This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/13/2024
Michael Jackson 1988 MTV Music Awards Worn Moonwalk Shoes.
The relationship between LA Gear and Michael Jackson is very well documented. On September 24, 1989 Michael Jackson was paid $20 million dollars to endorse LA Gear. Mr. Sandy Saemann was at the helm of this break-out move. Of course, Michael Jackson assisted with this monumental idea when he woke up one day and wanted to swap his Moon Walking Loafers for LA Gear Sneakers and this is how these shoes offered in this auction landed into the hands of the LA Gear executive.
This is the only pair of performance Moonwalking shoes to be offered on the recent auction market.
Shooting took place for the LA GEAR commercials and Mr. Saemann oversaw the entire video shoot. After shooting, it was into editing for months and this is when the exchange of the shoes occurred. Tirelessly the Artist and Exec would create the LA Gear Image. They became very close during those intimate editing hours. One day, Michael handed the executive his Moon Walking shoes and told him that they would be an iconic remembrance of Michael’s King of Pop history. He told the Exec these were the shoes he performed in at the 1988 MTV awards. You can see with the age and wear of the shoes that they have multiple performance uses and wear.
9 D 7796 06 20056 interior shoe stamped serial number and size. This is a Florsheim shoe which is the brand and style that Michael wore.
In red marker on the bottom of the heel is Michael Jackson’s phone number 445-5583. He would purposely write down his phone number on the bottom of his shoe in case he needed to remember it.
The MTV Video Vanguard Award is presented each year to an artist who has made a profound effect on the MTV culture. Peter Gabriel, who was honored for his wonderful Sledgehammer promo, presented the award to 1988’s recipient, Michael Jackson live via satellite from London, after a montage of clips from Michael’s videos.
Following his lengthy acceptance speech, Michael performed his song “Bad”. This was his first performance at the MTV VMAs. The performance featured Michael’s new version of the moonwalk, gliding sideways instead of backwards. He also executed the original moonwalk, just as fascinating as ever, with another new just as impossible step in which he walks forward skidding his foot on the floor as he moves it forward, making his steps look rapid & choppy, like several animated pictures each slightly different than the one before, flipped through quickly making the figure appear to be moving. The review of Michael’s career in video, his acceptance of the Vanguard Award and his performance were without a doubt the only highlights of the entire lackluster award show and these shoes are the facilitators of this performance.
This is an incredible example of authentic Michael Jackson Moonwalking shoes.
Authentication: Letter of Provenance and a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.