Michael Jackson remains one of the most influential figures in the history of popular music. Widely known as the “King of Pop,” the late singer built a global legacy through his music, groundbreaking performances and distinctive dance style. Among the many moves associated with him, the moonwalk stands out as one of the most iconic. The dance step became inseparable from Jackson’s image after he performed it during the 1983 television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. However, decades later, Jackson’s brother Marlon Jackson has shed new light on how the famous move entered the legendary performer’s repertoire.
Marlon Jackson, who is now 68, recently spoke about the origins of the moonwalk during an appearance on WFAN radio. During the conversation, hosts Craig Carton and Chris McMonigle asked him about some of the defining moments in Michael Jackson’s career. The discussion touched on the Jackson family’s musical journey as part of The Jackson 5, which later evolved into the group The Jacksons. As they spoke about Michael’s performances, the topic naturally turned to the famous moment when he introduced the moonwalk to millions of viewers during the Motown 25 television special.
During that performance, Michael Jackson sang his hit song Billie Jean while debuting the now-famous dance step. The move instantly captured the attention of audiences and soon became one of the most recognizable dance moves in pop culture. However, according to Marlon Jackson, the performance itself was not a surprise to members of the Jackson family. He explained that he and his brothers Tito, Jackie and Jermaine had already seen Michael rehearsing the move ahead of the show. As a result, they were aware that the step would appear during the performance.
Marlon also clarified a common misconception about the moonwalk. While many people associate the move entirely with Michael Jackson, Marlon said the singer did not originally invent it. Instead, the inspiration for the step came from a young dancer. According to Marlon, the person who first demonstrated the move to Michael was a child connected to his extended family. He revealed that the dancer was his nephew from his wife’s side of the family and that the boy was only eight years old when he showed Michael the technique.
The move that eventually became known as the moonwalk was not initially called by that name. Marlon explained that it was originally referred to as the “backwards slide,” a dance step that had already existed in various forms within street and television dance culture. Another important influence on Michael Jackson’s mastery of the move was dancer Jeffrey Daniel. Daniel had performed the backwards slide on the television show Soul Train as early as 1979, helping popularize the technique among audiences who followed dance culture closely.
According to Marlon, Jeffrey Daniel later played a key role in helping Michael refine the step. While Michael had already seen the move demonstrated, Daniel helped him develop it further and incorporate it into his own choreography. Michael eventually renamed the move the “moonwalk,” a title that soon became famous after his 1983 performance.
Jeffrey Daniel has also spoken about his connection with Michael Jackson in previous interviews. In a 2025 interview with Channels TV, the dancer recalled how the collaboration between them first began. Daniel explained that Michael and Janet Jackson had attended a performance by his group Shalamar at Disneyland. After watching the performance, Michael approached Daniel and asked him to teach him some dance techniques.
The two began working together in 1981 and continued collaborating for several years. During that time, Daniel helped Michael refine various dance elements that would later become part of the singer’s stage performances and music videos. He also contributed as a choreographer on some of Michael Jackson’s well-known songs, including Beat It and Smooth Criminal.
Over time, Michael Jackson’s version of the moonwalk became one of the most recognizable dance moves in the world. Even though variations of the backwards slide existed before his performance, Jackson’s execution of the move during Motown 25 transformed it into a cultural phenomenon. The performance not only reinforced his reputation as a groundbreaking entertainer but also ensured that the moonwalk would remain a defining symbol of his artistic legacy for generations to come.