What is now known as the cobra which is rotating around on your heels while moving your upper arm/chest muscles to the
beat was the original moonwalk. It can be seen in the first scene of the movie Breakdance, also on Michael
Jackson Victory tour performances
The
one Michael Jackson performed at Motown 25 is known as the backslide and was taught to him by
Jeffrey Daniels and Geron Canidate who had performed it on Soul Train.
Jeffrey Daniels first (not first ever) execution of the Moonwalk in the UK (82' TotP, introduction of street dancing to the UK) can be seen here
(remove spaces from links)
www. twilightplayers. com/videos/jeffreydaniel.wmv
The earliest video for the backslide is that of Bill Bailey in 1955
www.putfile.com/media.php?n=tp-bailey (file origin from www.offjazz.com)
People think it might date back to the 20's.
Other variations are gliding, which is when you do it to the side, moving forwards and staying static (on the spot).
1. Did you see when Michael
Jackson performed the Moonwalk at Motown 25?
2. Damn, that Moonwalk was
sick!