Special Program: MTV circa 1981

desertangel · #1 07-28-2006, 02:38 AM

This should be worth TiVo, at least: (from the nicksfix)

July 31 through Aug 1
VH1 Classic is paying tribute to the historic impact MTV has had on music and pop culture over the last 25 years by airing the first 24 hours of programming from MTV's August 1, 1981 network debut. The day of celebration will begin on Monday, July 31 at 12:00 midnight with the first video that started a music revolution, The Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star." The 24-hour historic marathon will run through Tuesday, August 1. Stevie Nicks appeared in two videos on the first day of MTV, in Stop Draggin' My Heart Around with Tom Petty and Tusk with Fleetwood Mac.

amber · #2 07-28-2006, 02:43 AM

That's our girl. I wish I had that channel. Then I could cry at the loveliness of history, and the beautifulness of FM and Stevie, and all that they meant to everything.
I never knew that before. It's pretty f*cking awesome.

I'm suprised Edge wasn't there, but SDMHA was the first single off the album?

foxyluva · #3 07-28-2006, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

but SDMHA was the first single off the album?

Yep.

I wish I had that channel also, but alas, in New Zealand - we have no such thing as cable

GODDESS6 · #4 07-28-2006, 06:22 AM

gosh i am old, i remember thios day & saw vh1 classic was doing this, i can't wait!!!~

JazmenFlowers · #5 07-28-2006, 08:39 AM

I've also read that Gypsy was the first ever World Premiere video on MTV.

skcin · #6 07-28-2006, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

That's our girl. I wish I had that channel. Then I could cry at the loveliness of history, and the beautifulness of FM and Stevie, and all that they meant to everything.
I never knew that before. It's pretty f*cking awesome.

I'm suprised Edge wasn't there, but SDMHA was the first single off the album?

SDMHA was the highest charting single from BD, not sure if it was the first to be released, too lazy to look it up.

The Edge video was never officially released.

JazmenFlowers · #7 07-28-2006, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

The Edge video was never officially released.

and it sucks that there wasn't one released. it seems that the band's/Stevie's lack of understanding the whole video/promotion thing started way back. possibly Stevie's most recognizable song (certainly a rock classic) and there's no damn video.

MacMan · #8 07-28-2006, 09:42 AM

This would be a real kick to watch! I remember watching mtv non-stop in the early 80's. It was really great - non-stop vids.

Can't recall, but even though they broadcast 24hours a day, wasn't their day actually only 12 hours, or 6 hours, that just kept repeating or something like that - so if you missed something, you could figure out when it would be on again?

gldstwmn · #9 07-28-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacMan

This would be a real kick to watch! I remember watching mtv non-stop in the early 80's. It was really great - non-stop vids.

Can't recall, but even though they broadcast 24hours a day, wasn't their day actually only 12 hours, or 6 hours, that just kept repeating or something like that - so if you missed something, you could figure out when it would be on again?

Yep. It only used to be on part time. The early days of MTV were so much fun.

ELIUD · #10 07-28-2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

I've also read that Gypsy was the first ever World Premiere video on MTV.

I remember when it premiered on MTV and also seeing it on Dick Clarks Video Countdown or whatever it was called. He said back then that it was the most expensive video ever made costing I think, $75,000. Russell Mulcahey (sp) was the director and he bacame instantly popular going on to direct movies later. Gypsy really was a turning point in music video production because all of sudden everybody wanted to do flashy movie-style videos with lots of costumes and extras and all that crap.

When they broadcast the first Music Video Awards, Gypsy recieved the Honorable Mention award because only songs that reached the top 5 in the charts (or somewhere around there) were eligible to receive the Best Video award. It was a LAME show.

desertangel · #11 07-28-2006, 05:38 PM

Holy jeeze... your banner is FAB!! Niiice!

All of you all impress me with your knowledge of these things. I don't know how you remember this stuff. Fascinating about the Gypsy video. And if SDMHA was at the forefront of MTV, that would explain the downright cheeseyness of it. Looks more like those old vids you'd see from Ed Sullivan when the Electric Prunes were on. Stevie is looking around to see which camera has the red light on and she fumbles a few words probably because there's no teleprompter or she couldn't see it if there was one.

I don't get vh1 classic, either but I'd sure love to sign up for it just to see this special.... hmm... wonder how much it'd cost.

GarboSpeaks! · #12 07-28-2006, 08:47 PM

I just added VH-1 Classic today. I had to have it! Was long over-due. Today, watching the sneak peak of things to come, made me SO sentimental. OMG, 25 years ago? JEESH! I can rememer like it was yesterday airing. Was a big deal. What I seem to recall almost as much, is when MTV took a turn for the SUCKA**. Was SUCH a bummer =0(

I will be recording it all, and have purchased a TIVO type DVD burner so once it's off the TV, I can record it right onto DVD. Anyone that doesn't have it, I am sure many of us will be recording it.

Macfanforever · #13 07-28-2006, 09:32 PM

It's about time, MTV sucks now. Reality TV sucks, That crap is now everywhere.
1981 the real mtv, music vj's, nonstop videos. yes VH1 now stinks. sister station
CMT is getting there in the crap tv dept.I have to run a tape over my moms house to see the show.

David · #14 07-29-2006, 11:10 AM

The first place I saw the "Gypsy" video, oddly enough, was not MTV but on Kasey Casem's Countdown (or whatever it was called). My eyes bugged out when I first saw it--I was so proud of Fleetwood Mac for such a startling production. It really was a seminal moment in rock videos because it widened the bounds of a dizzying number of elements: choreography, production design, storytelling/storyboarding, various aspects of conception, &c.

Too bad Fleetwood Mac didn't decide to foray further into uncharted video territory in the coming years.

MacMan · #15 07-29-2006, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

The first place I saw the "Gypsy" video, oddly enough, was not MTV but on Kasey Casem's Countdown (or whatever it was called). My eyes bugged out when I first saw it--I was so proud of Fleetwood Mac for such a startling production. It really was a seminal moment in rock videos because it widened the bounds of a dizzying number of elements: choreography, production design, storytelling/storyboarding, various aspects of conception, &c.

Too bad Fleetwood Mac didn't decide to foray further into uncharted video territory in the coming years.

I used to watch Kasey Saturday mornings - I miss the days of anticipation for things to come - like waiting for the latest creem or hit parader mag... or waiting for particular vids or songs to be played on the radio... everything just seems too accessible now a-days - and it almost takes the fun out of it.