Moonwalk

            Michael Jackson is one of the greatest dancers of all time, both in creativity and performance.
His moves have mesmiorised audiences around the globe, as well as inspired a generation of dancers. From his days with the Jackson 5 and superb robotic dance moves, to "Dancing Machine" in particular. Through to later years and amazing dance routines in video or on stage. Through his dance steps he will continue to inspire generation after generation. 

Moonwalk
           The Moonwalk was a factor in what set Michael apart and clearly in a league of his own in the realm of superstardom. Michael did not invent the move, but perfected it and made it his own.

First shown to the world at the Motown 25th Annviverary in a performance of "Billie Jean". Although to the viewing world the performance was fantastic, Michael himself was not happy with it, being the perfectionist he was. Nevertheless the performance at Motown 25, especially the performance of "Billie Jean" which featured the Moonwalk, will always be remembered as a magic moment in the history of music entertainment. 

Learn to Moonwalk
The moonwalk is a kind of an illusion and takes alot of practice. Below are the best Moonwalk instructions I could find so why not have some fun and give it a try .

Step 1. Find a pair of low grip shoes you could try to do it in your socks to start off with.

Step 2. Make sure that the ground you use to practise to moonwalk on is also not too grippy, try and find a polished floor.

Step 3. Stand with both feet close to each other, left foot slightly ahead of the right (toes of right should be in line with half the left foot)

Step 4. Now raise the heel of the right foot so that you are standing on the front of the right foot as if you are taking a step. The left foot must stay where it is (take care not to move it).

Step 5. As you lower the heel of the right foot, lean all your weight on the right foot, and drag back the left foot to so that its toes are in line with the heel of the right foot. The left foot's heel must be slightly off the ground at this stage. As you drag back, do not push down on the left foot at all or it will not glide. Make sure as you lower the heel of the right foot (slowly) the left moves at an equal speed. This will need lots of practice to master the right speed.

Step 6. Keep practicing up to the above steps until you can make the movement subconsciously without any difficulty.

Step 7. Once you have mastered that, "kick" outwards with the left foot, but although not quite touching the ground, make it look as if it is touching. Move it out a foot-size's worth away from the toes of the right. No part of the left foot should be raised higher than another.

Step 8. After you make your left foot move so it is at the starting position, lift up the heel once more of the right foot. Make sure the left leg is bent at the knee. Now repeat step 5. Keep practicing until you have the whole thing figured out, and it has been verified by others, and you feel quite comfortable with it. You should eventually get that gravity-defying effect and you'll MoonWalk like the pro.

Step 9. Once you've figured it out for the right leg bending, switch legs, and try the same with the other foot. Lift heel of left, lower left as you glide right back. Left still on the ground, throw out right foot, lift up heel of left foot, and once again drag right foot back as left heel is lowered.

As with any dance move it takes practice, practice practise. Michael is kmown to have alot of natural talent as a dancer. However he also has the total dedication to put in hours and hours of practice.

Vitiligo and lupus, treatments and effects

                Jackson's skin was a medium-brown color throughout his youth, but, starting in the mid 1980s, his skin gradually grew more pale through what was widely considered to be skin bleaching and changing of his features to appear European. These changes gained widespread media coverage. According to J. Randy Taraborrelli's biography, in 1986, Jackson was diagnosed with vitiligo and lupus; the vitiligo partially lightened his skin, and the lupus was in remission; both illnesses made him sensitive to sunlight, which could have caused his lupus condition to recur.

                To treat these conditions, Jackson used Solaquin, Tretinoin and Benoquin. He also had hydroxychloroquine injected directly into his scalp regularly. The treatments he used for his condition further lightened his skin tone, and with the application of pancake makeup to even out his skin tone, he could appear very pale.

In February 1993, Jackson gave an unusually candid ninety-minute interview with Oprah Winfrey, his first televised interview since 1979. During this interview, he dismissed suggestions that he bleached his skin, declaring publicly for the first time that he suffered from vitiligo and that he used heavy makeup to even out his complexion. The interview was watched by 62 million Americans. It also started a public discourse on the topic of vitiligo, a relatively unknown condition before then. Jackson's autopsy confirmed that he had vitiligo.

                 During the Australian leg of the HIStory World Tour, Jackson married his dermatologist's nurse, Debbie Rowe. The pair first met in the mid-1980s, when Jackson was diagnosed with vitiligo. She spent many years treating his illness as well as providing emotional support, and they built a strong friendship before becoming romantically involved. The couple divorced in 1999 and remained friends thereafter.

                 <sup>The structure of his face changed too; several surgeons speculated that, by the mid 1990s, he had undergone multiple nasal surgeries, a forehead lift, thinned lips, and cheekbone surgery. According to biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli, Jackson had his first rhinoplasty after breaking his nose during a complex dance routine in 1979. However, the surgery was not a complete success, and he complained of breathing difficulties that would affect his career. He was referred to Steven Hoefflin, who performed his second rhinoplasty in 1980. Katherine Jackson, though, has said in a recent interview that Michael intentionally got his first nosejob. Jackson wrote in his 1988 autobiography Moonwalk that, in addition to the two rhinoplasties, he also had a dimple created in his chin. From 1986 onward he was a regular client of Arnold Klein, a dermatologist who specializes in dermal filler injection, a non-surgical cosmetic procedure.

In his book, Jackson attributed the changes in the structure of his face to puberty, a strict vegetarian diet, weight loss, a change in hair style and stage lighting. Jackson denied allegations that he had altered his eyes. By 1990, the full extent of Jackson's surgery was widely debated; those close to the singer estimated he had undergone ten operations on his face up to this point. In June 1992, the Daily Mirror ran a full, front page picture, allegedly of Jackson's face, which they described as "hideously disfigured" by plastic surgery. Jackson sued the tabloid and in 1998 they agreed to an out-of-court settlement with Jackson. At the High Court, the paper's former editor acknowledged that after meeting the singer in person, he believed that Jackson was neither hideously disfigured nor scarred at all. A Daily Mirror solicitor maintained that the publication did not tamper with the picture.</sup>

Michael Jackson History Facts

Michael Jackson History Fact 1

Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, to an African American family. His mother, Katherine Esther Scruse, was a devout Jehovah's Witness, and his father, Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson, a steel mill worker who performed with an R&B band called The Falcons.

Michael Jackson History Fact 2

Michael Jackson was born the Seventh of Nine Children. He had three sisters, Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet, and five brothers, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy.

Michael Jackson History Fact 3

Michael Jackson had a difficult relationship with his father. He said that he was physically and emotionally abused during rehearsals. He was whipped, and was called names. Joseph acknowledged in 2003 that he had whipped Jackson as a child. Michael Jackson though credited his father's discipline for his success.

Michael Jackson History Fact 4

In 1964, Michael Jackson and brother Marlon joined the Jackson Brothers, which was a band formed by brothers Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine. They first joined as backup musicians playing congas and the tambourine. Michael later began performing backup vocals and dancing, and at the age of eight he and Jermaine assumed lead vocals, and the group's name was changed to The Jackson 5.

Michael Jackson History Fact 5

Michael Jackson was 11 years old when he performed on television for the first time with The Jackson Five.

Michael Jackson History Fact 6

Jackson's pre-concert ritual included drinking Ricola candy dissolved in hot water. He claimed the beverage helps to keep his throat and his singing voice clear.

Michael Jackson History Fact 7

The "Scream" music video Jackson made with sister Janet is the most expensive promo ever made, costing more than $7 million.

Michael Jackson History Fact 8

Bubbles the chimp and Ben the rat are two of Jackson's most famous pets, but he also befriended a ram called Mr. Tibbs, a python called Crusher and Louie the llama.

Michael Jackson History Fact 9

MC Hammer once challenged Jackson to a dance-off. He was told to "Beat It." Jackson reportedly responded, "I've seen your videos and every single dance move you use, you got them of me."

Michael Jackson History Fact 10

Jackson has supported more charities than any other pop singer - 39 charitable organizations either with monetary donations through sponsorships of their projects or the participation in their activities. The charities involved include AIDS Project L.A., American Cancer Society, BMI Foundation, Inc., Childhelp USA, and United Negro College Fund.

Michael Jackson's Lovelife: A Timeline

With 39 years of stardom, five #1 hit albums, three children, two wives and more tabloid coverage than we can count,Michael Jackson's legacy on the music industry and the world will live on for many years to come. However, despite being an enduring sex symbol since he was a member of the Jackson 5, the recently-departed Jackson had only a handful of romantic relationships throughout his life. Michael Jackson: The First Man I Ever Loved.


Brooke Shields (1984). Jackson and actress/model Brooke Shields had a brief, but well-publicized relationship in 1984.


Madonna (1991) Whether it was a one-night stand or something else, the King of Pop and the Material Girl raised eye brows when they showed up at the Grammys together in 1991. Published reports at the time said while the entered and left together, both were more interested in other people than each other. However, that didn't spark a media frenzy.


Lisa Marie Presley (1994-96). Presley became Jackson's first wife in 1994. Originally meeting when they were children, their whirlwind romancelast only four months before the couple married. Presley supported Jackson through rough times in his life—including acbusations of child-molestation and drug addiction. Presley helped persuade Jackson to settled the molestation accusations out of court and to enter drug rehabilitation. The couple appeared at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards, sharing a kiss on stage. They divorced in 1996, but remained on friendly terms. 

Debbie Rowe (1996-99). Rowe was Jackson's dermatological nurse in the 1980s helping treat his vitiligo—the condition that significantly lightened Jackson's skin. As his nurse, Rowe became a source of emotional support for Jackson and a confidant. The relationship didn't turn physical until 1996. Originally, the couple didn't plan to marry, but when Rowe became pregnant with Jackson's child, Michael Joesph Jackson Jr. (or Prince), Jackson's mother convinced the couple to marry. Rowe also gave birth to Jackson's second child—daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson—Rowe and Jackson divorced in 1999, and Rowe turned over parental rights to Jackson. In 2006, Jackson and Rowe began to share custody of Prince and Paris. Michael's Kids: Who Gets Custody?

Since Jackson's split from Rowe, there haven't been any publicly known women in his life. However, in 2002 Jackson announced the birth of his third child—son Prince Michael Jackson II (or Blanket). Blanket had been carried by an anonymous surrogate in Europe.

Top 10 Michael Jackson Moments of the '80s

1. Savvy Young Star Secures Unprecedented Royalty Rates

Although Jackson's financial status has been in question for many years - never more so than in the immediate wake of his 2009 shocking death - he set himself up for plenty of riches in 1980 with a royalty deal that promised him about one-third of his music's wholesale profits, a figure that comes out to about $2 per album at the time. One can never know if Jackson had any idea that Thriller, his 1982 follow-up to the smash 1979 release Off the Wall, would become the biggest-selling album of all time (a distinction it still holds today). Nonetheless, this is an early (Jackson had hardly reached his twenties, after all) display of business genius that accompanied the singer's tremendous level of artistic and commercial success to come.

Now that he's suddenly gone forever, Michael Jackson is guaranteed to receive various tributes and appear as the subject of all manner of remembrances. Some of these will inevitably focus on his perceived physical and behavioral oddities, as well as the controversies that have swirled around Jackson for the better part of the last half-century. But when it comes to pop culture, the superstar was everywhere during the '80s. Here's a look at some of Jackson's most memorable '80s moments, all of which cemented him before the decade was out as, arguably, the most famous and successful entertainer of all time.

2. Motown 25 Live Performance - the Moonwalk

In March 1983, still in the relatively early part of Thriller's 80 consecutive weeks as a Top 10 album on Billboard's Hot 200 chart, Jackson performed live on Motown's 25th anniversary television special to tremendous audience notice. With more than 47 million viewers, the appearance clearly rivaled the Elvis Presley and Beatles Ed Sullivan Show landmark performances, and so Jackson's public debut of his "Moonwalk" dance functioned as just so much sparkly icing on the cake. As if his success weren't already like an out-of-control pop culture wildfire, Jackson injected his unique sense of style and fashion completely into the American bloodstream. "Iconic" began to take on fresh meaning in the wake of Jackson's dominion.

3. Jackson Still on Fire in '84... Literally

With Thriller still holding its impressive grip on record-buyers in America and increasingly worldwide, practically anything Jackson did had a tendency to make the news. But in January 1984, while filming a TV commercial for Pepsi Cola in Los Angeles, Jackson suffered second-degree burns to his scalp when his hair caught fire as the result of pyrotechnics gone wrong. The incident did not gravely endanger the singer, but it did reveal his tendency toward philanthropy. Donating his $1.5 million settlement for the accident to a California burn center, Jackson certainly proved that his own profits were far from his only concern as a global citizen. Generosity and empathy were always a couple of his strengths, after all.

4. "We Are the World" & Humanitarian Peak

Demonstrating himself as a public figure more than willing to share his riches for what he determined to be worthy causes, Jackson led the rash of celebrities that contributed to famine relief single "We Are the World," a tune he co-wrote with fellow contemporary superstarLionel Richie. During the same period of 1984-1985, Jackson had already donated his considerable profits from his 1984 world tour to various charities, making him perhaps one of the most active and wealthy humanitarians of the mid-'80s. This period certainly made a strong case for Jackson's long-standing reputation as a force for good, despite the controversies and scandals that would dog him for the rest of his life.

5. Jackson Outbids Paul McCartney to Buy Up Beatles Songs

Jackson's collaborations with other stars during his peak period of popularity extended to many corners of the entertainment world, but his mid-'80s partnership with former Beatle Paul McCartney remained among his most visible. Despite a friendship with McCartney, Jackson aggressively sought to buy a song catalogue that contained many Lennon-McCartney compositions. Eventually the superstar dropped nearly $50 million to claim this batch of music, alienating McCartney and demonstrating clearly that as a public figure and individual, Jackson always expected nothing less than what he desired. Having apparently gained the idea from McCartney himself, perhaps Jackson surprised many with such barracuda business vigilance from a star so young.

6. Bubbles, the Elephant Man & Other Tabloid Publicity

As the second half of the '80s commenced, Jackson began to emerge as a tabloid figure of some notoriety, mainly for his odd behavior and flamboyant eccentricities both real and imagined. While Jackson did in fact acquire a pet chimpanzee he named Bubbles and treated with what the press regarded as an anthropomorphic excess of attention and affection, he actually fabricated stories such as the well-known tales that he slept in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to slow the aging process and had purchased the bones of the Elephant Man. This combination of unusual press backfired ultimately for Jackson, resulting in the appearance of his long-standing nickname Wacko Jacko, a pejorative moniker he would grow to resent terribly.

7. Evidence of Drastically Changing Appearance Grows

Having already secured multiple plastic surgeries by even the period of his vast Thriller fame, Jackson nonetheless did not begin to appear shockingly different or more pale until around the time of his next blockbuster release, 1987's Bad. By this time, surgeries had notably changed his facial structure, but a straighter hairstyle and increasingly Caucasian skin color made Jackson look like almost a completely different person from the one who had dazzled audiences with Thriller and its accompanying smash music videos. This did little to derail his new album's sales, but combined with stories of questionable health and increasing physical fragility, Jackson's public image began to inspire as much confusion as it did joy among some fans.

8. Massive 'Bad' Tour Shatters More Records

During a world tour in support of the album's tremendous success - including an unprecedented five No. 1 pop singles - Jackson at one point drew just over half a million fans to only seven sold-out concerts at London's Wembley Stadium. Perhaps this achievement somehow inspired the singer's plan for a series of farewell shows intended to take place in 2009-2010, but if nothing else the jaw-dropping success and persistence of Bad maintained Jackson's remarkable stronghold on the entertainment universe. At this point the superstar's music was arguably losing some of its luster, but the same thing can certainly not be said about Jackson's fame or his continuing impact worldwide on legions of screaming fans.

9. Neverland Excess Ushers in Period of Gradual Decline

Also in 1988, Jackson purchased nearly 3,000 acres in California for more than $17 million, a modest fraction of the reported $125 million he was said to have earned the following year alone. Soon enough, Jackson had established a compound he dubbed Neverland, a kid-friendly theme park of sorts that would fuel years of speculation and judgment about the singer's widely labeled unusual affinity for children and their presence within his sprawling property. Jackson's apparent willingness to funnel his significant riches into enterprises the public was bound to deem frivolous if not suspicious probably damaged to some extent the goodwill he had generated through years of philanthropy for various causes, many benefiting children in particular.

10. Friend Liz Taylor Dubs Jackson the King of Pop

Although the "King of Pop" title has become so omnipresent during the last 20 years that it seems now to have been around forever, the nickname actually originated with Jackson's longtime friend, actress Elizabeth Taylor, who introduced the term while bestowing upon her iconic pal a lifetime achievement award in 1989. Even before the end of the decade he so thoroughly dominated, Jackson began to receive a number of accolades as one of pop music's all-time greats. Few have ever disputed the King of Pop designation, and once Jackson died in 2009 suddenly at age 50, the legendary label probably became all the stronger in terms of the performer's strictly entertainment-centered legacy. May Jackson's memory live on even in profound complication.