Watch Michael Jackson’s Amazing Spins Through The Years: Idolator Instant

From the Jackson 5‘s “I Want You Back” in 1970 to Michael Jackson‘s “Love Never Felt So Good” this spring, the King Of Pop has been entertaining us with a dazzling flurry of hit singles, record-breaking albums, stunning live performances and, particularly, jaw-dropping dance moves over the past five decades. Granted, we now have to watch those moves and performances in retrospect…which is exactly what we did in the wake of the recent release of MJ’s posthumous album Xscape.

Sure, there are many signature steps Jackson had that remain emblazoned on our minds: the moonwalk: that leg kick; the, um, crotch grab. But we decided to focus on his famous spins over the years for our latest Idolator Instant compilation.

In the video clip above, you’ll see a young, teen-aged Michael twirling effortlessly through various TV performances with his brothers. As the years moved on and his solo albums like Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad began smashing sales records, he kept his trademark spin going on the stage and in the then-flourishing medium of music videos.

Further albums like Dangerous, HIStory and Invincible followed, and despite the heavy trappings of fame and personal issues that plagued the entertainer in the later years of his career — or perhaps because of them — MJ kept turning rapidly while performing before our very eyes.

Click play above to watch Michael Jackson spin through the decades during his monumental reign as the one true King Of Pop.

Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.