Today, August 1, marks the 30th birthday of ever-changing music television channel, MTV.
Thirty years ago MTV was nowhere near the world wide sensation it has become today.
The first music video they aired was “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the British duo known as ‘The Buggles.’ So, American audiences began to take interest of Britain’s up-and-coming groups, already producing videos for their soundtracks. Our world was rocked as new sights and sounds took over the classic chart toppers in the country, pop, and light rock categories.
Anthony DeCurtis, a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, has faith that MTV has been destined for bigger and better things since the start. From its original music videos, through to today’s hit reality shows ‘Teen Mom’ and ‘The Jersey Shore,’ the network made showcasing ‘over the top’ content a central aim of the channel.
And that DeCurtis says is, “MTV’s greatest strength. As someone who has worked in media … I’ve seen how success can bring a lack of willingness to try things.”
It seems as though thinking out- of- the- box has been something the network has excelled at.
MTV had the unforgettable first ‘Spring Break’ coverage in 1985 along with the first safe sex public service announcements (PSA), ‘Beavis and Butthead’ in 1993, ‘Real World’ and ‘Road Rules’ in 1994, and ‘TRL’ with host Carson Daly beginning in 1998– to mention a few fan favorites.
Our hats go off to MTV for entertaining us with ground-breaking ideas that continue to evolve from generation to generation.
And that was exactly the point, said Jim DeRogatis, pop-music critic at Chicago Sun-Times, “To always seem hipper, hotter and to scare your parents is in the great tradition of rock ’n’ roll.”
What are your favorite music videos from the past few decades?
