It has been nine years since the American’s death in Los Angeles, yet Jackson’s legacy lives on – influencing the stars of today such as Usher, Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake, not just in music, but also style.

But who influenced Jackson? Let’s take a look at some of his moves and fashion moments.

Inspirational ‘Godfather’ James Brown

Jackson credited the “Godfather of Soul” James Brown as his major influence.

Jackson grew up watching his idol on television and loved the singer’s moves, which he thought were effortless, and his style.

We can see where Jackson got some of his moves.

‘Thriller’ moments

Jackson’s sixth studio album, Thriller, was released in 1982, and remains the bestselling album of all time.

The title track Thriller was inspired by 1950s horror films and remains the best music video of all time.

Also on the album, was the iconic track Beat It, which was also made into a video. Then, five years later came the Bad video.

Both of these songs were inspired by the Oscar-winning 1961 film musical West Side Story – a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story involving street gangs in New York – such as the singing, dancing and gang confrontations featured in the videos.

The video of Bad even mimics the garage set featured in the film.

The iconic Moonwalk

American tap dancer Bill Bailey “moonwalked” as early 1943: this recording is from 1955 – but back then, it was called the backslide.

Then in 1982, Jeffrey Daniel, a member of the 1980s pop group Shalamar, who had already made his name as a dancer on the American music television show Soul Train in the 1970s, not only “moonwalked” on the British chart show, Top of the Pops, but look what he was wearing.

Jackson popularised the dance move – officially naming it the Moonwalk – and this signature military look with the glove – on Motown 25, a year later in 1983.

The smooth look

Daniel also joined Jackson to co-choreograph the Smooth Criminal video from the Bad album as a tribute, not only to the 1930s era, but also – with Jackson dressed in white suit and fedora – the Fred Astaire musical comedy The Band Wagon (1955).

Take a look at this comparison ...

This August, BOSS created a new edition of Jackson’s iconic white suit, worn on the cover of Thriller – but the German fashion brand is releasing only 100 pieces globally.

The royal look

Jackson loved the royal military look: maybe that’s why he was called the “King of Pop”.

Interestingly, he was often seen wearing an armband, which Jackson reportedly chose to wear on his right arm to remind people of children who were suffering around the world.

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