The “Moonwalk” became a staple of Michael Jackson’s concert choreography. But it wasn’t the King of Pop who invented it.
The elegant, gliding steps on stage are one of the most central associations with Michael Jackson’s artistic legacy. Even today, this choreographic movement seems inextricably linked with his name, but in fact, attributing the invention of the “moonwalk” to Michael alone is a mistake.
Where did it come from then?
As often happens, cult items had several “progenitors”.
Thus, dancer Derek “Coolie” Jackson (ironically, they share a near-surname—their names differ by only a couple of letters in English) said that it was he who showed Michael the move that was destined to go down in history as the “moonwalk.” This happened early in the King of Pop’s career.
The move was based on another move called the “backslide.” Derek was then a regular performer on TV shows like “Solid Gold” and “Soul Train.” He said that one day, Jackson’s manager knocked on his dressing room door after seeing Derek and his fellow dancers perform on “Soul Train” and said Michael would like to learn the backslide. Derek agreed. However, the dancer notes that Michael tweaked the move to make it look like he was floating in mid-air.
However, according to Derek’s recollections, Michael didn’t master the technique right away. The meticulous singer kept repeating that he couldn’t feel the movement—and therefore couldn’t replicate it properly. But eventually, Michael mastered the glide—and from then on, he was an unrivaled moonwalker.
Jackson first performed the moonwalk in front of a live audience on March 25, 1983, at a concert at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, but it was not seen by the general public until two months later on the television special ‘Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever’.
However, it’s too early to take full credit for Derek Jackson’s work. It’s possible he was inspired by another dancer. After all, Bill Bailey (often considered the creator of this move) performed the “reverse slide” back in 1955!
However, it must be acknowledged that it was Michael who brought this movement to perfection, so the laurels of the main master of the “moonwalk” were well deservedly given to him!
