Many people know of Michael Jackson’s legendary moonwalk dance, but not many people know he debuted it during Motown’s historic TV special “Motown 25: Yesterday · Today · Forever”, which originally aired on May 16, 1983.
Fans new and old will get to relive the magic moment and groundbreaking night as Public Broadcasting Service has just announced plans to re-air the special in its entirety for the first time ever.
Produced by de Passe Jones Entertainment and Berry Gordy’s West Grand Media, “Motown 25” was filmed live at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California, and featured almost every Motown artist from the company’s inception, including Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, The Supremes, The Jackson 5, The Miracles, The Temptations, Four Tops and many others. The telecast, which would go on to win an Emmy® for Best Variety Program and a George Foster Peabody Award, would also be the basis for the Tony®-nominated Broadway play, Motown The Musical.
“With the popularity of ‘Motown: The Musical,’ which continues to open in major markets across the U.S., and the program’s recent success on DVD, there’s never been a better time to re-air the original broadcast,” says Suzanne de Passe, longtime Motown executive and producer of the program. “Whether you’re discovering that incredible night of music for the very first time, or are huge fan of Motown whose been eagerly awaiting the show’s return to TV, ‘Motown 25’ offers a lifetime of magic and memories for all everyone.”
“Motown 25” is set to air on PBS stations across the nation on Feb. 28 and will run throughout March as part of the PBS Pledge Drive.
