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Happy 30th, MJ Moonwalk!

Today marks the 30th anniversary of “that” moonwalk. RIP Michael Jackson!

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Moonwalk Collection 1983-2009

I was born about 8 years after the Motown 25 performance but that didn’t make it any less awesome when I finally watched it in my teens. On this day back in 1983, the world witnessed Michael Jackson perform the moonwalk, a move that went on to become one of his many trademarks. By then, most people knew it wasn’t Mike’s move (and he never claimed ownership, citing a variety of different influences) but those few magical seconds catapulted him into further stardom (there were claims that Thriller went on to sell a million a week after the performance). Since that night, the whole routine for Billie Jean became a staple in his tours, where the moonwalk was perfected, made longer and extended to incorporate the “proper” moonwalk: gliding in a circular motion.

But semantics aside, watch the Motown 25 performance below and if you can contain yourself, watch the collection of Michael Jackson’s moonwalks through the ages above.

Hi, it's Luke, the editor of Sampleface! Why not subscribe to my Patreon and support the blog?

2 thoughts on “Happy 30th, MJ Moonwalk!”

  1. What an awesome blog! Happy to have found your Michael Jackson collection…that moonwalk series was something else!!! Well Done.

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