VJ
The Unplugged Adventures of MTV's First Wave
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3.7 • 3 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
In this “highly entertaining snapshot of a wild-frontier moment in pop culture” (Rolling Stone), discover the wild and explosive true story of the early years of MTV directly from the original VJs.
Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn (along with the late J. J. Jackson) had front-row seats to the music television revolution—and to the wild antics of pop music icons like Adam Ant, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Duran Duran. As the first VJs on the fledgling network, they lived the behind-the-scenes reality of a media phenomenon that defined 1980s pop culture and launched a new music video era. From partying with David Lee Roth to flying on Bob Dylan’s private jet, these pioneers captured unforgettable rock star stories in a whirlwind of sound, style, and excess.
More than just a collection of behind-the-scenes music stories, VJ is a candid MTV memoir and VJ oral history that doubles as a coming-of-age in the 1980s saga. Through the lens of New Wave, controversy, and hairspray, this addictive book documents how a crazy moment sparked a full-blown pop culture revolution.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Although it's a household word today, when MTV debuted on August 1, 1981, the cable television channel boosted the careers of many rockers looking to kickstart their careers (Madonna), reboot their careers (Michael Jackson), or launch their careers (Duran Duran). In those heady early days, anything seemed possible, and the ability to look pretty in music videos offered many mediocre music acts a shot at fame and fan worship. MTV worked so well because of a group of onscreen video jockeys (VJs), who introduced the music, interviewed the acts, and brought a friendly presence into the living rooms of many fans. In this brilliantly conceived but regrettably dull and lackluster book, Rolling Stone contributing editor Edwards gathers interviews from the original group of MTV VJs with the exception of J.J. Jackson, who died in 2004 offering a firsthand account of what life and work at MTV were like in those early days. The VJs reflect on their work together, their toughest interviews, their relationships with the musicians who passed through the MTV studios, and the cultural impact of MTV. Blackwood recalls that because of MTV, "musicians got more visually conscious; or self-conscious." Hunter believes that MTV "presented this vision of American culture, which was tolerant of sincerity and tongue-in-cheek self-deprecation at the same time." For Goodman, MTV is the "reason you have no attention span. And you can pin reality TV on us, too." Goodman best sums up the VJs' halcyon days: "MTV was a trial by fire. We went through this wonderful, terrible experience together and it bonded us."
Customer Reviews
A fun read if you were there, and even if you weren't
I never watched MTV at the time the 5 original VJs were there (more a geographical issue than one of interest) but its still a lot of fun hearing how it all happened from the 5 people who were at the heart of it! JJ may not have been there to help write it, but his presence is definitely felt!