Now you can figure out the answer to that pressing quandary without having to rely on your memory, thanks to MTV’s music site putting together a playlist of 56 clips that aired during the channel’s first broadcast day. Ah, remember when “music” was something of a viable strategy to make people pay attention? Good times. As you might expect, there is lots of rock, both modern (Shoes, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello) and already-fossilizing (the Who, .38 Special.) Also: Two clips by Iron Maiden! My favorite clip, of Blotto’s “I Wanna Be A Lifeguard,” is below.
(And apologies to any out-of-the-States readers; here is a lower-quality version of the clip I’m talking about. Also the runner-up would have probably been Ph.D’s “Little Suzi,” which I first heard when it was covered by Tesla back in the day.)
The First 24 Hours [MTV via 3stacks]
Blotto – I Wanna Be A Lifeguard [MTV]
There’s a lot of repetition on that list. Rod Stewart and The Pretenders had a bit of a monopoly.
I have to say my faves are Ashes To Ashes (classic Steve Strange appearance) and Oliver’s Army.
Thank you for being a friend! Duh.
SHOES!
Fuck, Why did you have to beat me to Blotto u_u
Give me “Rapture” by my girl Debbie hands down. Was also one of the first 7″ singles I ever bought… think it was at Camelot music in the mall. (or maybe Peaches in the strip center)
That’s a pretty cool time capsule. Robert Plant with Rockpile, doing Elvis Presley’s “Little Sister.” That’s the sort of thing I simply don’t remember.
Maura, the Albany native in me applauds you, especially since the station I first heard this on in Albany just had its entire on air staff wiped out in the CC layoffs.
Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime” FTW. Surprised they had to play more than 50 videos before getting around to it.
Tusk! Or soft focus Kate Bush.
no love for two Split Enz videos?
also shout-out to cleveland’s most famous contribution to classic rock obscurity, Michael Stanley.
Either Kate Bush or Talking Heads.