Michael Jackson performs “Billie Jean” at Motown 25

Now, I had to mark Motown’s 50th birthday somehow. I could blether on for way too long about the effect the music has had on me, and the way its greatest moments still manage to create excitement in even the most jaded music fan.
However, their birthday also allows me to go back to their 25th anniversary. It was at the Motown 25 show in 1983 that Michael Jackson gave his iconic performance of “Billie Jean”. I don’t think it’s overstating it to call this piece of video one of the greatest pop music performances in history, even though - oh yes - HE’S MIMING.
Try and pretend you’ve never heard “Billie Jean” before. Try and pretend you’ve never seen the moonwalk before. This was how the viewing public came to this performance, which explains the screams…