Your probably asking, who is Bob Fosse and what does he have anything to do with Michael Jackson, well a lot! Check out this mashup video of both artists:
Confused? Shocked? Slightly disappointed by Michael Jackson? I was too. It is brought to my attention to bring to your attention that Michael Jackson copied Bob Fosse flat-out and went on to make millions off the back of an artist who was clearly ahead of his time. When I first saw this video I couldn’t believe it! Everyone around me gave Michael Jackson so much credit for his dance moves, saying he is the pioneer of the pop industry. I have never been convinced that Michael is as great as everyone thinks he is, which lead me to my mini investigation.
Growing up in the dance industry-choreography is a big part of what goes on stage and as a dancer it seems that you become more aware of who is choreographing. Right now because of television shows such as So You Think You Can Dance-choreographers are finally getting the credit and acknowledgement they finally deserve. My favourite choreographers are Brian Friedman, Wade Robson and not to mention Rob Marshall and Bob Fosse.
Here is a little bit about Bob Fosse:
Robert Louis “Bob” Fosse (June 23, 1927 – September 23, 1987) was an American musical theater choreographer and director, screenwriter and film director. He won an unprecedented eight Tony Awards for choreography, as well as one for direction. He was nominated for an Academy Award four times, winning for his direction of Cabaret. (wikipedia)
Go and watch some Fosse films and you will really get an idea of how ahead of his time he was, a true artist that not many people to this day know much about. It has been assumed that Michael Jackson created these dance moves all on his own, when dues to Bob Fosse should be given.
Another interesting point is the credit that www.youtube.com should be getting, for creating a platform from which archival footage is made possible to the public. If we are just discovering this old footage now you can wonder how Michael Jackson got his hands on Bob Fosse’ footage to learn and study this choreography from 1974. With the internet you can pause and playback as many times as you need to learn the steps. How did Michael actually learn the choreography for his solo career? Is it possible that the two had met at some point and Fosse was a choreographer for Michael? Perhaps if so had Michael paid him to keep his mouth shut or pay him secretively for his moves? I guess we will never know. Until then so much credit should not be given to the so-called “King-of Pop”. And I know it pains a lot of people to acknowledge this information made public a few years back, but it is the truth.
There is a Federal Copyright law of 1976 which went into effect in 1978 for Choreography. But there is only evidence of one case that went to the courts and it was on behalf of George Balanchine’s Nutcracker. Knowing this information, would Fosse have challenged Michael anyways? I doubt it.
In conclusion, no matter what you think about either artists, and you may like one better than the other, like both or like neither. All that matters is how each artist has touched your life and shaped your experiences and dreams. No one can copy or steal that away.
