The Birth of MTV & the Power of the Music Video

This is part of my Pop Music in the ‘80s series.

At 12:01 AM on August 1, 1981, the words “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll” rang out over the airwaves, accompanied by the now-iconic image of an astronaut planting an MTV flag on the moon. Seconds later, The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” became the first music video ever broadcast on MTV. It was a fitting introduction to a channel that would bring music videos into homes 24/7 and in the process transform the way music was consumed, promoted, and experienced.

From Curated Shows to Non-Stop Music Television

Before MTV, most televised musical performances were live. Music videos were largely promotional tools, and occasionally featured on television programs like Top of the Pops, American Bandstand, and The Midnight Special when scheduling conflicts prevented the artists from appearing live…