In the months following the release of his mythical album “Thriller” in November 1982, Michael Jackson became the apostle of the moonwalk, a dance step that had become his trademark, taken up since in an infinity of shows, from musicals to circus via the hip hop. Where does this famous step come from? Coaster.
The premiere of Michael Jackson on television
It takes place on May 16, 1983 on the American public television channel NBC, for the evening tribute to the 25th anniversary of the Tamla Motown label. The Jackson 5 brothers are cool, but here is Michael solo in the very fresh “Billie Jean”, one of the key tracks from his new album “Thriller”. And there is another pair of moccasins… Michael says he discovered the moonwalk, or back slide, by watching kids dancing on a sidewalk in the Bronx.
Star Michael Jackson on a stroll through the Bronx ghetto? The legend sounds too good to be true.
>> To see: Michael Jackson performing on “Billie Jean”
Shalamar, the funky class
Shalamar is an ultra-dancing group assembled by producer Don Cornelius for the needs of his show “Soul Train”, THE soul television rendezvous for young African-Americans since 1967. Everything is there: the moonwalk, borrowings from mime Marceau, what would later be called popping in hip-hop dance. Unstoppable Jeffrey Daniel Alex Reed in the English program “Top of the pops”.
>> To see: Shalamar in “Top of the pops” in 1982
James Brown, the master
James Brown, so often copied, imitated or sampled, is a tireless hard worker at torrid concerts with an orchestra with an unstoppable groove. In 1965, soul reigns in African-American communities. James Brown lays the groundwork for funk, hip-hop and has footwork worthy of a mad boxer.
>> To see: James Brown dancing on “I Got You” in 1965
Bill Bailey, soles beater at the Apollo
His Bill Bailey thing was tap dancing and the boater, Fred Astaire Harlem version. We are in 1955, the smile and the relaxation are in order. And in the last seconds, no doubt, he does it: the moonwalk.
>> To see: Bill Bailey doing the first moonwalk
Etienne Decroux, the European pioneer
Etienne Decroux does not back down, he walks on the spot. Actor, mime, choreographer, he taught this illusionist step to Jean-Louis Barrault and Marcel Marceau. The first will use it in “Les enfants du paradis” by Marcel Carné in 1945. The second will integrate it into his pantomimes.
>> To see: Étienne Decroux performs “The march on the spot”
Charlie Chaplin, Elasticman
Poor Charlot who has to distract the customers of the café and forgets the words of his song! It’s regarding not losing your job and living up to your girlfriend’s expectations. So on the track… The film “Modern times” dates from 1936. At the time Fred Astaire was the king of musical comedies and Duke Ellington made all of Harlem dance with “Caravan”.
>> To see: Charlie Chaplin’s “gibberish” song in “Modern Times”
Thierry Sartoretti/ld
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