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Comment by cpr | Hacker News Reader

<Old fogey alert> I'm afraid I've never seen Jackson dance--are there some videos that demonstrate these tricks? </...alert>

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Perhaps a young fogey alert would be more appropriate. ;)

Here is the moonwalk, probably his most famous move (he wasn't the first to perform it, though): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnIDfDFqGWc

Here is the anti-gravity lean relevant to this patent: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HJbGSHtFYQ

Here is a montage of many of his dance moves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKBLxh3u0tM

wow, even now that I know it was the shoes that's still incredibly impressive. That would take a lot of strength to get down that low.

Indeed, even though I strongly dislike this type of music, I really, really have to admit that he is an amazing dancer and was trained really, really well.

> I strongly dislike this type of music

Out of curiosity, which type of music is that?

I associate relatively light pop with Jackson.

In fact, it is quite hard to describe without metaphors. Using metaphors, you can usually say that the music just feels as if someone smashes a heavy hammer against your soul and once the music stops, it pretty much feels like you fall down, as if you were leaning against a wall and someone removed this wall. Music which gives me this hammer -> face-feeling certainly includes, but is not limited to songs by Cryptopsy, Vomitory, Berzerker and to some extent Heaven shall burn and Suicide Silence (examples can be easily found on youtube). If you listen to several songs by these bands, I think my term 'light pop'will certainly become clearer :)

That's all well and good, but you said/implied you dislike MJ's music.

Now you're talking about this hammer --> face -type of music, which should be unrelated to the issue at hand - 'light pop'.

Were you, in fact, not talking about 'light pop' when you said "I strongly dislike this type of music"?

If so, it would seem that you were participating in some other conversation, which would be really weird.

Wow. So what he really was was a talented mime with some great dance moves.

Requiescat in pace, whatever his personal problems.

His album "Thriller" is the most sold album in the world, to this day. I don't think "mime" is a an apt description.

Since you mentioned it, here's Marcel Marceau on Michael Jackson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj8oIrdGNiw

That's quite remarkable. I didn't think there was anyone in the developed world over the age of 20 who hasn't seen the rise, moonwalk and fall of Micheal Jackson. His name is practically bigger than Coca-Cola.

Somewhere at the height of his career, I believe he performed at some benefit concert that was broadcast on PBS. Being the only station I was allowed to watch at the time, and living in a rural community of about 2000 with very little pop culture, it was essentially the only exposure I had to him during his height of popularity.

At the time I remember thinking, "Who is this guy? I guess his song is kinda catchy." I don't remember which one it was.

I am sure I was in the minority.

He also inspired a number of dancers. Here's a clip of DoKnock (of Battle Monkeys, he's a famous breaker, I guess most people would know him cause he won American Idol I think) who grew up dancing along to MJ stuff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYaIXi1cNc0

It looks like he's an impressive acrobatic, but that video doesn't really show him dancing.

Okay then, mainly dancing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2tZcGL55to&feature=relat...

The piece at 6:50 is especially awesome. The main reason I posted the original link was due to the MJ tribute half-way through.

I hasten to point out that he's a breaker that does acrobatics to the music. Acrobatics can be musical and the very best on the scene time their power and flips to work with the music and it is teh AWESOMES.

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