Celebrating Michael Jackson's Legacy: The Moonwalk

June 26, 2009

Yesterday was a shocking day down here in LA.

Not only did the movie industry lose the legendary Farrah Fawcett after her epic battle with cancer, but in a surprise announcement that flooded the social media websites, music legend Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at the UCLA Medical Center. To understand the gravity of Michael's death, the best summary came from a local LA reporter when he said, "First there was Elvis, and then Sinatra. Now Jackson has sadly passed away."

Michael Jackson was only 50 and he was preparing for his sell-out UK comeback tour. The night before, he was rehearsing at the Staples Center in Downtown LA, so there was little sign the star would have a cardiac arrest less than 24 hours later.

The details are slowly emerging about Michael's final hours, but the conclusion is the same, the world lost a revolutionary artist yesterday, impacting the whole planet.

Personally, I was terribly sad on hearing the news, I've always loved Michael Jackson's music, and despite his turbulent and often tragic life story, I always saw him as a kind and gentle person. In fact, Michael's Dangerous album was the first ever CD I bought from a shop -- before then it was cassettes. His music has been a part of my life, and society, for decades. He will be sorely missed.

So, why am I talking about Michael Jackson on Space Disco? Well, for a start, I'm a music lover. Second, he re-invented music, definitely the legend of the pop music world. And as Discovery Tech Producer Tracy over at Material World points out, Michael Jackson was also an inventor, securing a patent for the 'anti-gravity' technique he and his dancers used during the making of the Smooth Criminal video.

But probably the most enduring image for me is Michael performing the "Moonwalk," his self-styled technique where he appears to be weightless, walking forwards, yet drifting backwards. He first performed the move in a 1983 television special called Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever during a performance of Billie Jean (below).

As we approach the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, it seems fitting to remember Michael's interpretation of Moonwalking down here on Earth. Enjoy.

"Michael Jackson's signature moonwalk "became the single best-known bit of celebrity body language since the four Beatles." -- Wikipedia in reference to the 1992 Encyclopedia of Pop Culture.

Comments

[Raul Cruz]

Shortly after the completion of Big Pun Legacy Album (May 19th 2009), My very next project was to be entitled

Michael Jackson's "This is it" Album to coincide with his comeback tour in London but with the news of his passing,

I had decided to change the title to Michael Jackson's "Legacy" Album.

If you would like more information about this project, join me here:
www.myspace.com/mjlegacy
www.tribalklik.com/mjlegacy.html

Raul Cruz

[Sick]

MJ was awesome. RIP man!

[Kim O'Neill]

One of the best tributes Ian (not biased in any way!).
Very appropriate to associate Michael's immense talent, and his "moonwalk", with the 40th Anniversary of the actual moon walk!
I'm sure we will also be celebrating Michael's "moonwalk" in 40 years time.
A wonderful performer and, even more importantly, a wonderful human being.