Reposting this on the occasion of the first anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death.

With so many brilliant singles, amazing performances, and outstanding videos, Michael Jackson’s legacy is nearly peerless. With his offstage shenanigans front-page news since 1982’s Thriller launched the already-popular performer into supernova-level stardom, the self-proclaimed King Of Pop certainly had his shortcomings, but he also possessed an unearthly abundance of talent.

Whatever his reasons [even a year later, new light has yet to be shed], Michael Jackson chose not to share his musical talent with the world in recent years, making his unexpected passing all the more sad. He was poised to begin a series of concerts in London that could very well have been the comeback many folks had long been waiting for. Instead, we’re left to re-watch, reexamine, and rediscover all that he did give us in his half-century on earth.

It’s nearly impossible for anyone to name just one favorite Michael Jackson moment, song, or video. However, one that’s very near the top of my very long list is “Smooth Criminal.” Twenty years ago, the seventh single from Bad reached #7 on January 14, 1989.

In the “Smooth Criminal” video, Michael Jackson debuted another of his patented dance moves, the anti-gravity lean. The effect was so unique, in fact, that the singer sought and was granted a real U.S. Patent (No. 5,255,452):

Purchase Michael Jackson – “Smooth Criminal” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.