The origin of the 'Moonwalk': this is how Michael Jackson's famous dance step was created
This Wednesday, Michael Jackson would have turned 60 years old. The one known as the 'king of pop' was born on August 29, 1958 into a family of artists based in Indiana (United States). A family that transmitted him the love for music and that made him one of the most important stars in the history of music.
With just five years, his artistic career began after joining the group The Jackson 5 with his brothers. There he would become the main voice and the leader of a group that published a dozen albums and that would gain the recognition of the music scene thanks to songs like 'I want you back', ABC 'or' I'll be there ' , among other. In 1971, after two decades with his brothers, Michael Jackson began his solo career, despite the fact that he continued to collaborate with his family.
From 'Got to be there' to 'Thriller'
In 1972, Jackson would publish 'Got to be there'. At just 13 years old, the 'king of pop' released his first studio album and it became a bestseller around the world. A prelude to what would happen in the 80s, where he would establish himself as one of the most important stars in history thanks to albums like 'Thriller' or 'Bad', among others.
A decade later, in 1982, Michael Jackson released 'Thriller', his most recognized album. A title in which he would include hits like 'Thriller', 'Beat it' and 'Billie Jean', among others, and in which he would make some of his dance steps part of popular culture. From the trick of leaning 45 degrees or the robot to the 'Moonwalk', the most recognized dance step of him.
The origin of the 'Moonwalk'
In March 1983, Jackson met once again with his siblings for a performance on the television special "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever," which aired on NBC. A special in which the 'king of pop' would also act alone, leaving for the memory one of the most special performances of the youngest of the Jackson 5. Dressed in a black sequin jacket and a golf glove, the singer performed her hit 'Billie Jean' and unveiled her latest dance move, the 'Moonwalk'. Since then, this dance step would become the hallmark of an artist who, despite everything, never said that it was his invention nor did he ever take credit for his invention.
Following the artist's death, Latoya Jackson revealed that dancer Geron Candidate, one of the students of the popular Jeffrey Daniels, taught him this dance move three years before he first showed it on the television special. When Jackson first saw the dance move in 1981, he decided to contact the dancer to teach him what is now known as 'Moonwalk'. However, you have to go back to 1932 to see how what is now known as one of the most important dance steps in history was created.
The references of the 'Moonwalk'
At that time, artist Cab Callowey was triumphing with songs like 'Kikin' the gong around ',' Minnie The Moocher ',' St. James Infirmary 'or' Zaz Zuh Zaz '. With jazz as his banner, Callowey was as surprised by his voice as by his electric movements. Movements among which 'The Buzz' stood out. A dance step, in which Callowey glided across the stage that evokes Michael Jackson's 'Moonwalk'. Therefore, and even though it was perfected by the 'king of pop', 'The buzz' is considered the father of the classic dance move.
Since then, many have tried to imitate Callowey and his popular 'The Buzz'. Among them are the popular French mime Marcel Marceau, who inspired Michael Jackson with his 'March against the wind', the Mexican dancer Adalberto Martinez 'Resortes' and artists such as Bill Bailey or James Brown. A step that has gone down in history and that keeps the memory alive of one of the most important music stars in history.
