The Man Who Taught Michael Jackson the Moonwalk
Michael Jackson was one of the greatest dancers to have ever lived. However, not all of his dance moves were originally his.
When people mention the word “moonwalk,” most would immediately think of Michael Jackson. In fact, many thought that the technique was invented by the King of Pop.
Originally called “backsliding” or “walking on your toes,” the moonwalk today was first seen in 1955 when tap dancer Bill Bailey incorporates it in his routine. From the 1940s through the 1980s, the French mime, Marcel Marceau also used it as part of his performances.
When Michael was still with the Jackson 5, he used to watch the famous American TV show Soul Train which features a young singer, dancer and choreographer Jeffrey Daniel who brought to the show “the backslide”. In 1980, Jackson asked Daniel (together with dance partners Geron Candidate and Cooley Jackson) to teach him the said dance technique.
In 1982, during a performance on the British music show Top of the Pops, Jeffrey Daniel, by then already a member of the soul vocal group Shalamar, was the first person to perform on British television “the backslide” while dancing to the group’s hit song, “A Night to Remember.”
The physically complicated dance technique gained worldwide popularity after Jackson performed it during his song “Billie Jean” on the television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, on March 25, 1983. The “backslide” has since become The Prince of Pop’s signature move. The term “moonwalk” was said to have been coined by the media.
Jeffrey Daniel was also hired as dancer and co-choreographer of Michael Jackson’s “Bad” and “Smooth Criminal” videos.
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20 Comments
Mac T, posted this comment on Jun 27th, 2009
Never heard about the inventor of ‘moonwalking’…Well researched article with suitable video.
rizzei, posted this comment on Jun 27th, 2009
this is awesome..i really thought it was a brand of mj but he did it well pa rin though..:)
Kate Smedley, posted this comment on Jun 27th, 2009
I saw this on a TV documentary last night, I loved Shalimar, didn’t realise Jeffrey Daniel was the guy who taught MJ to dance. Great videos, love the article!
Joe Dorish, posted this comment on Jun 27th, 2009
Good info
deep blue, posted this comment on Jun 28th, 2009
Great piece kabayan.
Eunice Tan, posted this comment on Jun 28th, 2009
This is new to me. thanks for sharing the information.
t simon, posted this comment on Jun 29th, 2009
great bit of trivia.
Unofre Pili, posted this comment on Jun 29th, 2009
That’s pretty informative kabayan. Ok ni nga article ha…
Sonia Doreen, posted this comment on Jun 29th, 2009
This is some information I was unaware of, great post! I have mentioned some rumors related to the late Michael Jackson on my blog URL http://www.soniadz.blogspot.com, Please have a read and post your valued feedback…Thanks
OhSugar, posted this comment on Jul 2nd, 2009
Great information about Michael Jackson. I really thought he had taught himself those move. He was ruly a great entertainer.
Cliff, posted this comment on Jul 13th, 2009
I knew it, I knew it. Thanks so much for confirmation. I am British (and pretty old), and I remembered worshipping Shalamar and their dance moves on “Top of the Pops”.
I had a feeling I had seen that “moonwalk” before and remember trying to mimick it – and I was never a fan of MJ (poor MJ – RIP – attacked too much by the media).
Thank you Shalamar for years of happiness and that great song – “Night to remember” – I will nevr forget those days.
Myke, posted this comment on Jul 15th, 2009
This is something I already knew. I personally know Cooley, Casper ” Geron”, and jeffery. We were just like 19 or so when this was going on. At first I thought they were lieing until they started showing me checks from Michael . They are also in alot of Michael Videos.
Anne McNew, posted this comment on Jul 20th, 2009
great info. I never knew about this.
Jones, posted this comment on Jul 23rd, 2009
I really did not believe it when my friends told me that someone taught MJ how to do the moonwalk. THIS IS SERIOUS MEN . Anyway am from ghana in west africa
xxCloudxx, posted this comment on Jul 28th, 2009
Jeff was maybe the first to make the moonwalk but Michal Jackson perfected it….
Monica Sarkar, posted this comment on Aug 5th, 2009
Very informative. However, Michael Jackson never claimed to be the inventor of the Moonwalk. Even if some of his dance moves were not his own, the way he performed them was unbelievable! Also, there are very few artists who can say they revolutionised the music industry from the age of 5, paving the way for many other black artists. Thanks for the article. RIP Michael.
joshua, posted this comment on Oct 18th, 2009
kool michael jackson is one of the best dancer alive and he is the one who influenced me to start dancing
R.I.P Michael jackson
Taylor, posted this comment on Jan 16th, 2010
Michael Jackson was a legend, a Pop Icon, and THE KING OF POP. He was THE KING OF POP and he will always remain THE KING OF POP. His music will live on forever. It is really sad that Michael died. The world will never be the same without him and the world will never forget him. May he rest in peace. The world misses him, his family, and even his children.
R.I.P Michael
I miss you a lot!!!!
Geron "Caszper" Canidate, posted this comment on Apr 11th, 2010
This is Geron “Caszper” Canidate….the story as told is close but not completely accurate. I was actually the first to work with mj on the backslide and Jeff came along later…you’re right about mj being an incredible entertainer and there will never be another like him…..he changed my life and it was an honor to work with him in any capacity. A lot of the moves he performed were taught to him but he did make them his own….I miss him and what he brought to the world will never be matched.
For more info google “Beyond the moonwalk” for a promo of a documentary coming soon that will lay the story out just as it happened and more.
Geron “Caszper” Canidate
CHAN LEE PENG, posted this comment on Jun 27th, 2009
Good article though…give you “liked it”