“You got to roll with the punches to get to what’s real . . .” --Van Halen, Jump
“So let’s sink another drink, cause it’ll give me time to think.” --Billy Idol, Dancing With Myself
“Ghosts appear and fade away . . .” --Men at Work, Overkill
Nina Blackwood . . . Mark Goodman . . . Alan Hunter . . . J.J. Jackson . . . Martha Quinn
. . . If these names of the five original MTV Vee-Jays don’t ring a bell, than it’s obvious that you missed out on the so-called “Golden Era” of Music Television, you know when they actually played music videos 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These days, you switch over to MTV and get some stupid “reality-based” show like “Road Rules” or “The Real World.” If you’re really lucky, you’ll get to watch endless, round-the-clock coverage of “Spring Break Uncensored” - basically a bunch of horny college students from the Midwest trying to get laid in Cancun, Mexico. Actually I stopped watching MTV the day that David Lee Roth left Van Halen. Founded 25 years ago, on August, 1, 1981, MTV as we knew it in the early ’80s is now just a fading memory. So join us below as we rehash the best and worst moments from that glorious time period.
MTV'S FIRST 25 MUSIC VIDEOS - AUGUST 1, 1981
1. 'Video Killed the Radio Star,' The Buggles
2. 'You Better Run,' Pat Benatar
3. 'She Won't Dance,' Rod Stewart
4. 'You Better You Bet,' The Who
5. 'Little Suzi's on the Up,' Ph.D.
6. 'We Don't Talk Anymore,' Cliff Richard
7. 'Brass in Pocket,' The Pretenders
8. 'Time Heals,' Todd Rundgren
9. 'Take it on the Run,' REO Speedwagon
10. 'Rockin' the Paradise,' Styx
11. 'When Things Go Wrong,' Robin Lane and The Chartbusters
12. 'History Never Repeats,' Split Enz
13. 'Hold on Loosely,' .38 Special
14. 'Just Between You and Me,' April Wine
15. 'Sailing,' Rod Stewart
16. 'Iron Maiden,' Iron Maiden
17. 'Keep On Loving You,' REO Speedwagon
18. 'Message of Love,' The Pretenders
19. 'Mr. Briefcase,' Lee Ritenour
20. 'Double Life,' The Cars
21. 'In the Air Tonight,' Phil Collins
22. 'Clues,' Robert Palmer
23. 'Too Late,' The Shoes
24. 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around,' Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
25. 'Surface Tension,' Rupert Hine
MTV 10-Year Anniversary
Randy (randytow@intertek.net) - 2007-10-03 21:50:55
Being 42 years old, your MTV video reviews were a riot. Why? Because as I read your list, I COULD SEE EACH VIDEO IN MY MIND! Amazing how much crap your brain retains, while dumping the important stuff! I don't watch MTV—haven't for years. Guess I'm not particularly interested in the new stuff (Generation, what 'X', 'Y', who knows anymore?). It's just not original—bunch of whiners complaining that, after having driven a Corvette to high school, life seems to have no purpose?!? I don't know—don't care. By the way, Martha Quinn fueled more fantasies than most porn stars!
Malibu - 2007-10-06 07:00:48
I'm in complete agreement with you on how crappy MTV is now. It sucks big time! How can "Vogue" by on your honor mention for worst video? Madonna was the "M" in MTV back in its glory days.
Martin L. Shoemaker - 2007-10-07 13:39:16
Your essay on 80s videos on MTV is wonderful. However, I can't agree with "We're Not Gonna Take It" on your list. Any time a Weird Al parody of a song is more memorable than the song itself, the artist should hang his head in shame; and if it's one of Al's polka medleys (funny the first time, but give it a rest, Al!), the artist should resign from the business and go into the Witness Protection Program. Whenever I think of "We're Not Gonna Take It", I can hear Als' polka music in the back of my head, NOT Twisted Sister.
Tim - 2007-10-08 18:52:46
Hey man, just letting you know that I was happy about Men Without Hats being on your best of list, as early to mid eighties synth pop is one of my favorite genres.
paul from durham - 2008-01-20 15:04:21
actually, i like 'whip it' by devo, i look at it as sort of an experimental film, and think devo's intent was to make it look goofy, that is they are in on the joke.
i guess it may be too old for your list but dylan's 'subterranean homesick blues' should be on the honorable mention list, maybe 'jokerman'.
Big 80s - 2008-03-24 10:10:17
Martha Quinn has a regular 80s music show on Sirius Radio
Oldtimer - 2008-07-20 16:29:16
Putting "anything by Duran Duran" on the worst list and Twisted Sister's We're Not Gonna Take It in amongst the best is ignorance bordering on total retardation. Duran's videos were cutting edge little mini movies with more style and panache than anything else out at the time. They set the standard for videos back then and were ripped off for the rest of the 80's. Twisted Sisters videos were cheesy beyond belief and had virtually no originality in direction or concept but were just teen rebellion butt rocker cliche crap common for the era.
T.J. - 2008-11-21 16:32:21
What? "Whip it" on the 'worst' list? Is you high?
jason - 2009-03-13 12:08:54
41 yrs old here. our parents thought we were insane at the time, but i honestly think we (now late 30s to early 40s) were the last generation of "real" kids. we knew what a skinned knee felt like. we didnt have to be on an organized sports team to get in a game of anything (you just had a 'pickup' game w/ kids in the area). we had wants and things to strive for, and we werent saturated with degrading and desensitizing sexuality (getting porn in print was one of those things you'd 'strive for' ;) ). we wanted but hardly got, compared to today, instant gratification (and we are better for it). and we took care of ourselves. we saved money to buy nice clothes, for school (if a religious or private high school), we didnt go off in a rage and shoot people (but did defame them behind their backs)... of course im emphasizing only the positive, and there are exceptions to everything, but i honestly think we were the last generation of a great America we once knew. values have really changed since then.