VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV"S First Wave (Inscribed by VJs Nina Blackwood and Mark Goodman)

Blackwood, Nina; Goodman, Mark; Quinn, Martha; Hunter, Alan; Edwards, Gavin

ISBN 10: 1451678126 / ISBN 13: 9781451678123

Published by Atria Books, 2013

About this Item

First Edition -- inscribed by Nina Blackwood and Mark Goodman -- of this oral history of one of the universe-shaking cultural moments of the 1980s -- the launch of MTV -- by four of the first amiable cool cats to spin tape in a new pop music role: VJ. Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn describe how they became ringmasters for the endless loops of Duran Duran, Cyndi Lauper, Eurythmics etc. and navigated an unprecedented pop music role: VJ. Inscribed by Nina Blackwood and Mark Goodman to a previous owner on the half title page. 318 pages, illustrated. Seller Inventory # 015913

Bibliographic Details

Title: VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV"S First ...

Publisher: Atria Books

Publication Date: 2013

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good+

Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition

About this title

Synopsis:

The original MTV VJs offer a behind-the-scenes oral history of the early years of MTV, circa 1981 to 1985, when it was exploding, reshaping the culture, and forming “the MTV generation.”

MTV’s original VJs offer a behind-the-scenes oral history of the early years of MTV, 1981 to 1987, when it was exploding, reshaping the culture, and creating “the MTV generation.”

Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn (along with the late J. J. Jackson) had front-row seats to a cultural revolution—and the hijinks of music stars like Adam Ant, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Duran Duran. Their worlds collided, of course: John Cougar invited Nina to a late-night “party” that proved to be a seduction attempt. Mark partied with David Lee Roth, who offered him cocaine and groupies. Aretha Franklin made chili for Alan. Bob Dylan whisked Martha off to Ireland in his private jet.

But while VJ has plenty of dish—secret romances, nude photographs, incoherent celebrities—it also reveals how four VJs grew up alongside MTV’s devoted viewers and became that generation’s trusted narrators. They tell the story of the ’80s, from the neon-colored drawstring pants to the Reagan administration, and offer a deeper understanding of how MTV changed our culture. Or as the VJs put it: “We’re the reason you have no attention span.”

About the Author:

Nina Blackwood was one of the first MTV VJs and is a radio host on SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s Big 80s channel and host of two radio shows nationally syndicated by the United Stations Radio Networks, “Absolutely80s” and “New Wave Nation.”

Mark Goodman was one of the first MTV VJs and is a radio host on SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s Big 80s channel.

Alan Hunter was one of the first MTV VJs and is a radio host on SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s Big 80s channel.

Martha Quinn was one of the first MTV VJs and is a radio host on SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s Big 80s channel.

Gavin Edwards is the author of five books on music. A contributing editor at Rolling Stone, he has written for The New York Times Magazine, Details, and Wired.