How Michael Jackson's Moonwalk Book and Music Videos Changed the World
Moonwalk: The Book and Music Videos by Michael Jackson
Introduction
If you are a fan of Michael Jackson, you probably know that he was not only a legendary singer and dancer, but also a talented writer. In 1988, he published his autobiography, titled Moonwalk, which revealed his personal life, his career, his struggles, and his inspirations. In this article, we will explore what Moonwalk is, why Michael Jackson wrote it, and how you can get a copy of it. We will also look at some of the iconic music videos that were inspired by Moonwalk, such as Thriller, Smooth Criminal, and Billie Jean. We will analyze the plots, the dances, the impacts, and the legacies of these music videos, and how they reflect Michael Jackson's artistic vision and genius.
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What is Moonwalk?
Moonwalk is a 283-page book that was written by Michael Jackson with the help of ghostwriter Shaye Areheart. It was published by Doubleday on April 1, 1988, and became a bestseller in several countries. The book covers Michael Jackson's childhood, his family, his musical influences, his rise to fame, his relationship with other celebrities, his plastic surgeries, his skin condition, his spirituality, and his creative process. The book also includes several photos of Michael Jackson and his family, as well as drawings by Michael Jackson himself.
Why did Michael Jackson write Moonwalk?
According to Michael Jackson, he wrote Moonwalk because he wanted to tell his own story in his own words. He said that he was tired of the rumors and lies that were spread about him by the media and the public. He wanted to set the record straight and share his true feelings and thoughts with his fans. He also wanted to express his gratitude to his fans for their love and support throughout his career. He said that writing Moonwalk was a therapeutic experience for him, as he was able to reflect on his life and achievements.
How to get a copy of Moonwalk?
If you are interested in reading Moonwalk, you have several options to get a copy of it. You can buy a hardcover or paperback edition from online or offline bookstores. You can also download an e-book version from various platforms. Alternatively, you can listen to an audiobook version that was narrated by Corey Feldman, who was a close friend of Michael Jackson. You can also watch a documentary film that was based on Moonwalk, called Moonwalker, which was released in 1988. The film features Michael Jackson performing some of his songs and acting in some short films.
The Music Videos Inspired by Moonwalk
One of the most fascinating aspects of Moonwalk is that it reveals how Michael Jackson created some of his most famous music videos. He explained how he came up with the ideas, how he collaborated with other artists, how he choreographed the dances, and how he filmed the scenes. In this section, we will examine three of the music videos that were inspired by Moonwalk: Thriller, Smooth Criminal, and Billie Jean.
Thriller
The plot and the dance
Thriller is a 14-minute music video that was directed by John Landis and released in 1983. It is widely considered as one of the greatest music videos of all time, and it revolutionized the music industry. The plot of Thriller is that Michael Jackson and his girlfriend, played by Ola Ray, are watching a horror movie in a theater. Michael Jackson turns into a werewolf and chases his girlfriend. Then, they end up in a cemetery, where zombies rise from their graves and surround them. Michael Jackson joins the zombies and performs a dance routine with them. Then, he reveals that it was all a dream, and he takes his girlfriend home. However, the video ends with a twist, as Michael Jackson turns to the camera and shows his yellow eyes, implying that he is still a werewolf.
In Moonwalk, Michael Jackson said that he was inspired by horror movies, such as An American Werewolf in London, which was also directed by John Landis. He said that he wanted to make a music video that was like a mini-movie, with a story, a suspense, and a climax. He also said that he wanted to make a music video that was fun and entertaining, not scary or violent. He said that he worked with John Landis to develop the script, the makeup, the costumes, and the special effects. He also said that he choreographed the dance with Michael Peters, who was a Broadway dancer and choreographer. He said that he wanted to create a dance that was original and catchy, and that would suit the theme of the song.
The impact and the legacy
Thriller had a huge impact on the music industry and the culture. It broke several records, such as being the most expensive music video ever made at the time, costing $500,000. It also became the most watched music video ever, reaching over one billion views on YouTube. It also won several awards, such as three Grammy Awards and nine MTV Video Music Awards. It also boosted the sales of Michael Jackson's album Thriller, which became the best-selling album of all time, with over 66 million copies sold worldwide.
Thriller also had a lasting legacy on the music industry and the culture. It influenced many other artists to make more creative and elaborate music videos, such as Madonna, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Bruno Mars. It also inspired many parodies, tributes, and references in movies, TV shows, commercials, video games, and social media. It also popularized the zombie genre and the horror comedy genre in the media. It also became a Halloween staple, as many people dress up as zombies or werewolves and perform the dance every year.
Smooth Criminal
The plot and the dance
The impact and the legacy
Smooth Criminal also had a significant impact on the music industry and the culture. It was praised for its innovative and stunning cinematography, editing, choreography, and special effects. It also won several awards, such as two Grammy Awards and three MTV Video Music Awards. It also boosted the sales of Michael Jackson's album Bad, which became the second best-selling album of all time, with over 45 million copies sold worldwide.
Smooth Criminal also had a lasting legacy on the music industry and the culture. It influenced many other artists to make more cinematic and artistic music videos, such as Justin Timberlake, Usher, Chris Brown, and The Weeknd. It also inspired many remakes, covers, and adaptations in movies, TV shows, musicals, video games, and social media. It also popularized the anti-gravity lean, which became one of Michael Jackson's signature moves and a symbol of his dance skills and charisma.
Billie Jean
The plot and the dance
Billie Jean is a five-minute music video that was directed by Steve Barron and released in 1983. It is widely considered as one of the first music videos that broke the racial barriers on MTV, which was dominated by white rock artists at the time. The plot of Billie Jean is that Michael Jackson is walking on a street at night, followed by a mysterious photographer who wants to expose his affair with a woman named Billie Jean. As Michael Jackson walks, he causes the sidewalk tiles and other objects to light up with his footsteps. He also performs a dance routine in an alley and on a stage. At the end of the video, he disappears into thin air, leaving behind his hat.
In Moonwalk, Michael Jackson said that he was inspired by his own experience of being accused of fathering a child by a woman he never met. He said that he wanted to make a music video that was simple and elegant, but also magical and mysterious. He said that he worked with Steve Barron to create the concept of the lighting effects, which symbolized his energy and his innocence. He also said that he choreographed the dance with Michael Peters, who also worked with him on Thriller. He said that he wanted to create a dance that was smooth and graceful, but also rhythmic and powerful.
The impact and the legacy
Billie Jean had a tremendous impact on the music industry and the culture. It was one of the first music videos to be played on heavy rotation on MTV, which helped to popularize the channel and to diversify its audience. It also helped to launch Michael Jackson's solo career as a global superstar, as it was the first single from his album Thriller, which became the best-selling album of all time. It also won several awards, such as two Grammy Awards and one MTV Video Music Award.
Billie Jean also had a lasting legacy on the music industry and the culture. It influenced many other artists to make more creative and stylish music videos, such as Prince, Madonna, Janet Jackson, and Rihanna. It also inspired many parodies, tributes, and references in movies, TV shows, commercials, video games, and social media. It also popularized the moonwalk, which became one of Michael Jackson's signature moves and a symbol of his musical influence and legacy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Moonwalk is a fascinating book that reveals Michael Jackson's personal life and artistic vision. It is a must-read for any fan of Michael Jackson or anyone who is interested in learning more about his career and his creativity. It is also a great source of inspiration for anyone who wants to make their own music videos or any other form of art. In this article, we have explored what Moonwalk is, why Michael Jackson wrote it, how to get a copy of it, and how it inspired some of his most iconic music videos: Thriller, Smooth Criminal, and Billie Jean. We have analyzed the plots, the dances, the impacts, and the legacies of these music videos, and how they reflect Michael Jackson's artistic vision and genius.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Moonwalk and the music videos inspired by it.
When did Michael Jackson die and how?
Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, due to a cardiac arrest caused by an overdose of propofol, a powerful anesthetic that he used to treat his insomnia.
What is the meaning of the song Thriller?
The song Thriller is about a man who tries to scare his girlfriend with horror stories and movies, but ends up being scared himself by the zombies and the werewolves. It is also a metaphor for the thrill and the danger of love and romance.
How did Michael Jackson do the anti-gravity lean in Smooth Criminal?
Michael Jackson used a special device that was patented by him and his collaborators. The device consisted of a pair of shoes with slots in the heels and a set of pegs that emerged from the floor. Michael Jackson and his dancers hooked their shoes to the pegs and leaned forward at a 45-degree angle, creating the illusion of defying gravity.
Who is Billie Jean and is she based on a real person?
Billie Jean is a fictional character that represents any woman who falsely claims to have a relationship or a child with a famous man. She is not based on a specific person, but on several women who harassed Michael Jackson or other celebrities with similar accusations.
Where can I watch the music videos of Thriller, Smooth Criminal, and Billie Jean?
You can watch the music videos of Thriller, Smooth Criminal, and Billie Jean on YouTube, Vevo, or other streaming platforms. You can also buy or rent them on DVD or Blu-ray.
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