As an influence of gangster...

Michael Jackson should certainly be the most famous man on the planet, but it must also be one of the most recognizable figure ... Characterize Michael Jackson is also clear that the banana Elvis Presley or the Beatles cut! A hat (which is usually a Black Fedora), the single glove (see previous story) sunglasses (usually a model 'Aviator' brand Rayban), the white socks / Rhinestones and jackets inspirations clearly military (indeed, especially the Royal Guard of England) but also ... Costumes gangster, what were his influences? As previously stated, the costumes / designer suits Michael were generally neither more nor less than replica costumes from the 30s gangster.

This inspiration comes first and foremost by Fred Astaire (photo number: 1), which was particularly fond. The costume of Smooth Criminal is certainly the best known of Michael after that of Billie Jean (stage version (I speak here simply of costumes, no jackets, it is clear that the jackets Thriller and Beat It are much more known date)). What you should know is that this suit has almost never see the day (well almost ...)! Indeed, the music video Smooth Criminal would actually be in a Western atmosphere (or Cowboy), thus, Michael shot a few "blocks" at Neverland from 1987 (which at that time had not yet become what ' it is now (well. .. was), there was no house, no rides or anything!). But voila ... In June 1987, a tragedy occurs. The death of the legend, the icon, Fred Astaire.

This has undoubtedly affected Michael very certain. Michael subsequently changed his plans, Smooth Criminal will ultimately not a western, but in an atmosphere of 30's gangster! What few people realize is that Smooth Criminal is in fact a remake. In effect, then we no longer speak of influence, but simply a remake, a tribute to Fred Astaire, there's no doubt. Indeed, the light suit, hat, blue shirt, red woman in a bar of the 30s, alone against all the nice gangster triumph, if for you it summarizes Smooth Criminal Well aware that in fact it also summarizes' The Band Wagon ' Fred Astaire, who was neither more nor less than 35 years older than Smooth Criminal. (Ie in 1953) I'm sure I do not learn anything the fans so far, yet I do not deceive me when I say that too! Few people know that Fred Astaire was not the only inspiration Smooth Criminal, but also in Moonwalker.

Here, we no longer speak of an artist, but a true story, a gangster who really existed. Summing Smooth Criminal, the song and the clip, it is a "bad guy" (Smooth Criminal: Criminal Mild), until then I think we all agree. But did you know that this "bad guy" really existed? Indeed, it was a gangster for years 20 and 30. His name was Jack Diamond (photo number: 2), it was named / nicknamed "Gentleman Jack" (Smooth Criminal?:) (Or 'Gentleman Jack' in French)) and each time he survived the attacks, hand armed with his "enemies". It is simply, Smooth Criminal, Michael embodies. What is interesting is Jack Diamond was also named "Jack Legs Diamond", as it was, it seems, a very good dancer. But if the influence of Fred Astaire did not stop here on Michael, you can imagine, it is the same with Jack Diamond, aka Gentleman Jack. In fact, the second part of Moonwalker (either the "movie / fiction"), bears an uncanny resemblance to the history of Gentleman Jack. To sum up so fast Moonwalker, Michael, nice gangster (Smooth Criminal) is chased by villains, is almost shot, but every time ... Michael is doing.

Well actually, it was clear the life of Gentleman Jack! One point that is very interesting is that if the influence of Gentleman Jack has been very little forward, Michael clearly marks a dedication in his own way, or by a sentence. When Michael leaves the house and gets shot, the villain (who in the film is called 'Francky Lideo' (it's actually a wink Frank Dileo, who was a very important manager in Michael's life, years 80, but also for "This Is It") said a phrase that is neither more or less a sentence that will deliver its Dutch Shultz men about Gentleman Jack, a sentence that is other than "Is there one here who can shoot it without this kind comes out?" (Original sentence: 'There Is not nobody That CAN shoot this guy so he do not bounce back') It is therefore clear that for Smooth Criminal Moonwalker and thus, Jack Diamond and Fred Astaire were more than influences. * It should be noted that Michael dedicates his autobiography "Moonwalk" to Fred Astaire, "This book is dedicated to Fred Astaire."