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Origins of the Moonwalk
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As some people already know, a dance move called the moonwalk (a.k.a. backslide) had been existed before it became the "moonwalk". The video features the ancient moonwalkers and other greats who possibly influenced MJ's style of dancing.
The most well-known dancer as the "orignal moonwalker" should be Bill Bailey who performed it in the film Showtime At The Apollo (1955), which was also featured in the movie Tap (1989). But actually Bill Bailey, pupil of Bill Robinson, performed the very same step as early as 1943 in the movie Cabin In The Sky, which you can see here as well as the 1955 film.
The various scenes used in the video are from 1929 to 1955 (except Sammy Davis Jr. from '65 and '67). The oldest one is from Hallelujah, featuring Daniel L. Haynes as a minister pantomiming a train at a prayer meeting. I was totally amazed by his movement when I first saw that movie.
The most influential dancer on MJ's dancing is no doubt James Brown, but you can also trace the roots and origins of his style to those greats in the first half of the 20th century.
So, the question - "who devised the moonwalk?".
My answer is "nobody". Or all the great imaginative dancers, including MJ, who made great efforts to move forward (should I say "backward" in this case?). The moonwalk is not a thing someone suddenly came up with one day. There must have been so many great unknown dancers other than the ones who were lucky to be recorded.
Amazed by the dancers in the video?
But there were many other greats. You must see The Nicholas Brothers, The Berry Brothers, The Four Step Brothers, Pops & Louis...etc, etc. If you like this vid, you better check out The Nicholas Bros in Down Argentine Way (1940). Then, watch Stormy Weather (1943).
Dancers (in alphabetical order):
Fred Astaire, Bill Bailey, Buck and Bubbles, Cab Calloway, Clark Brothers, Sammy Davis Jr., Daniel L. Haynes, Rubberneck Holmes, Patterson and Jackson, Eleanor Powell, Bill Robinson, Three Chefs (only the feet), Tip Tap and Toe (feat. Ray Winfield), Earl Snakehips Tucker
Video and description by CFJ
The most well-known dancer as the "orignal moonwalker" should be Bill Bailey who performed it in the film Showtime At The Apollo (1955), which was also featured in the movie Tap (1989). But actually Bill Bailey, pupil of Bill Robinson, performed the very same step as early as 1943 in the movie Cabin In The Sky, which you can see here as well as the 1955 film.
The various scenes used in the video are from 1929 to 1955 (except Sammy Davis Jr. from '65 and '67). The oldest one is from Hallelujah, featuring Daniel L. Haynes as a minister pantomiming a train at a prayer meeting. I was totally amazed by his movement when I first saw that movie.
The most influential dancer on MJ's dancing is no doubt James Brown, but you can also trace the roots and origins of his style to those greats in the first half of the 20th century.
So, the question - "who devised the moonwalk?".
My answer is "nobody". Or all the great imaginative dancers, including MJ, who made great efforts to move forward (should I say "backward" in this case?). The moonwalk is not a thing someone suddenly came up with one day. There must have been so many great unknown dancers other than the ones who were lucky to be recorded.
Amazed by the dancers in the video?
But there were many other greats. You must see The Nicholas Brothers, The Berry Brothers, The Four Step Brothers, Pops & Louis...etc, etc. If you like this vid, you better check out The Nicholas Bros in Down Argentine Way (1940). Then, watch Stormy Weather (1943).
Dancers (in alphabetical order):
Fred Astaire, Bill Bailey, Buck and Bubbles, Cab Calloway, Clark Brothers, Sammy Davis Jr., Daniel L. Haynes, Rubberneck Holmes, Patterson and Jackson, Eleanor Powell, Bill Robinson, Three Chefs (only the feet), Tip Tap and Toe (feat. Ray Winfield), Earl Snakehips Tucker
Video and description by CFJ
Jun 30, 2009 12:32 AM
Re: Origins of the Moonwalk
The floor and his shoes were very smooth. He started with his legs appart, pointed the back of his left foot and the front of his right in towards his body. Pivoted his body to give more spin and then pulled his feet towards each other. Then all you need is lots of practice. :)
By: gerrywastaken
Re: Origins of the Moonwalk
Wow! 2:46 was awesome!!!! (The whole video was, too...lol)
By: looloorex
Re: Origins of the Moonwalk
More about the featured films and dancers in this video:
http://strongerthanparadise.blog122.fc2.com/blog-entry-36.html
The other two of CFJ's MJ trilogy videos:
Fred Astaire in Smooth Criminal (HQ)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKanPsUjP7w
Fred Astaire in Smooth Criminal (LQ)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gB0UNey-Uk
West Side Story (Somebody Call Michael mix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIWTrFVEnaU
http://strongerthanparadise.blog122.fc2.com/blog-entry-36.html
The other two of CFJ's MJ trilogy videos:
Fred Astaire in Smooth Criminal (HQ)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKanPsUjP7w
Fred Astaire in Smooth Criminal (LQ)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gB0UNey-Uk
West Side Story (Somebody Call Michael mix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIWTrFVEnaU
Re: Origins of the Moonwalk
Fantastic find. I wish every find could be this enjoyable.
By: Huskerdu324
Re: Origins of the Moonwalk
MJ was smart, probably met some of those old guys at the Apollo who taught him how. He did his homework and learned from the best.
My dad was a musician in the swing era. He used to amaze us when did the slide for us at home. We tried for years to figure it out.
MJ was quite an artist, and so was my dad.
My dad was a musician in the swing era. He used to amaze us when did the slide for us at home. We tried for years to figure it out.
MJ was quite an artist, and so was my dad.
By: mikeagirl1
