It was August 1st, 1981 and at 12:01 MTV music television started broadcasting. At the beggining, we saw the Apollo launch, followed by the symbolic MTV flag. Then the first video played – Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles.
The station technically was around a lot longer before that. Known as “Sight on Sound” on the QUBE in 1977, the station was building for the historic day in 1981.
MTV Flag
First 10 songs played on MTV
Video Killed the Radio Star – The Buggles
You Better Run – Pat Benatar
She Won’t Dance - Rod Stewart
You Better You Bet -The Who
Little Susie’s on the Up – Ph.D.
We Don’t Talk Anymore – Cliff Richard
Brass in Pocket – The Pretenders
Time Heals – Todd Rundgren
Take It on the Run – REO Speedwagon
Rockin’ the Paradise – Styx
The opening monologue: In the beginning was the music, but there was no one was around to hear it. As the population grew in numbers, music grew in popularity. Man invented the radio and the phonograph. Hi-Fidelity made quite a splash but it was full stereo sound that made the explosion. Soon, television came along and gave us the gift of site, but it was cable that gave us the freedom of choice.
For a while it seemed there was nothing new on the horizon. Announcing the latest achievement in home entertainment. The power of sight, video and the power of sound. MTV music television.
Commercials from Atari and Mountain Dewwere part of the first day of programming. VJ’s Alan Hunter, J.J. Jackson, Nina Blackwood, Martha Quinn and Mark Goodman are the first faces we saw on the station.
“This is IT. Welcome to MTV – music television.” Says Mark Goodman. “The world’s first 24 hour stereo video music channel. Just moments ago all of the VJ’s and crew here at MTV collectively hit our executive producer – Sue Steinberg – over the head with a bottle of champagne and behold – a new concept is born. The best of TV combined with the best of radio. Your favorite tunes are never too far away anytime you tune in. “
The above video is the Buggles with “Video killed the radio star” in 2004. It was the only other time it was played live since 1981 and even had the full cast.
BTW – Viacom pulled the first hour of programming off YouTube, which is why I cannot play that clip.
Since then, MTV has grown past videos. It’s purchase of Cable Music Channel from Turner – changing it to VH1 and starting of original programming had brought MTV to realize you can do more from the channel. The channel had much critisicm for ditching videos for shows like the Real Life and Jersey Shore. However, MTV-2 was created for the music videos.
Of course, people remember the show “Beavis and Butthead“, which is planning for a return this fall. But when I polled people, a lot of them mentioned they haven’t watched the channel for years. Those that do had one favorite program, but didn’t watch the channel religiously.
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