What It Was Really Like To Be The First Music Video On MTV

These days, The Buggles are a trivia question. Any MTV fan knows that the first video that aired when the network debuted in 1981 was The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star,” but most people don’t know much about them beyond that. It’s a shame, because the history of the band leading up to and following the song’s success is a fascinating one, and there were even two versions of “Radio Star” competing against each other on the radio at the time. Let’s take a look at the details of what it was really like for The Buggles to have the very first music video on MTV.

#MTV #Music #MusicVideo

Meet The Buggles | 0:00
Dueling Buggles | 1:00
Breaking new ground | 2:20
I want my MTV | 2:55
End of The Buggles | 3:42
Legacy | 4:36

[jamirimaj]

I thought my grandparents were lying when they told me once that MTV used to be a 24-hour music video and music-related network.

[nicholasmapes]

"Had this dream where record companies had computers in the basement and manufacture artists..." dang how accurate that was...

[dianehissen]

MTV is unrecognizable now, and has been for years. Damn shame.

[Danimal]

Trevor Horn is a genius. There would be no 1980's Britain without him: Buggles, ABC, Yes, Art of Noise, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Grace Jones, Propaganda, Pet Shop Boys

[ahonestwoman]

I remember when it came on to MTV...I am that old.

[occupied]

My bestie and I sat and watched the clock countdown to the moon man lift off, and watched in awe as The Buggles video launched. Our lives were changed forever.

[BatEatsMoth]

I was there for that moment. Me and my cousins all stood around the TV waiting for the channel debut.

[jamalvargas]

Boy MTV and VH1 really turned to crap what a shame they were so good back then

[deadendkid]

There was an Asia meet and greet at a bar close to me...that nobody heard about...and I ended up eating dinner with Geoff Downs...we talked about this stuff for about an hour...we had wings...it was 25 cent wing night...

[LolaCrazy]

The second video on MTV? Pat Benatar "You Better Run".

[Tigerhawk]

remember folks MTV used to play music videos. MTV stood for Music Television, now it stands for Moron Trash vision

[zellagrace]

I just saved music videos of my favorite songs to a playlist here and named it “I Miss my MTV”

[cscmusictv]

Let's not forget about GTA: Vice City and the song's inclusion on its soundtrack.

[rev.billchampoux]

I was surprised how good of a keyboardist Geoff was. I told this to my friend, The band Asia was going to be the first concert for MTV yet their lead singer John Wetton left the band. We are all Prog musicians and we are friendly to each other. I told Greg Lake of Emerson Lake and Palmer fill in and get the exposure you deserve. He had two weeks to learn the material and caught a cold yet they were great. Geoff had two firsts with MTV

[southtexasangler]

MTV was so good when it actually showed music videos. Now you have stupid shows like wild n out. That’s a shame.

[joconnor]

Such a hit here in Australia the sound of the new age

[Camman]

This is a blast from the past back in the day when MTV actually had something to do with music.

[floydlooney]

Many people today won't remember when MTV played videos.

[therestingrancor]

I heard you on the wireless back in '52.
Lying awake, intent at tuning in on you,
If I was young, it didn't stop you coming through..🎶❤️

[IanCarey]

Trevor Horn is the type of musician that ALL musicians should aspire to be...humble and down to earth...LEGEND !!!!