How Bob Fosse Inspired Michael Jackson

[@lloydtxw]

This should be called How Bob Fosse Inspired Everyone. I knew who he was but never realized how cool he was and what a visual genius from isolation & physical movement to staging and blocking. Watching his work you can see so many modern artists work in it. Brilliant!

[@abramizaackaplan6723]

I think it’s fair to rephrase it as “how everyone stole from bob fosse”. If you can find me one example of Michael Jackson talking about how much bob fosse inspired his dance style, I’ll revise this comment.

[@abramizaackaplan6723]

I’m not saying that he hasn’t gotten the credit he deserves within the dance community. But his influence on mainstream pop culture goes largely un-acknowledged by the mainstream public.

[@eshim3961]

Once in a while, I have to watch. Bob Fosse's seen playing the snake in The Little Prince. You're not going to tell me that MJ didn't watch that clip over and over again.Great Video!

[@maggiv5401]

Would Michael Jackson have been able to watch that over and over? I don’t know that movies that year could be bought by the public, but he might’ve been able to go to a theater and see it. But I could be wrong.

[@Gabrielle4870]

Someone who had a home cinema certainly could have. Not only that, Le Petit Prince was a favourite story of MJs. ​@@maggiv5401

[@MarilynMonday]

​​@@maggiv5401 Michael has always been an iconic star his entire life, I'm pretty sure he could've gotten a copy! Also: The Little Prince was his favorite book ❤

[@ellenmarch3095]

I just met you, but I am so incredibly proud of you for starting this channel. I work with students with speech issues/anxiety, and I know exactly how much courage it takes to put yourself out there with any level of speech challenge. I do hear the stammer creep in from time to time, but your voice is clear, confident, and lets your obvious expertise and passion shine through. 😍😍😍 I wish half our students had your poise; the thing with anxiety is that if you can focus on what makes you you, everything else melts away, and the miracle that is each and every human being shines through. *Thank you* for sharing your gifts with the world. ❤❤ PS. Bob Fosse rocks!! 😂❤😂

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

Thank you so much for this comment. I remember being in speech classes when I was younger and just being so anxious about speaking. My speech impediment did cause me to have anxiety about speaking to people, but talking with a therapist really helped. Later in life I just realized that everyone is different and the way I speak doesn't make me less intelligent than everyone else. It warms my heart that I can reach out to people who struggle with the same thing that I do. If you do show your students this video, I hope they can realize that having issues with their speech doesn't make what they are saying less important. Also Bob Fosse is amazing!

[@DawnDavidson]

@@TrayAndIanBwayShowif anyone thinks a speech impediment makes what they say less important … I would just ask them if President Biden’s speech impediment makes what HE says less important? Congrats on pushing through. Your video was very interesting, and I absolutely agree that the parallels between Fosse’s moves and MJ’s are unmistakable. Thanks! PS: Had a speech therapist myself, at age 6, so I know how important they are! Might have been that experience that kickstarted my interest in languages and linguistics. :)

[@esquibelle]

Also I truly believe the reason MJ wore black soft loafers & white socks was his study of Bob Fosse . Check out clips of Damn Yankees!

[@stuartfosse957]

HeyTray and Ian, thank you so much for covering everything. as an ancestor of bob fosse (dads side) I really appreciate you showcasing this. Michel Jackson was the goat, the best talent, but for sure was took so many influences. thank you again for your time.

[@MarilynMonday]

Thank you for putting this together! Every time you said, "I could go on and on about ___," I thought, "please do!" I love your enthusiasm and the subject matter couldn't be more enjoyable ❤ So glad I found you!

[@shannonellison5377]

Wow! I heard James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Fred Astaire, and Electric Boogaloo but never Bob Fosse. I do see how he inspired Michael dance moves. Thank you for sharing and bringing attention to his work. ❤

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

I'm glad you were able to take something away from the video and learn something. The more you really learn about Bob Fosse, the more you can see his work in pretty much everything. -Tray

[@JackieO_LAX]

Dude! Excellent video! I’m also a huge Bob Fosse fan and I must say, you are SO spot on! Bob Fosse was the best and has inspired so many people from Michael Jackson to Justin Timberlake to Beyoncé, and more! I know I said this already but, you really did a great job on this video! Your excitement, knowledge, and passion for the topic really shines through!

[@colleena.walton7397]

I just googled this very question when I saw the 1974 movie musical “The Little Prince.” Bob Fosse choreographed his own part as “The Snake” and it reminded how much Micheal Jackson danced like that with even the same moves and style of dress down to the spats over the shoes!! Added also here that as a dancer for 8 years when I was 10 years old to 18 years old by an amazing teacher and choreographer, it was her influencing us to try all types of dance in the later years of that time for productions we did in our city that I was introduced to Bob Fosse’s style and choreography. I hadn’t thought about him in decades as I am now much older but not having watched the introduction credits of “The Little Prince” I instantly recognized the dance moves of “The Snake” character without recognizing him in this role right away and had to pause the movie there and run it to the end credits to confirm that Yes!! It was Bob Fosse before I ran it back to him dancing.😂👍 I also have to admit that I rewatched his scene and dance probably 3 times in a row before I could finish watching the rest of this wonderful movie musical. I love Bob Fosse so much! Thank you for sharing this video with us! Well done! Oh!! And by the way BIG BIG BIG Micheal Jackson fan!! 🤩🤩😍😍👏👏 My influential social dancing/music years were the 80’s!!!

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

I got into Bob Fosse around 3 years ago now and ever since then, I've been obsessed with him and dance! I was actually thinking of taking some dance classes this year so that I can understand it even more. If you're a huge Bob Fosse fan, I suggest watching Sweet Charity. He directed and choreographed the movie. It has soo much classic Fosse dance scenes and I have to restart every dance scene because it's just so good. I've been a huge Michael Jackson fan ever since I was little and now that I'm older and realize that he was influenced by Fosse is just mind blowing to me. Fun fact, Michael Jackson actually asked Fosse to direct Thriller, but Fosse declined to it. - Tray

[@brandonjackson3641]

​@@TrayAndIanBwayShowactually that move mj did while walking down the stairs in the you rock my world video he got that from fred astaire and did you know Michael Jackson was inspired by John Travolta in the movie Grease mj does alot his moves in the way you make me feel video and mj also got the lean he does in smooth criminal from the tin man in the wizard of oz movie one thing about mj is that he loved musical movies

[@maggiv5401]

Little prince appeared a few years before Michael started dancing quite like he did not long before moonwalk.

[@charlievalintyne7160]

Finally someone said it!

[@edwardserfontein4126]

Very interesting video. I want to say it's underrated. Keep keeping on.

[@kendrawaddams3174]

As a huge fan of Bob Fosse and Micheal Jackson's dancing, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Thanks so much for posting . . but now I'm in 2 minds about ever watching Pajame Game. 🤷‍♂️😅

[@sylviasirin5714]

OMG! Thank you for this! LOVE Bob Fosse for decades.

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

I recently learned about him around 2 years ago now and I've been obsessed with him ever since. I truly believe that his work needs to be studied if you're getting into dance, musical theatre and directing. - Tray

[@omarhechtenkopf7992]

Thanks for this video. Bob Fosse! The best!

[@christinacoons]

Fantastic take on MJ and Fosse, thank you for sharing. We saw MJ tribute musical last night, which had a segment on his influences, including Fosse.

[@raquelrodrigues505]

It's really cool to know who inspired MJ. Greetings from Brasil.

[@joeyscerbo7776]

Amazing video!

[@maggiv5401]

All that dancing from Pippin is not actually Bob Fosse dancing. But it was definitely his style. I saw the little Prince dance several years ago and I think at the time I hadn’t even heard anybody else talk about it and Michael Jackson but right away I said, oh my gosh, that’s where Michael Jackson got those moves.

[@ambernofretet7830]

I was just watching the little prince with my kids...never realized how Michael had a similar dance like Fose. He was a great dancer 🎉 Greetings from Germany 👋🏾

[@jolorraine27]

The dance scene shown @ 11:41 , the Rich Man's Frug in Sweet Charity, was also portrayed in the TV Show 'STAR'. The song is "Ain't Thinking About You"

[@emilgilels]

Wonderful video. Thanks for sharing your passion!

[@LPOband]

Your voice is heard my man. I’m subscribing.

[@laurarodriguez9827]

Learning and enjoying the voice. Thanks for creating the video and sharing it🎉

[@willynilly2545]

Wow I learned so much from this, thanks!

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

Thanks for watching :). I'm glad that I was able to share some information on Bob Fosse. That man was a genius. -Tray

[@tubeyrich]

I LOVE this! Thank you so much for making this video, and all the details you've included. I'd seen the comparison between Fosse's moves and MJ's before, but also read a rather bitter discussion (sharply divided along racial lines) alongside it. It's great that you pinpoint the exact moment ("Piippin" show) when MJ absorbed Fosse's style and moves. 😍👌🏽👏🏽 I love Fosse's style, having been a student of jazz dance for a while. And who doesn't love MJ! I think MJ couldn't help but be influenced by Fosse, but he took those moves and made them his own, stamped them with his own unique flavour. All the videos you've featured are fabulous; I was so happy to see "Who's Got the Pain" because it always lifts my mood, and "The Rich Man's Frug", which is SUCH an innovatively satirical choreography! And "Snake in the Grass" is a delicious combination of clever lyrics and (s)lithe(ring) movement! 💓💓 They're BOTH amazing dancers to watch: Fosse for his elegance, innovation and wit, and MJ for his mad energy, speed and flair. 🤩🤩🤩🌟💖

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

I’m a longtime Michael Jackson fan, i can’t tell you how many times I dressed up as him for Halloween when I was younger. When I got into musical theatre I totally saw the similarities between the two and then I completely feel in love with Bob Fosse lol. I just think that Michael definitely took influence from Fosse and more people need to know that. Bob Fosse is truly one a kind and he needs to be studied in schools. -Tray

[@tubeyrich]

@@TrayAndIanBwayShow Tray, good on you for your efforts to immortalize Bob Fosse! 🌟

[@yommish]

Was never much into musicals but watching All That Jazz and seeing some original West Side Story clips piqued my interest. Anyways good job and interesting video! I might check out some others. Also I’m terrified of my recorded voice and doing anything like a KZbin narration, partially because I have a minor lisp and just naturally hate my own voice. You make me realize it’s nothing and no one will think twice. If Slavoj Zizek can give public speaking engagements, everyone’s voice is just perfect as it is!

[@NAVYA11]

love your presentation - as a long time MJ fan, I always think of Fosse ! appreciate you !

[@joeymanalang2198]

Good ssssstuff bro and I love how you prolonged all your Sssssss as tribute to Bob Fosse's Sssssssnake in the Grass song in The Little Prince 😂

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

I wish that was why lol. I actually just have a speech impediment that causes me to prolong S sounds at times. - Tray

[@joeymanalang2198]

Oh sorry I thought it was deliberate

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

@@joeymanalang2198 No need to apologize. I read your comment and thought it was funny. I totally understand how you got to that conclusion though. - Tray

[@joeymanalang2198]

The Little Prince was one of my fave books/movies as a kid and the Bob Fosse Snake in the Grass was my fave scene next to the Gene Wilder (Fox) scenes kzbin.info/www/bejne/ronSn35ueqeko80

[@catmoncure1]

Love Fosse so much. Also directly inspired Paula Abdul video for Cold Hearted.

[@PrinceDepeche]

Wow...mind blowing....did he ever pay him respect...And acknowledge his influence ?

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

@@PrinceDepeche I didn’t put this in the video because I forgot too. But, he did ask Bob Fosse to direct and choreograph Thriller, but Bob declined because he was busy filming a movie or taking a break, I forgot the exact reason why. Michael did acknowledge all of his influences throughout his lifetime though.

[@MillennialSnacker]

I absolutely love this video and appreciate your contribution to this subject. However I would like to add to this. It’s never been a secret that Michael Jackson was inspired by Bob Fosse. MJ said in an interview at 11 years old on one of his documentaries he was inspired by Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., Jean Kelly, Bob Fosse… and the man who inspired Fosse himself, Fred Astaire. The stage presence of James Brown is what he admired the most, that’s why he mentions him more. And to keep from making this TOO TOO long… because I can go all day with this…MJ himself said this in the 80’s: “I studied the greats so I can become the greatest.” Perfect example of an embodiment of greatness. Even Bob Fosse commented on how MJ took his moves to the next level but I digress. 😅😂 too much typing

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

Please say more lol! I'm a HUGE MJ fan as well, and I have been since I was a kid. I can't tell you how many times I dressed up as MJ for Halloween. The reason why I made this video in particular is because as I got more into musical theatre, I learned more about dance and more importantly.. Bob Fosse. Once I realized that MJ was inspired by Fosse, It blew my mind and I just thought that other people need to know lol. MJ himself is hands down one of the best performers we'll ever see in our life time and it's just soo cool to me that one of his inspirations was Bob Fosse. - Tray

[@MillennialSnacker]

lol! Omg! Lol smh… I knew that would open the door. Lol 😂😆😄 Michael Jackson admired Fred Astaire for the majority of his career, and mentions him a lot among his inspirations. Bob Fosse as we know was a protégé of Fred, so the connection makes total sense. Micheal also mentions Bob a couple of times during the thriller era citing his moves to be some the most creative moves he had ever seen; and was a fan ever since seeing him. Of course that was based on “The Little Prince” back in 1974. MJ capsuled the best of the best and morphed it into his own embodiment. Which is quite honestly genius. But yes, Bob was aware of his influence on MJ and wasn’t annoyed or offended by it at all. Fosse mentions in Sam Wesson’s biography of him (must read) that: "Jackson is one of the greatest dancers I have ever seen…..because he's so fast....and because when he extends his arm or his leg or whatever it goes completely out and then right back. Not half out, not one quarter, not nine-tenths. it goes completely out and back----fast. But it's complete. Every action is complete". And again I digress because I can literally talk this all day. 😂 Keep up the great work and much Love and Happy Holidays ♥️

[@diogononato6356]

Just a little correction" You Rock My World is by 2001... not 2009.. amazing video.. Bob Fosse was an amazing choreo and performer, my earlier choreographer Keith Hawley aleays spoke about him to me...

[@anthonycoleman9593]

"You Rock My World" did not come out in 2009 (the year Michael died). I'm pretty sure it was 2001. Off of the " Invincible " album.

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

Yeah I messed up with that one lol. -Tray

[@luciusgraham1646]

You're totally dead on! But the hunched shouldered walk is more an ode to Fred Astaire!! Frome the movie "Band Wagon"!!!

[@sylviasirin5714]

And I love Ben Vereen.

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

Who doesn't love the one and only Ben Vereen?! The man is an icon! I found out earlier this year that he played Will Smith's dad in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air in that one episode. I had to rewatch it and it was sooo amazing. - Tray

[@jittaun248]

I believe MJ called.out Bob Fosse and Fred Astaire at times.

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

He did. MJ said multiple times that he was inspired by some of the greats and Bob Fosse and Fred Astaire was just two of them. I think James Brown was probably one of his biggest influences because he taught him how to have stage presence. - Tray

[@elgoofer]

You're missing All that Jazz (1979), wich i think is one of the greatest dancers movie i've ever seen

[@calebhernandez187]

It’s crazy cause he also did choreography for his wife’s music video and Beyoncé stole it for her single ladies music video 🤣

[@tihomir7]

Bob Fosse was not inspiration. MJ copy the exact moves and very similar outfit. The same (too short) trousers, sox and shoes watching The Little Prince. MJ mentioned some famous dancers as an inspiration but I did not see Bob Fosse amongst them. How come he forgot Bob? Maybe because he was too close to his choreographies :)). Bob Fosse was great dancer, choreographer and two times Oscar awarded director for Cabaret and All that Jazz.

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

I can't remember the exact interview, but MJ did give Bob Fosse his praises. It may not have been as much as we all wanted, but he did acknowledge that he was one of his sources of inspiration. MJ was definitely influenced by Bob Fosse, but that still doesn't take away the talent that MJ had. Bob Fosse himself recognized that MJ was inspired by his choreography and even went as far to say that he made it better. I'm a HUGE Bob Fosse fan, but I can still appreciate and respect both artist in there own right. Lastly, if you're a huge Bob Fosse fan, you should totally check out How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. The chorography is credited to Hugh Lambert, but Bob Fosse actually did the chorography. However, Bob didn't want to ruin Lambert's career so he let him take the credit. - Tray

[@tihomir7]

@@TrayAndIanBwayShow and that is in general very sad. Not only in this case. Inspiration is one thing and plagiarism is something different especialy if you become significant with that. I am not fan of Bob Fosse. I just love talented people. Of course MJ was talented but his talent was more based on compilation of other's creativity more than himself. That was case with Salieri, Mozart's teacher who was stealing Mozarts talent and creativity, or Edison who stole inventions from Tesla, who said-I am not sad because someone is stealing from me. I'm sad because people are not creative (not a citation but something like that). So I am sad not because MJ became so popular but because there is a few people on earth who know that probably he won't be so popular if he did not use sombodie else's invetions and talent. And when you show that to people, like earlier moonwalk people say-it doesn't matter who was first. MJ made it better....so, Ferrari invented a car with gas engine because it was better than much earlier first combusted engine made "Benz"??? I am sad about that. But you mentioned how big was Bob when he did not reacted when someone took his glory just not to ruin that man's carrier...

[@tihomir7]

@@coolnamebro maybe I was harsh, but we are talking about work of art. It's like took a part of the song, important part of the song, add some of your own parts, and forgot to credit a composer who's part of song you used. And by the way, you can not take it without a permission. If MJ was honest, he would say loud, thank you Mr Fosse for your moves and my success. And btw one Prince was always saying who are his idols and from whom did he learned. Prince who was complete musician. Composer, lyricist, dancer, multiinstrumentalist, producer, and who have never sing live on playback...

[@Papacarlo-p5o]

MJ acknowledged Fred Astaire, James Brown and some others, BUT he never acknowledged Bob Fosse. My guess is because it was almost copy/paste

[@TexasHeatAudit]

Inspired is a stretch

[@toobier]

This is my first time watching a video from this channel. I hope that it's not normal to take so long to get to the point. I watched because I was very interested, but it was quite painful. This short video seemed like forever.

[@Raider577]

Inspired ?some of it is a direct copy of Bob Fosse. Only now I'm finding out so much of Michael Jackson is fake. He got the moonwalk from other dancers going back to the Fifties, this from Bob Fosse. His speaking voice is fake. He actually has a deep voice like a man in his forties but puts on a high pitched soft voice in public.

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

@@Raider577 Every artist was inspired by someone and made it their own, that’s exactly what Michael Jackson did. His speaking voice is something that all singers do to preserve their singing voice and to rest their vocal cords. Nothing Michael Jackson did isn’t something that hasn’t been done before throughout history. I’m a huge fan of both, and I love the similarities between the two.

[@Raider577]

@@TrayAndIanBwayShow No they don't. Name me a singer or actor who puts on a completely different voice in public. Different accent maybe but a childlike voice in public when they are in their Thirties or Forties never. Not only that when you see interviews of him at around 16 or 17 his voice is deeper than it is when he became super successful. If it was to preserve his vocal chords why would he revert back to his original deep voice in normal life when cameras are not around.

[@TrayAndIanBwayShow]

@@Raider577 Ariana Grande does this…. Now if you want further research on this topic, I highly suggest going to Google. Also, what does him using his normal voice have to do with his talent? If that’s the only thing you can think of to discredit him, that’s says a lot more about him as an artist. You can dislike Michael Jackson and that’s totally fine, it’s your opinion. Objectively speaking, he is one of the most talented artists we will ever witness in our lifetime.

[@jessiem276]

​@@TrayAndIanBwayShowIn all honesty, most singers don't speak higher pitched to "save" their voices. Truth is truth. Yeah, I was a big MJ fan, too.

[@JacquelineSoulchick]

Very glad to see someone show the Snake in the grass to MJ connection. Most people out there think MJ made up all his own "signature" moves. In my jazz dance history powerpoint, I teach that the "Rock My World" hunched shoulders walk you referenced here actually came from Fred Astaire/MIchael Kidd in The Band Wagon, (choreography by Michael Kidd). As I'm sure you know, MJ was equally influenced by Fred Astaire and Astaire does that exact walk in a bar scene (The Girl Hunt Ballet) where he dances with Cyd Charisse. It looks like MJ made his own version of that scene for his music video. My second comment is about the lengthy clip of "Remember the Time" that you showed while talking about Fosse's influence on MJ's movement style. That video was choreographed by the legendary Fatima Robinson, so the movement style there would have been hers combined with the video's theme of "Egyptian" moves. Overall, love the attention you are giving to Fosse and educating the folks out here on these connections. Not sure if the lay people fans of MJ and Janet know just how much they both LOVED old Hollywood musicals and used these influences in their work. MJ using Broadway jazz choreographer MIchael Peters for Beat It and Thriller. Janet using Michael Kidd to help her make her video "Alright" look like Guys and Dolls. Anyway, carry on!