MTV Ruled the World

The Early Years of Music Video

By: Greg Prato

Narrated by: Greg Prato

Length: 23 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

There have been few times in modern music history that an instant shift in how we listen to - and view - music has occurred. However, the launch of MTV on August 1, 1981, was certainly one such occurrence. Instantly, music fans were now “listening with their eyes” rather than relying solely on their ears.

MTV Ruled the World: The Early Years of Music Video is the first book to focus solely on the channel’s important building-block years, specifically from the channel’s launch to when MTV’s original group of VJs left the channel.

Comprised of over 70 all-new interviews ("Weird Al" Yankovic, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Joe Elliott, Phil Collen, Rob Halford, Stewart Copeland, Rick Springfield, Jerry Casale, Geddy Lee, Ann Wilson, Chuck D, Alan Hunter, Nina Blackwood, etc.), the book is not only an eye-opening account of the early years of MTV, but also of the music industry, important music developments/events, and the “Big ‘80s” in general.

©2011 Greg Prato Writer, Corp. (P)2020 Greg Prato Writer, Corp.

Decent book, awful performance

a lot of the same stories I've heard, but still interesting. Feels like a computer was narrating. had to speed it up to 1.5 to sound remotely normal

Reflecting on MTV's golden years

If you remember when MTV actually showed music videos, I suggest you add this book to your library. The author focuses on 1981 to 1985 and takes you back to the original concept for Music Television. The book is filled with interesting facts about the launch of the network, the VJs, the bands, and of course, the memorable music videos.

As Greg Prato points out, many established bands and artists were opposed to the making music videos. It became apparent which acts were made for TV, and which ones weren't. "Weird Al" Yankovic became the "Eat It" guy based on his successful parody of Michael Jackson's "Beat It." Toni Basil, best known for her 80's hit "Mickey," received a recording deal from doing videos.

On the flip side, MTV did little for pop star Christopher Cross, and virtually destroyed rocker Billy Squier's career. This book also reveals which female leader singer wasn't considered pretty enough to be the only female presented in a video. Whether you enjoyed MTV or not, there is no denying that it changed the scope of music.

Prato includes the initial reactions from across the spectrum relating to the launch of MTV in August 1981. The original VJs - Martha Quinn, Nina Blackwood, JJ Jackson, Alan Hunter and Mark Goodman had a very limited library of videos to air. "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles was the first video that aired on the network, and bands that almost nobody ever heard of were featured since they had videos ready to go.

"MTV Ruled the World" covers all facets of MTV in the early years. The author addresses the idea that MTV didn't air videos from black artists. I enjoyed the many comments from various artists on the best and worst videos produced at the time. The book also includes the backstories of many popular videos such as "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits and A-ha's "Take on Me."

Prato has the details on the development of VH-1, the MTV Music Awards, Kiss unmasking, and developmental of MTV News. The book is jammed packed with interesting quotes and contains tales of backstage shenanigans. "MTV Ruled the World: The Early Years of Music Video" is a fun book, and highly recommended.

Good book, terrible narrator

Good book with interesting content but would have greatly benefited from having a professional narrator.

The narrator actually belched!

I’ve been easy on most of the narrators of these books because it’s a strenuous job. But this guy is laughably bad. Seriously… the guy literally BELCHES during the chapter on “The Police” and didn’t bother to edit it out. Just awful.