The First Moonwalk By Michael Jackson

Event: Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
Year: 1983

Michael Jackson is one of the greatest dancers of all time, both in creativity and performance. His moves have mesmerized audiences around the globe, as well as inspired a generation of dancers. One of the most popular move is the Moonwalk which Michael Jackson, although he did not invent it, perfected it and made it his own.

During the 1983 Motown 25th Anniversary, Michael Jackson literally stole the show when he performed the Moonwalk for the first time. The Moonwalk was a factor in what set Michael Jackson apart and clearly in a league of his own.

This video shows Michael Jackson performing Billie Jean and the Moonwalk for the first time. The Moonwalk was a factor in what set Michael apart and clearly in a league of his own in the realm of super stardom.
Michael did not invent the move, but perfected it and made it his own.

It’s an amazing piece of history. This performance alone took Michael’s super stardom to a whole new level. Hear the gasp of the crowd as they witness the first Moonwalk. Michael then follows that with an amazing spin, which again is another very difficult dance move. On completion of the spin, he bends his knees and rises up on his toes. 🙂

Pretty hard? Well, you can learn how to do it. See instructions below.

Learn to Moonwalk

The moonwalk is a kind of an illusion and takes a lot of practice. Below are the best Moonwalk instructions I could find so why not have some fun and give it a try .

Step 1. Find a pair of low grip shoes you could try to do it in your socks to start off with.

Step 2. Make sure that the ground you use to practice to moonwalk on is also not too grippy, try and find a polished floor.

Step 3. Stand with both feet close to each other, left foot slightly ahead of the right (toes of right should be in line with half the left foot)

Step 4. Now raise the heel of the right foot so that you are standing on the front of the right foot as if you are taking a step. The left foot must stay where it is (take care not to move it).

Step 5. As you lower the heel of the right foot, lean all your weight on the right foot, and drag back the left foot to so that its toes are in line with the heel of the right foot. The left foot’s heel must be slightly off the ground at this stage. As you drag back, do not push down on the left foot at all or it will not glide. Make sure as you lower the heel of the right foot (slowly) the left moves at an equal speed. This will need lots of practice to master the right speed.

Step 6. Keep practicing up to the above steps until you can make the movement subconsciously without any difficulty.

Step 7. Once you have mastered that, “kick” outwards with the left foot, but although not quite touching the ground, make it look as if it is touching. Move it out a foot-size’s worth away from the toes of the right. No part of the left foot should be raised higher than another.

Step 8. After you make your left foot move so it is at the starting position, lift up the heel once more of the right foot. Make sure the left leg is bent at the knee. Now repeat step 5. Keep practicing until you have the whole thing figured out, and it has been verified by others, and you feel quite comfortable with it. You should eventually get that gravity-defying effect and you’ll MoonWalk like the pro.

Step 9. Once you’ve figured it out for the right leg bending, switch legs, and try the same with the other foot. Lift heel of left, lower left as you glide right back. Left still on the ground, throw out right foot, lift up heel of left foot, and once again drag right foot back as left heel is lowered.

As with any dance move it takes practice, practice practice. Michael is known to have a lot of natural talent as a dancer. However he also has the total dedication to put in hours and hours of practice. 🙂

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