The Man With The Moves

Michael Jackson's Voice May Have Launched His Career, But His Dancing Made Him Legend

(CBS)  His voice may have launched his career, but it was his moves that made him legend.

"Michael was the most influential dancer of all time," said Sia Michel, a writer with the New York Times.

No other single artist has merged dance with music quite like Michael Jackson, reports CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller.

His cross-over appeal so complete, even Hollywood took note.

But it's on stage, and in music videos where Michael made history.

R&B singer Usher says he grew up studying Michael.

"You can't say you're an artist in this century and was not influence by Michael," Usher said.

For three decades the King of Pop influences today's biggest stars.

From Justin Timberlake, to Beyonce, to Rihanna to Kayne West.

In every performance, you can pick out a Jackson technique. As a kid, Jackson clearly mimicked James Brown, but he has known to have studied everything from street break dancing to Broadway musicals.

Former Alvin Ailey Desmond Richardson danced with Jackson in the "Bad" and Dangerous music videos. He said Jackson worked tirelessly on every dance step.

"Where he threw his hat, that to me was immense, because it was part of Bob Fosse," Richardson said.

"Was he a natual?" Michelle Miller asked.

"Absolutely, I believe that Michael was a natural. Also, I was mesmerized that he could remember movement like he did and he could articulate movement like he did without having formal training," Richardson said.

Who needed it? He had imitators, but two generations of performers agree, no one did it better than Michael.

More Michael Jackson coverage:

Quincy Jones: "I Miss My Little Brother"
Motown's Gordy On Discovering Jackson
Gary, Indiana Mourns Hometown Star
The Man With The Moves
King Of Pop Lived In Luxury, Died In Debt
Coroner: Cause Of Jackson Death Deffered
911 Caller: Jackson "Not Breathing"
KHOU: Texas MD With Jackson Amid Collapse
A Collection Of CBS Videos Of Michael Jackson
The Death Of Michael Jackson, Full Coverage

[mcintoshlou]

So far, it appears that Sanford is going to devote his career to apologizing. On Wednesday, he held a press conference and apologized to everyone from his father-in-law to American Christianity. On Thursday, he was closeted with his wife, which undoubtedly involved heavy-duty apology time. Friday, he called his staff together for more apologies, including one to the leader of the Commerce Department, to whom the governor conveyed his regrets for having undermined the dignity of a state trade mission by having sex on the Buenos Aires stop.

[ggimperatore]

I agree with "hennighg". There are far more important things going on in the world than the massive (almost to the exclusion of all else) coverage of a punk. Yep, he had talent, he had a great voice, but he was, not eccentric, nuts. Just because he was famous, and at one point rich, we're supposed to sugar coat the rest of his life? How much damage has he done to his own children

[erasmus111]

I remember Fred Astaire loved Michael Jackson. He gave Michael a call after he performed "Billy Jean" on stage for the first time. That was when he did the "Moon Walk".

[hennighg]

I don't like anyone dying and Michael Jackson was a unique performer, but I can't completely get into to all this adulation. If OJ was a murderer, Michael Jackson was a pedophile. I'm just saying that whatever hell he went through, and I'm sure there was plenty, it didn't justify what he did. If OJ and Michael were punks, it's not our fault, it's theirs. I'm sorry, but I have to weigh the gifts against the baggage and hold my grief to its true quantity.