James Brown
MJ credited James Brown as his greatest influence. The King of Pop developed his dance techniques by watching the Godfather of Soul. Elements of Brown’s camel walk were used in the moonwalk, which became MJ’s signature move.
(Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Diana Ross
Some say he looked like her, talked like her and sung similar to her – yes, MJ admired Ross. She introduced MJ and his brothers (Jackson 5) to the world. Reportedly, Ross is the secondary caregiver to MJ’s children.
(Photo by Barry King/WireImage)
Jackie Wilson
Wilson is among artists who paved the way for many other black artists – especially MJ when it comes to the art of stage performing. MJ paid tribute to Wilson during an acceptance speech at 26th Annual Grammys in 1984.
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Little Richard
Little Richard — the Architect of Rock N’ Roll — influenced MJ as a music artist and energetic entertainer.
(Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Paul McCartney
“Say, Say, Say” what you want, but McCartney has influenced hits, collaborated with MJ on a few occasions — also, notably with “The Girl is Mine”. MJ has even gone as far as buying his former friend’s music catalog with The Beatles.
(File Photo)
West Side Story dancers
“Beat It”, “Bad” and “The Way You Make Me Feel” are notable, legendary music videos. MJ used dance techniques to bring these hits visually to life – with elements of dance from the gang vs. gang musical, West Side Story.
(Photo courtesy of West Side Story and “The Way You Make Me Feel”)
Fred Astaire
Astaire also influenced Jackson in dance and in music videos – for example with “Smooth Criminal”. The music video took elements of acting and dance from Astaire’s musical film The Band Wagon.
(Photo courtesy of The Band Wagon and “Smooth Criminal”)
Sammy Davis, Jr.
MJ sang “You Were There” to Davis, Jr. (one of his favorite singers) at his 60th birthday. The two hugged at the end of the song. Davis, Jr. also performed a comedic version of MJ’s “Bad” in 1989.
(Photo courtesy of YouTube)
Charlie Chaplin
MJ proclaimed Chaplin’s “Smile” was his favorite song. Maybe, that’s why MJ dressed up like Chaplin in as his iconic “Tramp” character — as well as covered “Smile” on his 1995 HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1 album.
(Photos courtesy of The Kid and “Smile” single cover)
Stevie Wonder
Wonder (The Boy Genius) was a young artist at Motown; so was MJ. Both had number one pop hits before they were old enough to vote! The two did a duet, “Just Good Friends,” from the Bad album — the only non-released single.
(Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
Michael Jackson has influenced some of the most popular artists and entertainers out right now: Usher, Beyoncé and Chris Brown — the list goes on and is significantly long. But what about the entertainers who have inspired the King of Pop himself?
As the second anniversary of MJ’s death approaches, check out the list of performers who have both influenced and paved the way for MJ — shown in a variety of groundbreaking music videos to dancing techniques to voicing style.
