I Want My MTV

VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV's First Wave chronicles MTV's beginnings from the original VJ's (Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman, Martha Quinn, J.J. Jackson, and Nina Blackwood) point of view. Due to the death of VJ J.J. Jackson, his side is told from interviews he gave and memories from his fellow VJ's.

Each chapter is named with lyrics from songs and an explanation of what the chapter will cover. The VJ's discuss what they were doing before MTV, how they were hired, what the early days were like, and ultimately, how they left MTV.

MTV began as a music station. Videos from artists (mainly rock) were shown with the VJ's introducing the videos, conducting interviews, and sharing music news. MTV was readily available in every cable market, hence the I Want My MTV campaign. As Michael Jackson grew bigger, the pressure to play his music increased, and studio executives began to shift programming to suit different music genres. The VJ's chronicle MTV's humble beginnings, their antics on air, the relationships they had with each other, and their view on different music artists.

This book is a good read for anyone who grew up on MTV and remember the VJ's, or someone interested in the history of MTV.

Please click on the cover or title above to request this item.

Review by Cara