildren. You were true talent!!
i was brought up with micheal jackson i love him to bits he will be sadly missed by all god bless
I remember watching that Motown special, and when he moonwalked, my Mom and I looked at each other and said “how’d he DO that?”…I also remember Fred Astaire saying he was watching from home that night and how exciting it was to see Michael dance…
For all the memories and the music I thank you. The world is a sadder place with you gone. Rest in peace.
Michael Jackson will always be the “King of Pop”
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and good friends who stood by him like Elizabeth Taylor.
Michael Jackson…can finally be at peace. He gave the world his ENTIRE life. Thanks MJ
u wer d bst mj…n u will always b in hearts of millions….rest in peace
I LOVE REALLY LOVED UR MIUSIC AND ALWAYS WILL – GOD BLESS YOUR SOUL…….TO JANET JACKSON AND FAMILY – WE ARE PRAYING FOR U GUYS AND REMEMBER ME – BRADLEY – FROM SOUTH AFRICA – 0315001817/0840385895…..GOD BLESS.
i love you michael and i miss you hole life
what is left to say?just one thing where angels as michael do they go/where is paradise?we all are created by god and i know he promise us eternal life and love and joy.but who can clear our tears?why we have to suffer?michael paid enought to find his rest.he gave us all he could have.he sacrifice his childhood he now even he died like a hero.you will always be in my heart.i just want to mention that he is my inspiration from now.