MTV premiered on August 1, 1981. Do you remember that day?

At 12:01 a.m. ET on Saturday, August 1, 1981, MTV would launch the first music video on the station that would significantly influence music in the 80s and the generation who viewed it. The first video ever played was The Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star."

The launch of MTV (Music Television) began with footage of the first Space Shuttle Columbia and Apollo 11 launches and John Lack speaking the words "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll." Then the original theme song would begin as the American flag on the moon landing is replaced with the MTV logo.

MTV (Music Television) originally aired music videos and music-related programming. The audience was guided by a group of video jockeys known as VJs. The original VJs included Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, Martha Quinn, JJ Jackson, and Nina Blackwood. The channel boasted 24-hour music videos in stereo and "You'll never look at music the same way again."

"Video Killed The Radio Star" was co-written by Trevor Hor, Geoff Downes of The Buggles,s and Bruce Woolley of The Camera Club. Woolley's band would release the single first, with keyboards played by Thomas Dolby, followed by The Buggles' release to Island Records. The Buggles gained popularity with the song, representing the era's synth-pop sound.

The second video played was Pat Benetar's "You Better Run." This song, also a cover, was originally performed by Young Rascals. Benatar's version appeared on the soundtrack of the film Roadie (1980).

The popularity of MTV spawned record sales of music the radio stations weren't playing, and the channel would propel the launch of a Second British Invasion. By 1984 artists and record labels recognized the opportunity for music videos to put their music at the forefront. The overabundance of music videos would require restructuring MTVs categories from three to seven, New, Light, Breakout, Medium, Active, Heavy, and Power, to allow for fair rotation and exposure of the top videos.

In 1984 MTV hosted the first annual MTV Awards featuring live performances and the presentation of awards featuring the MTV moonman trophies to the winners. The first event would feature Madonna's "Like A Virgin" performance, where she wore a bustier wedding gown complete with her famous "Boy Toy" belt.

Over the years, MTV has drastically changed its content, and the first generation to watch the channel has longed for the days when MTV was the greatest thing on television. Remembering fondly when their favorite artist declared, "I want my MTV!" This was a campaign that began in 1982 as a way to encourage people to call their local cable providers and demand the channel added to the lineup.

Luckily, YouTube is a thing, featuring many original clips from MTV that are available to watch for those who are nostalgic for the "good old days."

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