Before the age of the music video, most big musicians had to settle for foregoing music video footage entirely or investing in whole films. (See: The many musical films The Beatles produced for their albums.) However, by the early 1980s, something brand-new had popped up. A little broadcasting company called MTV debuted with a simple formula. All music videos from big-name artists and underground gems, all the time.
Videos by American Songwriter
MTV isn’t quite the same as it used to be. But in its golden age, the channel debuted some really amazing music videos that gave their artists a big career boost. Let’s look at just a few examples of rock musicians who blew up thanks to MTV! However, it’s worth noting that each of these artists was already well-known before MTV began; the network just gave them a career boost.
Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar was making waves way before MTV debuted in 1981. However, the network certainly gave her career a boost. “Love Is A Battlefield” was the second-ever music video that MTV aired, following the iconic “Video Killed The Radio Star” by The Buggles. Benatar’s song was originally a Young Rascals tune, but she made it totally her own with her unique vocals and memorable music video.
Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren was another rock star to get some much-appreciated exposure on early MTV. His music video for the song “Time Heals” was the eighth to ever air on the network. He would go on to produce a number of other successful videos for his songs, but “Time Heals” is a real throwback for any kid who was glued to the screen when the network first aired.
Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart was around for a hot minute before “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” catapulted him into international fame. However, MTV definitely had a hand in the song blowing up even more, several years after it debuted, and giving his career a major boost. The video for the song “She Won’t Dance With Me” was the third ever video to be aired on the network, and the videos for “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright)” were very successful.
Phil Collins
When one thinks of the 80s, one often thinks of rock star Phil Collins’ soothing tunes, many of which were aired on MTV. “In The Air Tonight” is probably the most memorable of the bunch, as is “Another Day In Paradise”. Following his MTV debut, Collins would go on to be a master of sorts when it came to classic 80s music videos.
Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
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