motown 25

Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever was a TV special taped before a live studio audience on March 25th, 1983, and later broadcast on National TV May 16th, 1983. The special was to commemorate  Motown’s  25th anniversary and featured many memorable performances from the present and past artists of the Motown  label.

The highlight of the evening was Michael’s iconic performance of Billie Jean.

For the first time in almost a decade, Michael reunited with all his brothers to perform a medley of their greatest hits. It was after this medley that Michael was left alone on stage, to perform his own solo spot.

The performance of Billie Jean, which at the time was the # 1 single on Billboard, is widely considered to be Michael’s breakthrough performance as a solo artist.  It was also the debut of Michael performing the moonwalk for an audience.

I was lucky enough to see this performance when it was broadcast in 1983.  Now, it is more than 25 years later… and I still feel the same way I did that night.  I am still totally, absolutely, 100 percent in love with him that night. Still completely captivated and enamored with his style, presence and beautiful grace. There will never be another performance as innovative and groundbreaking as the one you see here. 

As it should be, I have separated the two performances of that night. First we have the introductions, and the subsequent performance of the Jackson 5 Medley. What follows is history in the making, and Michael doing what he did best… Enjoy!

j5 medley

michael’s solo performance