The Greatest Dance Move of Michael Jackson

When the MTV world premieres about their music videos, Michael Jackson wasn't just the King of Pop, instead he was the King of MTV as well as the greatest video star of all time. Not because of his amazing special effects and wardrobe choices, but because of his insanely innovative dance moves.

It's because of his innovative dance moves, Michael Jackson has influenced a generation of performers, including Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Britney Spears, who'd probably just be standing behind a mike belting out a tune were it not for the Gloved One.

Can't wait to see...? I'll bring you Michael's signature moves, starting with his early days with the Jackson 5 to the moment he unleashed the Moonwalk and beyond.

The Robot

Michael Jackson choreograph this dance move "Robot" while singing 1973's "Dancing Machine" on "Soul Train." The technique, made popular by Jackson, spawned a whole new era of dance, eventually leading to hip-hop, popping, locking, and countless sub genres.

The Moonwalk

As Michael Jackson greatest performance did on "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever." He performed "Billie Jean" and became one of the best entertainers of all time with one innovative new dance step: the Moonwalk.

The Toe Stand

This dance move of Michael Jackson was typically the Toe Stand which comes right on the heels of the Moonwalk. It simple that anyone can do it. The dance move goes like this: moonwalk, moonwalk, moonwalk, pivot, pivot, pivot, dime-stop, hop on your tiptoes, and hold for five seconds.

The Tough Guy With Flair

The videos of Michael Jackson "Beat It" and "Bad" videos are pretty similar. So check out this signature dance moves: Lift your knee and twist it to the side, Michael. While you're at it, thrust your pelvis a bit, shimmy to the right and strike a pose. That's how simple you do it!

The Synchronized Group Dance

This is one of the top picks of all and no doubt about it, the "Thriller" which is Michael's biggest and most enduring legacy. Although, MJ wasn't the first to do a synchronize dance group, but still he made it a whole and new art form.

The Crotch Grab

This dance move of MJ was not necessarily G-rated choreography. This was from the '80s version of Elvis. As the move was often accompanied by an "Ow!" or a "Shamon!," we're wondering if that's the only way he could hit those high-pitched squeals.

The Anti-Gravity Lean

In this dance move, MJ gives us more sophisticated move in the "Smooth Criminal" video which was originally part of Jackson's film "Moonwalker" Michael's famous anti-gravity lean was done with the aid of special effects and wires in the video, but when he decided to take the trick on the road, big harness rigs just weren't going to cut it. Another trick created by MJ and his team in which pegs would rise up from the stage, click into the heels of the dancers' specially designed shoes, and support them as they leaned forward a gravity-defying distance. Still, Michael did show off another move that was done without smoke and mirrors: the circle slide, a Moonwalk-style movement, with him pivoting and sliding supernaturally in a box shape. Totally smooth.

The International Influences

From his "Black or White" video, MJ globe-trots from scene to scene he dances with the locals, including a tribe of African hunters, brass finger-tipped Fawn Leb-type Thai women, a Native American ceremonial circle, a mid-traffic dancing Indian girl, and a Russian Cossack kick line. But it was his violent, window-smashing explosion at the end of the video that sparked controversy. In the final four minutes of the piece, Michael transforms from a black panther and proceeds to dance down a street, jumping on a car, smashing its windows. Jackson attributed the attitude to his channeling of the wild cat inside of him, but he apologized nonetheless, re-editing the video and digitally adding racial epithets to motivate his choreographed siege.

The Egyptian Flare

This dance move is a nine-minute star studded (Eddie Murphy, Magic Johnson, and Iman) time-travel extravaganza "Remember the Time" was set in ancient Egypt and took the Bangles fluffy "Walk Like an Egyptian" move to new heights. Jackson incorporated his signature shoulder pops and spins with angular Egyptian hand and arm moves to amazing effect.

Source: yahoo music