Michael Jackson Debuting The Moonwalk
On March 25, 1983, he performed live on the
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television
special, both with The Jackson 5 and on his own
singing “Billie Jean”. Debuting his signature
dance move — the moonwalk — his performances during
the event were seen by 47 million viewers during its
initial airing, and drew comparisons to Elvis Presley’s
and the The Beatles’ appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.
The New York Times said, “The moonwalk that he made famous
is an apt metaphor for his dance style.