VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV's First Wave
Category: Books,History,Americas
VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV's First Wave Details
Review “Nirvana for pop culture fans…a totally tubular testament to the excess of the ‘80s.” Source: Associated Press"Delicious...A slice of nostalgia from the people who were there, and wading through those pages is like going home again." Source: Huffington Post"[A] highly entertaining snapshot of a wild-frontier moment in pop culture." Source: Rolling Stone“This is an essential read for anyone who was there or for those who missed it when MTV really meant Music TeleVision. These 5 VJ's were thrown into a completely new format and made it work beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. Mine included.” Author: Rick Springfield“At last--the real inside story of the MTV explosion that rocked the world, in all its giddy excess, from the video pioneers who saw all the hair, drugs and guitars up close. VJ is the wild, hilarious, addictive tale of how one crazy moment changed pop culture forever.” Author: Rob Sheffield Source: New York Times bestselling author of Talking to Girls About Duran Duran“Dishy, hilarious, wild, and poignant.” Source: CBS News“In this wry, engaging oral history, the original veejays recount with bemusement—and occasional horror—their meteoric rise during MTV's heady first years. The first chapter commences with a big-haired, big-mouthed David Lee Roth— and from there the rollicking pace never lets up.” Author: Jancee Dunn Source: co-author of New York Times bestseller Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir“There was no such job as a 'VJ' when this unlikely crew was chosen to serve as our hosts at a revolution. Their story is a revealing inside look at the highs, lows, and hairstyles that defined a generation.” Author: Alan Light Source: author of The Holy or the Broken“VJ is a near textbook on ingenuity, luck, perseverance, fame, and the adjustment to life post-fame. There are also at least fifteen paragraphs that made me think, "I can't believe they're actually revealing this!" Author: Richard Marx“For latchkey kids of my generation, the original MTV VJs were the best babysitters we ever had. When our parents weren't looking, they gave us secret glimpses into a better, sexier world. They were the coolest people, on the coolest TV station, with the coolest jobs on the planet. This is their story.” Author: Michael Ian Black Source: New York Times bestselling author of You’re Not Doing it Right Read more 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. Read more See all Editorial Reviews
Reviews
I was as glued to MTV in the early 80' as most of my teenage cohorts. Every day before school I watched the morning lineup of vids before reluctantly taking the bus. Then I rushed home for the afternoon gig and stayed up too late watching the newest music and not caring that I'd seen all the same stuff the day before. Because not only were the tunes and visuals intriguing to my young mind, but the VJ's who travelled with me through the journey, were like great distant friends who cared about the new medium as I did. It was a restless crazy time, full of color and fun times. I could NOT get enough! This book was so insightful and interesting.I adored J.J., and I thought Martha was as adorable and excited as I was about life and videos. Nina was the "cool chick" who seemed a little too straight for the role, but sweet non the less. There was Mark who's pompous attitude always rubbed me the wrong way, but hey, he was part of the unique group of friends. And of course Alan. He was both hilarious and surfer cute, leaving us girls (and some boys) giggling endlessly and thinking he was so down to earth.I miss those youthful days so full of promise and discovery. I was devastated to learn of J.J.'s death back in the day. It hurt as if I'd known him personally. Because those VJ's really were our proverbial friends, even if they weren't aware of it. They got me through the angst that is growing up.MTV was cool. Not anymore. It's a pointless piece of corporate trash on the air, so like everything else offered up on the tube these days. I was astonished to learn how crappy the Vjs were treated at times and how absolutely unappreciated they were. Pity.I'm glad to see that my old pals from the original station have grown into interesting adults who have fond memories and friendships that will last a lifetime, even if MTV didn't.
