I often see Twitter users commenting that Michael Jackson “stole” (or the equivalent of stealing) moves from Bob Fosse.
This goes to show those people don't know much about choreography. They also lack the ability to grasp the difference between theft, inspiration & innovation. 1
This goes to show those people don't know much about choreography. They also lack the ability to grasp the difference between theft, inspiration & innovation. 1
Michael Jackson was a dancer and choreographer who had the vision to distil and to coherently integrate dance moves from jazz dance, tap dance, street dance, even mime and he created his own, unique style, which still inspire dancers all over the world. 2
Those who really studied choreography know what MJ brought to the table. He was inducted in Dance Hall of Fame by them.
Whenever some Twitter commenter claims that MJ “stole” Bob Fosse’s moves, I never see Katherine Dunham, a true pioneer of jazz dance, mentioned.
Whenever some Twitter commenter claims that MJ “stole” Bob Fosse’s moves, I never see Katherine Dunham, a true pioneer of jazz dance, mentioned.
I never see Jack Cole, who was the father of modern jazz dance and one of Bob Fosse's greatest inspirations, mentioned. Unfortunately, as revolutionary as they were, I don’t see neither of them, along with other great choreographers who inspired Fosse, mentioned.
When it comes to Bob Fosse, I also don't see Gwen Verdon, an exquisite artists and a huge artistic force in Fosse's life, getting the recognition she deserves, at least for the choreographies Fosse created while she was his main star.
There are no new moves, only new ways to interpret them and to combine them, to be able to tell a story through dance. This is how all the greats created and still create.
Are we now supposed to think that Jack Cole “stole” the plie from classical ballet?
Are we now supposed to think that Jack Cole “stole” the plie from classical ballet?
Of course not, that would be as preposterous as the ignorant intervention about Michael Jackson and Bob Fosse.
Jack Cole, as revolutionary as he was, he was inspired by classical ballet and used its moves and its tools.
Jack Cole, as revolutionary as he was, he was inspired by classical ballet and used its moves and its tools.
For anyone who still believes that Michael Jackson “stole” the Moonwalk from whoever did it first, let’s be clear that even in his only approved biography MJ informs everyone how he learned the move & that he wasn’t the first to do it. Here is the excerpt from his book, Moonwalk:
Many thanks to @lois_laniee for the excerpt from Moonwalk. 🙏
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