Secret history of Michael Jackson’s moonwalk revealed by brother Marlon

Marlon Jackson has shared fascinating new insights into the origin of his late brother Michael’s most legendary dance move, the moonwalk.

Speaking on WFAN radio ahead of an upcoming performance with his brothers, the 68-year-old singer revealed that the iconic slide was not a solo invention, but rather a collaboration inspired by a young child and professional dancers.

Marlon recalled seeing Michael perfect the move during rehearsals for the 1983 Motown 25 special. He stunned listeners by revealing that an eight-year-old member of his wife’s family was actually the first to demonstrate the technique to the King of Pop.

"He told me that they call it the backwards slide. Then Jeffrey Daniel taught Michael how to do the backwards slide, and Michael renamed it the moonwalk," Marlon explained.

The history of the move extends back to the late 1970s, when Jeffrey Daniel performed it on Soul Train. Daniel, a member of the group Shalamar, began working with Michael in 1981 after the star saw him perform at Disneyland.

Daniel’s influence went beyond the moonwalk; he eventually co-choreographed global hits like "Beat It" and "Smooth Criminal".

While the world stood still during that first televised moonwalk, Marlon noted that the brothers were well aware of the surprise.

By blending street culture with professional coaching, Michael transformed a "backwards slide" into a global phenomenon.

Marlon’s recollections offer a warm, human glimpse into the creative process of a family that redefined modern entertainment.