New Book Offers Entertaining Look at the Inception of MTV
A new music history book takes us back to the MTV’s music video roots.
I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the MusicVideo Revolutionby co -authors Craig Marks and Rob Tannenbaum is a nostalgic rock history which chronicles how an obscure cable channel in New Jersey became the iconic MTV. Through interviews with over 400 rock stars the rise, metamorphosis and business practices of MTV are played out in an easy-to-follow yet hard-to-put-down read.
Before Snookie from the Jersey Shore MTV was all about the music video. “We want our MTV” the chanted ad slogan, brought music to the masses through a visual medium which had an undeniable influence on pop culture throughout the world.
The original format of the station was a series of music video shows hosted by video jockeys, a new form of disk jockey called VJ’s. Shows like YO-MTV Raps, 120 Minutes, Alternative Nation and Headbangers Ball helped pave the way for mainstream success of new genres of music such as New Wave, Grunge, Heavy Metal, and Rap.
Over the past few decades, MTV has given up the music and the video on its main channel and succumbed to the inevitable evolution of pop culture and the hunger for reality TV. The channel’s format now offers a plethora of reality TV and has aired series such as Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, The Real World, 16 and Pregnant, Road Rules, Jackass, The Osbournes, Punk’d, Pimp My Ride, MADE, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, and The Hills.
For a bit of music nostalgia pick up the MTV book for a fun winter read, and download music for an ’80s playlist. What is your favorite ’80s song?
Do you know your music history? What was the first music video ever played on MTV in August 1981? Check out the video and ’80s playlist below.
’80s playlist
“99 Luftballoons”- Nena
“Burning Down The House”- Talking Heads
“Faith”- George Michael
“Girls on Film” -Duran Duran
“I Melt With You”- Modern English
“Jane Says”- Jane’s Addiction
“Love Shack”- B-52’s
“Need You Tonight”- INXS
“Lucky Star” -Madonna
“Billie Jean”- Michael Jackson
“Obsession”- Animotion
“Pretty In Pink”-Psychedelic Furs
“Rapture”- Blondie
“Straight Outta Compton”- N.W.A.
“Tainted Love”- Soft Cell
“When Doves Cry”- Prince