Michael Jackson popularizes the moonwalk

The moonwalk or backslide is a dance technique that presents the illusion that the dancer is stepping forward while actually moving backward, giving the appearance of a person moving along a conveyor belt.

The dance gained worldwide popularity after Michael Jackson executed it during his performance of his song "Billie Jean" on the March 25, 1983, television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, and was considered his signature move. The moonwalk has since become one of the best known dance techniques in the world.

The step has two distinct types. One is called the turn walk. This is usually performed very quickly giving the impression that the dancer is walking quickly in a circle. The other circular moonwalk type is known as the 360 or Four-Corner Moonwalk and is often done much more slowly in a floating style. This involves sliding a heel back (usually the left heel), pivoting both heels to change direction, and then pivoting the non-sliding heel 45 degrees. Other moonwalk variants include the "sidewalk" or "side glide", in which the dancer appears to glide sideways, and the "spotwalk", in which the dancer appears to moonwalk in place.