Music Video History

Rochelle Cranstoun

1981

The music video ‘video killed the radio star’ by the British group the bugles airs on MTV as the first shown on television.

1983The release of the ‘elephant parts’ by Michael Mesmith is the first video album and Grammy winner in the category of music video.

1983

Bringing humour to the music video world. Alfred yankie signs a contract with Scottie bros and writes his debut LP ‘Weird All’ Yankonic.

1893

Michael Jackson - Thriller

1984

The first video music awards gathering popular bands and musicians is presented by MTV. Among them is modern who performed the widely known hit ‘like a virgin’.

1985

MTV launches the channel VH1 or video hits one. Which was created for an older age group who listens to softer music Bruce Springsteen ‘born in the USA’ as the best selling album of the year.

1986

At the pinnacle of his career, Peter Gabriel has three top 20 hits including ‘sledgehammer’ ‘big time’ and ‘don't give up’. Peter Gabriel introduced into the rock and hall of fame.

1988

Public enemy releases ‘night of the living basehead’ which breaks new ground. Presenting music videos as form of cultural expressions for artist in the world of hip hop.

1995Directed by mark romanek. Michael and Janet Jackson ‘scream’ is listed as the most expressive music video of all time costing £1 million to produce.

2005With the launch of YouTube and MySpace TV two years later, music artist such as ok go and soulja boy began to see more success through the ability of viewers watching their videos online.