It
was 1983 when Michael
Jackson first moonwalked across our television screens. No one had ever
danced
like that before, nor created such well-orchestrated songs with enough
hooks to
grab a giant, worldwide following. When R&B artist Usher dances and
sings,
we remember how dazzled we were two decades ago. His supernatural stage
presence has made him one of music's great performers, and Jackson's
influence was crucial:
"Michael's music is a hipper version of so many styles, from classical
to
jazz. But it's completely his own thing. He inspired me to work hard
and have
something I could call my
own (Esquire;
Oct2003, Vol. 140 Issue 4, p160, 10p, 1c, 1bw)."