On March 25, 1983, over 47 million people watched Michael Jackson gliding backward like he was walking on air. Most folks think a professional dancer created that move. Michael actually learned the basics of that legendary glide from an 8-year-old boy playing in a kitchen.
He took a simple street trick called the backslide and turned it into his identity. His brother, Marlon, revealed that his young nephew was the one who first showed Michael how to move his feet. Michael waited until his brothers left the stage so he could have the moment alone. When he put on that black fedora and started the song Billie Jean, history changed forever.
Watch the footage of the night he finally showed it to the world:
Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Motown 25)
People still talk about how quiet the room went when he started moving. One viewer said they remember exactly where they were sitting when they saw it on TV. Another fan mentioned that no one has ever been able to do it quite like Michael. It was the moment a star turned into a legend.
That famous night was a huge win, but Michael did not do it alone. He knew he needed to sharpen his skills to impress the world. This led him to a man named Jeffrey Daniel, who was already a star on the dance floor.
Shalamar – A Night To Remember (Top of the Pops, 1982)
Jeffrey Daniel was the man who polished the move and taught Michael the true backslide. In this second video, you can see Jeffrey performing the move a year before Michael did. It shows that even the biggest stars have to start somewhere.
Michael Jackson never stopped learning. He was a hard worker who respected the history of dance. His journey from a young boy to the top of the world is truly inspiring. Follow Michael Jackson on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more incredible memories.