The Video Vault: Tribute

Michael Jackson has been on countless magazine covers, news stories, and television specials since his untimely death, but funny thing is, I'm not complaining. The weekend after he died, I was out and about with friends, and every restaurant, bar, and boutique was blasting his music. I became possessed by his famous bass lines and beats, and all I could think about was dancing. That's one of the many reasons why Jackson's presence is everlasting, and his influence unwavering - the man could dance like nobody else. His most memorable performance was so early on in his solo career, that many members of my generation often overlook it, but his appearance on the 1983 television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever introduced the world to 'the gloved one' and his moonwalk. Unlike earlier work like 1979's uplifting 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough,' this performance was dark, edgy and undeniably sexy. He was channeling early Elvis with his pelvis thrusts and tap footwork, but it was his moonwalk (at around the four minute mark) that really revved up the crowd. So crank it up and let Michael start your weekend right!