Michael Jackson Book Club Review: “Moonwalk”

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson
Rating:  5/5

Moonwalk allows readers to hear Michael Jackson’s story in his own words, making his autobiography an invaluable source when his life and career were so often surrounded by rumors, speculation, and media frenzy. He covers everything from his early childhood days growing up in Gary, Indiana, to the genesis of the iconic Bad era that marked his launch as a full-fledged solo artist. Moonwalk gives his firsthand accounts of grand-scale events such as the Motown 25 television special and glimpses at simpler moments like when he first earned his driver’s license. Much of this book was transcribed, as Michael found recording his voice to be the most efficient way to meet his publication deadline over the course of 4 years working on the personal project with Jackie Onassis and Shaye Areheart, the editors at Doubleday, meeting him at different locations to complete the book. This decision arguably makes his voice even more Swarovski crystal clear when you are reading—for fans, it isn’t hard to imagine hearing him say the words printed on the pages in a more conversational style rather than by means of narration.

Michael was very young when his family lived in their two-bedroom house on 2300 Jackson Street, but there are several details he remembers from the days prior to being signed by Motown. He recalls observing his older brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as they learned to sing, dance, and play music in the living room. His unique ability to absorb sights and sounds and translate information into his own artistic mastery carried over into him eventually joining the group to sing and play the bongos. He gives insight into his performance of “Climb Every Mountain” from The Sound of Music at his school talent show, having songs on the radio under the Steeltown label, and the Jackson 5’s regular gigs at the local venue known as Mr. Lucky’s, performing six nights a week with the seventh typically being booked at an amateur competition on the South Side of Chicago. Those competitions led to him performing on the stage at the Apollo Theater and watching his heroes, Jackie Wilson and James Brown, the masters at work.

Although he was a five-year-old child during his beginning as an entertainer, Michael lived in a show business world that required him to quickly rise to adult expectations. Before traveling in the family van to go audition for Motown in Detroit, he was walking his younger brother Randy home from school. Instead of going to bed after finishing his homework and dinner, he was onstage late at night following stripper acts, performing five sets before repeating his unconventional schedule the next day. Taking a closer look at his roots and the circumstances in which he grew up shows how he cultivated his rhythmic genius and developed a wisdom beyond his years that made him a musical veteran by the time he reached his late teens and early twenties.

Another treat offered in the book is Michael’s recollection of his time as a member of not only the Jackson 5, but the Jacksons. In Moonwalk, he gives his opinions on touring with his brothers and participating in The Jacksons Variety Show, as well as thoughts on songs such as “Sugar Daddy,” “Blues Away,” “Style of Life,” and “Different Kind of Lady.” Little tidbits such as these are rarely found in interviews, where he wasn’t always asked about his creative process. As he began to grow musically and wanted to experiment with his own ideas, he even suggested to wear the same hat worn on the album cover of “Got to Be There” while performing the song live to involve the audience more in the show, but his request was denied. If only the executives at Motown had known how iconic his staples such as the fedora, single sparkly glove, and various jackets would become later on by clueing audiences in on what songs to anticipate next. 

In the pages of Moonwalk, Michael speaks candidly about his aspirations, isolation, and the gossip that comes with the territory of his fame. The pictures and drawings that are included inside make every reader feel like they have their own personalized signed copy. Michael credits Berry Gordy, Diana Ross, Fred Astaire, Elizabeth Taylor, Gene Kelly, his tutor Rose Fine, Quincy Jones, and more of his inspirations and collaborators for being instrumental in his evolution as an artist and a human being. He describes how he became a coincidental businessman in the industry, being like-minded with his father Joseph from a logistical standpoint and coming out on the other side of rather difficult meetings. 

If you have ever wanted to know more about his feelings toward filming The Wiz, his real first meeting with Paul McCartney, Captain EO, his love life, ways of manifestation and wish-making, views on parenting before becoming a father, the making of Off the Wall and Thriller, how he pulled pranks with the help of Muscles the snake, or a fact as random as who provided the scream at the beginning of “This Place Hotel,” then Moonwalk is a book worth picking up. 

Since it was published in 1988, it is amazing to think about everything that happened after and wonder what Michael would have written in a follow-up novel if there ever was one. However, his second book consisting of poems and reflections, titled Dancing the Dream, also invites readers to dive into his psyche. It is easy to rapidly immerse yourself in his autobiographical work and see it through to the end, with the end leaving you feeling charmed and wanting to explore his mind more. Moonwalk is a captivating gift that walks backward into a close look at Michael’s past while concurrently moving forward into a triumphant, groundbreaking future. As Michael says in the book, “It’s staggering what a person can do if they only try.”

Cassie Moss
Michael Jackson Book Club Member

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