This month, MTV celebrates its 40th anniversary. And while they don't play videos anymore, they played ton on August 1, 1981. Here are the best ones.
The Buggles "Video Killed The Radio Star"
The first video ever played on MTV. Iconic.
Pat Benatar "You Better Run"
The second video ever played on MTV. And the first of many great Pat Benatar clips to make it into rotation.
The Who "You Better You Bet"
The Who were in the mix early on that first day of MTV.
38 Special "Hold On Loosely"
We tend to remember a lot of the new wave videos from the early days of MTV, but there was plenty of straight-up rock in the mix, too.
Iron Maiden "Iron Maiden"
The first heavy metal band to be played on MTV.
Phil Collins "In The Air Tonight"
Who would've thought one of the first memorable music music videos of the MTV era would just be a close-up of Phil Collins' big head?
Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around"
Stevie AND Tom bringing the star power to MTV Day One.
Blondie "Heart of Glass"
If anyone had a face custom-made for MTV, it was Debbie Harry.
Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime"
Another first-day clip that has reached iconic status 40 years on.
J. Geils Band "Love Stinks"
How cool was it as a Boston music fan to see one of our own on the first day of MTV?
The Cars "Let's Go"
And they weren't the only Boston band to crack the rotation on Day One. The Cars had a couple of clips in the mix.
Ramones "Do You Remember Rock and Roll Radio?"
It would've been sacrilege to not have a Ramones video on MTV's first day.
