Two ways to dance to a beat... (note: Michael Jackson content)

[Zeke]

Given all the MJ publicity and dance bytes, I thought I'd share my observations of dance. Basically, most people dance to the downbeat and they begin their move at the beat. If they are doing some variation of a bob and weave, they start the bob, or shuffle the feet at the beat.

Jackson and most other African American dancers end the move at the downbeat. They can use off beats and up beats for timing, but usually end up still for that fraction of a second that the down beat occurs. Watch the 80's robot style and you'll see what I mean.

So, IOW, white people can't dance. Not like this guy.

[Pazuzu]

Part of the beauty of rock steady/reggae/ska is the "backwards" sound for us Westerners.

[bivenator]

Wife and I were discussing the moonwalk around the dinner table. I thought that during the onslaught of MJ coverage I heard that he introduced the world to the moonwalk while performing Billie Jean duing an awards show (billbord grammy ect) She said no that it had been done before that.
I countered with James Brown moves being very similar but more sideways than straight back. I tried to demo but spilled my beverage in the process.
Any body care to opine on the start of the moonwalk.

[Zeke]

Many of the hip hop dance moves are smooth motion like the moonwalk. James Brown is good. In this video he does about everything but the actual backwards walk.

[Tidybuoy]

Michael Jackson did invent the Moonwalk and introduced it in the Billy Jean video. He did dance to Billy Jean during the MoTown 25th anniversary where he did the moonwalk onstage (which was a great show) but it had been previously introduced when the actual Billy Jean video came out.

As far as James Brown...Michael Jackson said many, many times that James Brown was his inspiration.

[Gogar]

Both those BAT-SHIRT-CRAZY bastages could really, really dance. Tough to dispute that. Some butt-sniffin' bifocal-wearin' Porsche owner will post something about Gene Kelly, though.

[bt1211]

MJ did NOT invent the moonwalk. He borrowed/took it from pop-and-lock street dancers, who took it from Marcel Marceau.

It was a pretty common street dance move that MJ incorporated into his moves.

[Amail]

I taught my kids how to moonwalk. Really cool seeing a 6 year old get it right!

Put your weight on one leg and bend the knee. Straighten the other knee, then slide the foot back. Shift weight to the back foot, bend that knee, straighten the other knee, and repeat.

[trekkor]

What's with the crotch grabbing ?!?


KT

[GH85Carrera]

That is more information than I ever need to know about dance.

[onlycafe]

ok, i'll be the old guy. here is some classy dancing. sorry, no crotch grabbing here for the younger generation.

[onlycafe]

[jyl]

You can see tap and vaudeville in Jackson's dance. Also mime and disco. All with lots of energy and sort of a percussive timing. He could dance with just one ankle or one hand, or his shoulders.

[HardDrive]

[Racerbvd]

Now, these guys did it right BITD!!!

[svandamme]

i can do all of them, but i don't dress like that
chicks dig it