Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Motown 25 | REACTION

[@lexilamar5545]

this was actually the first time he performed billie jean EVER and the first time he did the moonwalk!!!

[@pokeywedd]

I always loved MJ and I remember watching this and how everyone was AMAZED!!!

[@DanielleGillmoreJohnson]

Exactly!

[@MikeTheGreatCC12]

Dang really!? I didn't know that!

[@jennhurl]

Actually, that's not true. He performed it first to a live audience at a small theater called the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California. I was actually there. It was a beautiful event. I was about 12 & I was blown away. I saw him perform it again on the "Jackson Victory Tour" in NYC. Both times were flawless - Just like this video. ✌🎵❤

[@dancingwheels8494]

Why this was legendary: This performance was so special because it was right after his performance with his brothers. No one not even his brothers knew what he was going to do with the moonwalk. He was only expected to do the Medley of Motown hits with his brothers. At that time he had only still been Michael Jackson who had great success with his off the wall album. In fact, the only reason he even agreed to perform was because Barry Gordy asked him personally to perform and promised him that he would meet Michael's condition to let him perform Billie Jean, a non-Motown song. After that night, no one would ever see Michael the same again. This one single performance catapulted him into superstar status. The moonwalk had already existed on the streets (under a different name the backslide), but nobody had ever seen it before in the mainstream. But his constant practicing ended up enhancing it, making it more fluid. By the way, Michael directed all the camera angles so that the audience would see exactly what he wanted them to see. Everybody has a story of where they were when they first saw Michael do the moonwalk on Motown 25. FYI, when MJ finished, he was soooo upset because he didn't stay frozen on his toes. the only thing that made him feel better was a kid who praised him afterward. The next day, is dance idol Fred Astaire called him and said that he was one helluva dancer. Even though Michael didn't win the Emmy for his performance, the compliment from Astaire was more than enough. Please react to the rest of the Jackson's Motown Medley performance that preceded this performance!

[@SRG4782]

Yep I remember where I was. I was sitting on the floor with my eyeballs almost pressed on the tv because sitting on the sofa wasn't close enough.

[@buster3041]

I remember I wasn't born yet.

[@lanakane7325]

I was screaming my head off in my family room. My parents were like "Is that little Mikey Jackson? Wow!" This was the first the world heard from the Thriller album. There is no way to make kids today understand how big this album was. Everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY had that album - young and old, black and white, rich and poor, all nations. Things aren't as fractured as they are today and being a worldwide superstar was something to behold.

[@ah_libra]

Interesting!

[@mikejackson610]

This is the day...... Michael made History.😎 I'm not talking about "History" album.😂

[@sosososososososososososososos7]

😂

[@mikejackson610]

@@sosososososososososososososos7 I said that because that happened to me before😂

[@debroop889]

😂😂

[@inashamone8752]

🤣🤣🤣

[@DuranSarah]

😂😂😂

[@holliewatson9346]

Actually after this performance Michael went off stage and cried because he made a mistake which was unnoticeable to the audience however Michael being the perfectionist he was angry at himself. But the next day fred Astaire called him on the phone next day and said he’s “a hell of a mover” and one of the greatest dancers he’s seen

[@shays.3104]

Was just about to type this! Thanks

[@SRG4782]

I'm trying to figure out where the mistake was, cause.......🤷

[@TheLilly]

@@SRG4782 Riiight!

[@holliewatson9346]

Sabrita Gordon hahah it’s unnoticeable to all but him. It’s when he did the moonwalk into the spin and toe stand. He said that he was meant to do the 5 spins, land on his toes and stay there but the pointy shoes didn’t allow him to stay there :( Such a minor thing but yeah Michael was a perfectionist

[@SRG4782]

@@holliewatson9346 ohhh, kinda like when Beyonce falls and we just thought it was part of the killer dance routine. 😂

[@griselda3618]

the night he became a legend 👏🏻❤️ (even tho he’s always has been since birth ✨)

[@kaushiksunapu5657]

This song is do inexplicably fire, im sorry, the beat, the background vocals, those perfect synchronisation of imstruments, and of course the more than fitting perfeormance for this song! It all gets me jumping in my seat every time i hear it, absolute gold❤❤❤

[@Lindsay1581]

I think this was the first time the world saw him do the Moonwalk.

[@chrstnanomee7494]

It was, all the kids were talking the next day in school, did u watch Michael Jackson last night, he did this move

[@reneelove4839]

Absolutely

[@newsing33]

Yes it was!

[@bigboygramps2468]

No. He did in on a tour with the Jackson’s I don’t remember exactly what tour it was but I do remember him doing it before this show

[@selenadiaz2665]

Imagine being 10 yrs old and watching this live and seeing him do the moonwalk first time ever....MIND BLOWN

[@stephinthesix3355]

I know it’s tempting to stare off into the distance when you’re gettin a groove on, but you really should keep your eyes on the video the entire time when it’s MJ ;) just sayin!!!!

[@stephinthesix3355]

Jack Reacts missing a moment of MJ is like missing a lesser artist entire career!! 😂

[@T1000-s4j]

@@stephinthesix3355 Hahaha

[@brandonshepherd7477]

THIS

[@lmmjm10377]

Steph InTheSix so true

[@u.a1952]

@Steph InTheSix 😂💯

[@yourgirld3506]

I remember watching this on tv and jumping up and down too. I was in awe and then when he busted out the moonwalk...it was the talk FOREVER!!! lol

[@craigblakes5499]

I was three years old when i saw this. I remember the next day, everybody was talking about this performance. Had issues going around in the world back then too, but Mike took those away for a night. The greatest to ever do it

[@goldencherry9033]

Let’s just let the fact that he was 24 when he did this sink in ... TWENTY.FOUR!!!!!!!!!

[@u.a1952]

There will never be another.

[@mjsgurl5282]

Oh yeah you are right

[@tiffanyeyoung1800]

Legendary performance

[@marlonwebber4952]

I remember seeing this performance on tv that night when I was like 9 or 10 years old! It catapulted him into superstardom instantly!

[@Copasyetic]

I remember when this actually happened. I'm so glad I was old enough to remember this. My whole family was in front of the TV tuned in. U could tell by the audience reaction how anticipated this was.

[@zanohoriamazo1]

This was 1st time he introduced Moonwalk in public, which he learned from a singer choreographer from the group Shalamar, named Jeffery Daniel, who called it the Backslide. Michael asked if he could use it & call it moonwalk & Jeffrey consented. Years later he choreographed Smooth Criminal for Michael.

[@Selflovematters4life]

I was 10 years old. Glued to the tv. It was friggin magical!

[@Tiffonique]

I remember this day like yesterday. This was 40 years ago! I was 14 years old, so excited to go to this show. My father was one of "The Miracles," as in Smokey Robinson. He performed as well. This was one of the Best experiences ever! So many celebrities and Artists' were there. Adam Ant, 80's British Pop Musician made an appearance on stage with Diana Ross. I will never forget how Iconic and Epic it was to see so many Legends perform on stage. Thanks for posting xoxo

[@sroebuck117]

This was the very time in history that he ever moonwalked. Love love love this.

[@sabrinaberryh3848]

Omg. I’m so old. I remember family watching this on our floor 25 inch TV. We tapes it on our newly VCR. So fun to watch.

[@purpleskiesforever]

I was 14 when I watched this live and my jaw dropped. My little brother who was 13 kept saying "did you see that?! Did you see that?!" It was a really big deal the moment it happened. A few years later, my brother was wearing parachute pants and got his hair permed. Lol. I was doing the valley girl big hair do, purple leg warmers and studded belts hanging off a short skirt, so I have no room to laugh at him. 🤣 The 80's were crazy, but a blast.

[@arlington4508]

This is iconic. This is when the phenomenon that MJ was born.

[@melissag.3325]

Omgosh, I remember watching this the night it aired on TV! Love it!!!!

[@renovandermade2051]

The crowd was going crazy allright!! And this was not just a regular crowd. This was during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Motown Records. So the crowd was filled with Motown greats like Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. And Michael was a Motown great himself offcourse, but this performance made him a legend!! They all knew there was a new king! It was also the first time he performed the moonwalk. Iconic indeed!!

[@jewel77jewel14]

Michael "Legendary" Jackson. Period

[@fraz208]

Michael Jackson, the greatest entertainer and humanitarian and artist ever

[@marcuslloyd8218]

He was surreal. This was my first memory at 2. What I most remember was the ENERGY everywhere. Everyone and I mean everyone the world over was flabbergasted by the videos, thriller, the moonwalk. Watched with whole family that night. My god I think the whole planet was crazy about him.

[@davionna9594]

I dunno why I always almost wanna cry at the end of the performance when he raises his hand and bows as everyone claps😣 he's gone but not forgotten😞 his bday is coming on the 29th too😞😣

[@OnAPlain88]

I can't believe it's been 11 years at this point. I still remember where I was when I heard that news. It was mental.

[@davionna9594]

@@OnAPlain88 ik it was😔

[@newsing33]

I remember watching this when it came on TV,, and it was the first time we saw the moonwalk, and we were like what was that he did?! From then on everyone was trying to moonwalk.

[@Zanaaa50]

Was sent to bed early the night this performance aired so the grown folks could watch in peace BUT...grew up watching the VHS recording of this legendary moment in musical, in Black history HUNDREDS of times! It NEVER has gotten old, stale or less exciting to witness! Love to MJ! #MJ4EVER

[@ComicPhreak]

You should watch his performance with his brothers too from the special.

[@tyrannicaltypomichaeltester]

Michael Is The KING period. The greatest

[@adachilove4054]

He made HIStory..... off of his Victory tour... he made his mark as the King Of Pop! The best to ever do it!

[@chrstnanomee7494]

The night the world changed

[@leatitiamalone4841]

chrɪstɪna nomee 7 Facts!!!!

[@cagnazzo82]

My mom watched it live on TV and she became a Michael Jackson fan for life.

[@goldencherry9033]

March 24th 1983: Just going about your business. March 25th 1983: ‘Hold my fedora!’ March 26th 1983: WORLD.CHANGED!

[@mjsgurl5282]

The 8th wonder👌👌😍

[@kevaunmitchell1316]

This is so iconic and was the first time he performed it on live TV

[@callmeagentm7340]

He wanted to do that toe stand for 3 seconds, but he couldn't that time. He was so hard on himself, that he was sad after that. But a little kid told him backstage that it was the best performance and asked him how did he do that, and that made his day! He said "kids never lie" That was his FIRST EVER Billie Jean and MOONWALK LIVE(or recorded anywhere). No one knew he was gonna pull that off there. Even his family.

[@jojojojojo9806]

Sorry guys I know this is legendary, but my favorite Billie Jean performance is from Wembley 88 and Bucharest 1992 because he sang live

[@DuranSarah]

Yes, Bucharest and Munich are incredible. Of course Wembley 88 too but I love dangerous tour

[@glamourisbest]

Bucharest is a masterpiece from start to finish

[@domina7963]

C.D. Harris PERIODDDDD

[@alexerasmus3660]

Michael is the G.O.A.T, and always will be. No one will ever come close, ever..

[@MissJasmine92]

He looks soooo good

[@darnell49]

The first time MJ unveiled his moonwalk. ICONIC🌟. It still gives me chills

[@choloo9251]

Fact: He came up with those dance moves one night before this performance. He closed his eyes, turned the music on, and started dancing in his kitchen. Michael wrote about this story in his autobiography, Moonwalk.

[@gigiv6426]

i remember watching this on T.V . I was 12 years old and when he did the moonwalk I just screamed and my parents looked at me like I had 12 heads, but I didn't care, it was Michael and he stole my heart.

[@marvinreeves4034]

Michael Jackson said he didnt stand on his toes long enough. You know after he did the moonwalk. Perfectunous

[@OnAPlain88]

Word up. To his credit he absolutely perfected it in all of his subsequent performances thereafter

[@bublifuk]

The crowd is not even his "fans". The audience are other Motown superstars. Fun fact: The jacket he´s wearing is his mother´s jacket he found in her closet the night before.

[@mssha1980]

Corey Ortiz it was an industry event

[@derrick3913]

Brother this not just a crowd but fellow musicians in awe !

[@jeanetteweis1365]

To us this was beyond perfect. To Michael , he was dissapointed cause he( in his mind) could'nt stand on his toes as long as he wanted. So if u watch closly , further ahead during the performance . He tries to correct his mistake by doing it again, standing on his toes again holding the microphone, for as long as he wanted the first time.. Epic performance !first time doing the moonwalk infront of us , the viewers

[@quincytuggle2498]

This was the performance that took him into the stratosphere. Thriller moved back to number #1 after this performance. Fred Astaire called Michael to tell him that was the best dancing he had ever seen after this.

[@minamotivates]

This is regarded as one of the greatest moments in television history and the 1st televised performance of the moonwalk! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️📺📺📺📺📺📺📺😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@jewelmrr74]

I have watched this video on tv (when it was shown in 83 when I was aged 9) and online 100s of times and I still feel my chest filling up with emotion and awe 😍❤️🎶

[@tre7080]

u NEED to react to the whole live performance with jackson 5!!!! U can’t just watch his solo!!! u gotta watch the whole package

[@inashamone8752]

Yes please react to the whole thing!!!!

[@keemg10]

Yes! I remember he broke this out right after that amazing performance as his solo debut. The only modern parallel I can think of is Beyonce putting out Crazy In Love.

[@amexemoor443]

I remember watching this as a 11 year old with my mom... it was no way I was going to bed before I watched this EPIC performance!!!! #memories

[@leatitiamalone4841]

Yass, we have been waiting forever!!!!!!... it’s his birthday on Saturday, RIP 👑👑👑👑❤️

[@martina6638]

I know it's a little too soon, but please do something special on Michael's birthday, August 29th 🙏 🙏🙏🙏

[@Dana-ff2bn]

Yes please

[@cynthiasuggs8204]

This is one of my favorite live MJ performances of ALL time Motown 25 this is what really set the stage for his solo career .... I LOVE ❤️ Michael Jackson he was my first crush 😻 LOL RIP Michael I love you 😘

[@bckpckmepleez5339]

Seeing this for the first time in several years kinda made me emotional

[@sjgu2290]

This was the night he became THE Michael Jackson....Greatest entertainer ever! ICONIC🔥

[@elishaj.o1134]

The croud was actually packed full with the most famous superstars of the time....and they were all freaking out with his performance...no one had ever seen nothing like this

[@FAMCHAMP]

This was an iconic moment in history that night That performance was when he debuted his iteration of The Moonwalk which ofcourse became his signature move

[@vibey1443]

Excellent reaction Jack! MJ never disappoints! 🙌🏾🔥

[@ashleycole5012]

Motown at this point had majority bands. Michael being able to captivate everyone with his everyday solo at that time was just outrageous. We can always admit when someone has mastered their craft.

[@viviha34]

This took me back to middle school. We lost our minds when MJ moonwalked. The moonwalk was a hood dance only done by the break dancers and poplockers. So to see MJ represent the current street culture it was kind blowing.

[@marysmith9837]

He was so good looking back then

[@naetiontv]

This was the first time he ever hit the moonwalk. That’s why the audience screamed 😂😂😂🥴 they probably was like wth

[@jennaloggins]

this is the first time he moonwalked!!

[@alejozam]

5:26 I came to see him just to see this reaction. I love your reactions from Michael, Jack ❤️💪🏼⭐️

[@marielacarinamanjon381]

Yes!!! Love MJ ❤️ this was superb!! I couldn’t help but sing and dance to it 👍🏻😆

[@deannaa.k.a.missleo1994]

I remember watching this on my Michael Jackson vhs tape those Michael songs are classics and mike is definitely the king of pop❤️ That moonwalk was 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@adachilove4054]

This is our best friend! The first performance that transferred him to the King Of Pop! King of entertainment!

[@Arimas-bx2rt]

This was actually the introduction of MJ's Moonwalk.

[@anthonybattle3965]

Jack that moonwalk was introduced to the world, that was his first time doing that on stage, even Quincy Jones didn't know he was going to do that

[@darrylb9872]

This performance was nothing less than iconic!🕺🏽🎤🔥🔥🔥😎👍

[@jaimeecrire1807]

We were actually doing the moonwalk in our neighborhood before MJ, then he took it over and it became his dance.

[@urixahg]

Good reaction I love Michael jackson number 1 inspiration

[@2468whodoweeappreciate]

Im late oh no😭 August 29th is soon which is Michael Jackson’s 62nd birthday. Here are a few live performance suggestions you could consider: 1. Man in the Mirror + The Way You Make Me Feel at the Grammy Awards, 1988 (my personal favourite live) 2. Dangerous at MTV Music Awards, 1995 3. Billie Jean at Madison square 30th anniversary, 2001 4. Earth song in Brunei, 1996 And I’m sure everyone can agree that we are still waiting on that reaction to Black or White (full music video) and This Time Around feat. The Notorious B.I.G.

[@ayotalsamoth6867]

Most iconic performance! The birth of the moonwalk! First time ever this clip is history!

[@nekanicole4571]

Stripped down performances like this really shows how much stage presence he had and how much of a superstar he was. I don't know what IT is but he had IT.

[@connie8116]

It’s that indescribable charisma and magic that 1 in a million has, and he was loaded with it. I can’t think of one other person who has had it.

[@Ciclopea2]

Aww when he stunned everybody with his moonwalk for the first time i think, too many memories since i can remember with this amazing artist, this performance is as iconic as it can possibly get 💃🌟💖

[@flutterpolitely]

Btw, this was perfection but a fact - MJ did not like how his moonwalk came off. He thought he m shed up. Forever the perfectionist. GOAT.

[@carmenwise2256]

I remember this NIGHT. He definitely showed OUT!

[@macgmac7909]

This performance shook up the world '' Motown '' awards - the first time he hit the moonwalk, this performance was so captivating it had the world talking .

[@glamourisbest]

MTV 1995 Dangerous performance is 🔥🔥🔥

[@kareemrichardson5080]

Michael Jackson=KING!

[@enzatamburro4250]

Absolutely MJ is the GOAT !!!!!!! Thanks Jack you have made my day 🔥🔥👍👍

[@kymb.9867]

This was the performance that had me going to school the next day and telling everyone I was going to marry Michael 😭

[@aritraylor.6059]

there's so much history with just this one song man .. first time he did the moonwalk , first time ever performing it period , and THIS song is what broke the racial barrier for MTV . before the billie jean video no other black artist had ever had a music video air . they weren't even gonna air mike's at first but then they saw how big it was getting so they eventually put it on MTV . so thanks to him black artists are ALL OVER MTV .

[@cathyreed6723]

This was history in the making in music- 🎶. Its so great to see again!!! Liked your reaction - your rhythm is coming right along😁😁😁

[@VandernoldProductions]

You gotta remember, this was the first time he performed it live with all those moves. History tells us it was mind blowing, almost radical (positively) at the time, and still talked about over 4 decades later. Truly ICONIC

[@katkat7828]

Jack! Our darling sugar pie.. please for the love of GAWD.. give us a reaction to MJ's 1995 MTV performance on MJ's bday (in 2 days). Please have mercy on us! It has been too long. Thank you for this one

[@stephinthesix3355]

Agreed. The WHOLE thing!

[@jennaloggins]

YES!!!!

[@michellealexandrasilvaherr2971]

The firts moonwalk on stage ever!!! Legendary!!!!

[@RastaSaiyaman]

What many overlook here is that this performance was mimed. - The song sounds EXACTLY like the recording - The background vocals are all Michael's voice - There's nothing of Michael's usual vocal mannerisms such as "Ee-hee" and no interactions with the crowd. - Look at the band in the background, they were NOT playing. The reason was that "Billy Jean" was not a Motown song and the song couldn't be cleared for a live performance. So Michael had no choice but to mime the song but when it comes to PERFORMANCE he just tore the roof off that night.

[@Laat595]

This Performance👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@VandergriftMoefies]

Great reaction! Love to see people watch MJ's stuff for the first time, It's like I'm seeing it for the first time again as well. You should definitely do more live performances from MJ, even from the songs you've already done. The music is absolutely amazing, but his performances are something that must be seen and ad sooo much to the music. You could almost start a second channel just about reacting to MJ and I would watch it all. Btw, love how you almost always say at the beginning of an MJ reaction that it's in the top 3 most requested songs. I'm like, how big is this top 3?! haha 😂

[@vallieegirl]

This was the moment that sealed Michael's coronation into greatness. He took off and never came back to earth.

[@chloeeliza8509]

missing michael a little extra this week. r.i.p. 💙 he will forever be in my musical heart!!

[@MJPamuru20]

Fun Fact: Many of you may know that this was the debut of the Moonwalk however, according to ‘Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness’ by J. Randy Taraborelli, Michael told his family that he had a special move planned for that night, no matter how much his family asked him to show them, he insisted they wait for the show before seeing it (ever the showman) he told them he’d let them know when it was time....@ 05:18 in this video, you can see the wide shot of Michael, his hand is actually gesturing to his brothers who were watching on the wings to say “Ok, look, here it is”, and then boom, the moonwalk is born and becomes a pop culture phenomenon! I think it was ?uestlove who said “After that show, the next day in school all you could see were rubber sneaker marks on the ground from every kid trying to do this!” Loving your reaction videos brother! Great insight! Keep it up!

[@ShannonLSaranne]

Legendary performance ❤️❤️

[@keithjohnson4369]

Fact: Michael hated the performance because he spin around and could not hold the TIP TOE.. he landed too soon or flat and despised it. That's how much a perfectioist he is. He mentioned it in interviews. 6:03

[@andyeql]

I saw MJ live on his bad tour at Wembley Stadium with like 80,000 people. I'll never forget it. People were hysterical at the end, like weeping, it was like they were having a religious experience!

[@soundviewspill4792]

Da first time da moonwalk was shown to da world, mike da 🐐 no ifs,ands,or buts about it

[@inashamone8752]

August 29th Marks MJ's 62nd birthday!!