Moonwalk (dance) facts for kids

Michael Jackson performing the moonwalk for the first time during the performance of "Billie Jean" on Motown 25

The moonwalk, or backslide, is a popping dance move in which the performer glides backwards but their body actions suggest forward motion. It became popular around the world when Michael Jackson performed the move during his performance in 1983. He later included the moonwalk in tours and live performances. Jackson has been credited as renaming the "backslide" to the moonwalk and it became his signature move.

Technique

The moonwalk

An illusion is involved in creating the appearance of the dancer gliding backwards. Initially, the front foot is held flat on the ground, while the back foot is in a tiptoe position. The flat front foot remains on the ground but is sliding lightly and smoothly backward past the tip-toe back foot. What is now the front foot is lowered flat, while the back foot is raised into the tiptoe position. These steps are repeated over and over creating the illusion that the dancer is being pulled backwards by an unseen force while trying to walk forward.

Michael Jackson and the moonwalk

In 1983, Michael Jackson performed the moonwalk during a performance of "Billie Jean" on Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever which made it a global sensation.

Michael Jackson first performed the dance in public on March 25, 1983 during the television special, Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, in front of a live audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The dance became world-famous two months later when the show made its television premiere.

Moonwalking received widespread attention, and from then on, the moonwalk became Jackson's signature move for his song "Billie Jean". Michael Jackson's autobiography was titled Moonwalk, and he also starred in a 1988 film titled Moonwalker.