The Rise of MTV

MTV was launched in 1981 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The channel aired music videos 24/7, introducing viewers to new artists and changing the way music was consumed. MTV became the ultimate arbiter of what was cool and what was not, with musicians and fans alike vying for airtime on the channel.

MTV’s impact on the music scene was undeniable, with iconic videos like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” becoming instant classics. MTV also gave rise to a new type of celebrity–the VJ–who became the face of the network. Such personalities as Martha Quinn and Mark Goodman emerged, becoming household names in the process. As MTV’s influence grew, more and more artists sought to create videos to accompany their singles, leading to a whole new era of visual expression in music.