38 Years Ago a Moonman Changed It All: Ladies and Gentlemen, Rock and Roll

The day was August 1, 1981. I remember sitting there wondering what in hell was this going to be. The  black screen on the television switched to a rocket ready to blast off. The countdown began and then the catchy beat that would forever be synonymous with the channel began. Music Television, otherwise to be known as MTV,  was born.

Mark Goodman was there telling the us that the world's first 24 hour stereo video music channel had launched and a new concept had been born. Music from then on became more than what we heard. Theatrics would become almost as important as the lyrics and sound in a song. From that first video played, (The Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star") through all the moonmen they would go on to award through  the VMAs, MTV changed music forever. Not to mention the films and slew of reality shows that launched major careers and trends along the way.

Today is not the MTV I was introduced to and loved. The channel has toned down its music video programming significantly, and it mainly now consists of original reality, comedy and drama programming and some off-network syndicated programs, with limited music video programming during those off-peak time slots. Sad to say the least, but being a child of the 80's....I still want my MTV.