Wow! Another music thread! MTV turns 26 today...best acts of the video era?

What acts best used the new medium back in the day when, you know, bands made videos?

I think Tom Petty (not our TP) was the most underrated artist of that era. His videos were incredibly creative and always told a story (except I Won't Back Down and Free Fallin). "Into The Great Wide Open" might be my favorite video ever.

Cyndi Lauper, Madonna and Bon Jovi also obviously profited from putting an image to the music. And Michael Jackson is a category unto himself, at least before he went completely apeshit crazy.

Oh wait I was wrong: Metallica's One is the best video ever.

your thoughts?

 

Duran Duran

 

Nothing matches the awesomeness of She's Like the Wind. And I will NOT argue this.

 

The first music videos I was exposed to:



And actually, Duran Duran was one of the first groups to figure out music videos. (Couldn't tell if the sarcasm font was on there, AQB.)

If you're truly talking MTV's infancy -- 1981-83, before Michael Jackson changed the rules for everyone -- Fleetwood Mac, The Police, The Kinks, The Cars and Devo used the format well, too.

 

Duran Duran. Rio and Save a Prayer are beautiful location videos

Peter Gabriel has to be included in the mix, too.

Although I have to say, REO Speedwagon and Leo Sayer are my favs from early MTV.

Reminds me of a comment Bret Bielema made at Big Ten media day the other day. He talked about media hype and attention for a program and he made some reference to "video killing the rock star." And he asked if that was the name of a song. Um, no.

 

No love for Korn?

 

Girls On Film is Duran Duran's best video.

 

Van Halen w/ DLR - Jump, Panama, Hot for Teacher

 

Yeah, I can't really think of another hard rock band who used it better than they did. You could also had Diamond Dave's solo videos. "It's Dave TV!"

 

REO Speedwagon is another good one. Might even be a better choice than Duran Duran. When MTV came out it seemed like every third video was REO.

 

Then there's this guy:

 

Pink Floyd---Learning To Fly.


End of thread.