 Following performances by Marvin Gaye , Smokey Robinson , and Mary Wells , The Jacksons took to the stage for their first group performance together in eight years . The brothers sang a medley of their old hits . After they finished with " I 'll Be There " , they left Michael alone on stage . He addressed the audience and then went into his routine . He wore black pants , leather penny loafers , a black sequined jacket , and a single white rhinestone glove . To begin his performance , Jackson snapped a fedora to his head and struck a pose — his right hand on his hat and his left leg bent . During a musical interlude , the singer executed a move which many believe to have sealed his status as a pop icon . Jackson glided backwards to perform the moonwalk , before he spun on his heels and landed en pointe . It was the first time Jackson had performed the moonwalk in public ; he had practiced it in his kitchen prior to the show . 
