Renowned dancer and choreographer Jeffrey Daniel has opened up on his pivotal role in teaching the late pop legend Michael Jackson the Moonwalk, the dance move that went on to define an era in music history. In a recent interview, Daniel recounted how his background as a street dancer in the 1970s helped him introduce Jackson to the glide step that later became a global phenomenon.
Daniel, who rose to fame as a member of the R&B group Shalamar, explained that the Moonwalk was originally known as the “backslide,” a move popular among street performers and breakdancers. According to him, Jackson had long admired the fluidity and illusion created by the dance and was determined to perfect it for his stage performances. Their collaboration eventually brought the move from underground dance circles to the world stage.
The breakthrough came in 1983, when Michael Jackson debuted the Moonwalk during a televised performance of Billie Jean on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever special. The performance stunned audiences and instantly turned the Moonwalk into a cultural touchstone. Daniel recalled that Jackson’s meticulous dedication and ability to blend precision with creativity elevated the move far beyond its street-dance origins.
While Daniel taught Jackson the fundamentals, he emphasized that the King of Pop’s genius was in refining the move into something magical. “Michael took it to another level,” Daniel explained. “He had the vision to turn a simple street step into an art form that the entire world would never forget.”
The Moonwalk became inseparable from Jackson’s identity, featuring prominently in concerts, music videos, and televised performances throughout his career. It also inspired generations of dancers and performers across the globe, influencing everything from hip-hop choreography to contemporary pop culture.
Daniel noted that the enduring legacy of the Moonwalk speaks not just to Jackson’s brilliance, but also to the power of collaboration between artists. He added that it remains a reminder of how cultural exchange between underground dance movements and mainstream music can create moments that live forever.
Today, more than four decades after its first appearance, the Moonwalk remains one of the most iconic dance moves in history, and Jeffrey Daniel’s role in shaping that legacy continues to be celebrated by fans of both dance and music worldwide.
