I Want my MTV

The birth of a media revolution. August 1, 1981, video footage of the first Space Shuttle Launch of Columbia and it’s countdown with the added quote, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Rock and Roll”by John Lack, creator of MTV. Next the iconic Moon Man and the unforgettable music, “Man on the Moon (MTV Theme) by Jonathan Elias and John Petersen as we zoom into the MTV flag and watch the MTV logo change outfits in fun flashes of 1980s graphic art. Mark Goodman introduces us to the concept, “The best of tv combined with the best of radio” and promises that, “starting right now, you’ll never look at music the same way again” a quick break and introduction to the other original VJs, including Alan Hunter, Martha Quinn, J.J. Jackson and Nina Blackwood. What followed was the airing of the very first music video on MTV, very aptly titled, “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. What was your favorite video?

I often think about how lucky I was to grow up in the 80s and not have the kind of access kids have these days. Part of the fun was the anticipation of waiting to see your favorite video again. There was no YouTube to pull up the video on the spot and while we have grown so accustomed to the comforts of modern technology and unlimited hi-speed access to movies, shows, music videos and any media really there was something special about waiting and hoping. I’ve written and shared before about running from the bus stop to catch a favorite video once the video countdown days started. There was finally a show that pretty much promised you’d catch your favorite video within that certain hour as long as it was on the top 20 chart. Like the story I mention, it was usually a George Michael video at the top of my list but there were so many others. Among my favorites were “Take on Me” by a-ha, my dad really loved that video and song also. Pretty much any Madonna video was a favorite for me, especially Borderline, Material Girl, Vogue, La Isla Bonita, Cherish, shoot, seriously let’s just say all of them. The funky ones like Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer”, comedic ones like Cindy Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, Prince’s Raspberry Beret was so fun and colorful, I always loved that cloud suit. Of all the videos whether 80s and 90s or current none made such an impression as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. It was more than a music video it was an experience, a Hollywood movie premier. We were so invested as a family that my dad used to wake my younger brother and I up if it came on after hours. He would come get us and let us know, “hey, get up, its on!” We sprang out of bed like it was Christmas morning and run down the hall so fast to not miss too much. We watched in awe and excitement and a bit of fear. Once the video was over it was time to go back to sleep but what cruel joke is that? It was a terrifying walk back down the hall to our bedrooms. That childhood house as small as it may have been, on these nights that short hallway seemed to go forever. With each trembling step I could still hear Vincent Price and his evil laugh ringing in my ears.

About a decade after our introduction to MTV, we were introduced to what most consider the birth of reality TV, The Real World: New York. Much more programming options to find on MTV throughout the years to follow including game shows and talk shows. Many more personalities were presented after the first five mentioned above including Kurt Loder, Downtown Julie Brown, Carson Daly, La La Anthony, Kennedy and one of my favorites because I loved seeing a Cuban American girl on my favorite channel Daisy Fuentes to name a few. Sadly, MTV shut down it’s news department earlier this year. I guess it doesn’t come as much of a surprise, MTV was the pioneer but these days I find myself watching new music videos released by VEVO on YouTube. Times, media, channels change but the interest and love for videos like Jackson, Madonna George Michael is still there for me when watching the new Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo etc video, but I still think streaming instantly isn’t as emotionally exciting as the anticipation I had as a kid in the MTV glory days. Like Dire Straits said, “I want my MTV”.

George Michael-Wham!-Faith years

October 11, 1989. I was Thirteen years old when on this most special of nights, a core memory was formed. I would see the love of my life, George Michael in concert. George Michael, live and in person on stage at San Diego Sports Arena. Not only was I infatuated with this pop icon he truly was and remains for me so much more. An enormous talent of songwriting and producing with a voice that is unmatched. Kindness and generosity that has touched so many. A real life superstar and I would witness his first solo tour. That night as I excitedly got ready in a haze of Aqua Net hairspray combined with the intoxicating scent of Exclamation perfume, I fumbled through my Caboodle and wondered whether I should wear my Wet n Wild lip gloss or the Bonnie Bell Roll-On. What would be the best choice for an unforgettable night like this? High shimmer or high gloss? Flavored? Scented? I mean this night was crucial, I was feeling so grown up and so cool! That is until I got the news. The news that the guest list for tonight’s outing had just had a very last minute change.

I was a Wham! fan from the beginning. I was in love with George Michael. I mean, obsessed might be a more accurate description but far less appropriate for a hopeful music blog writer so I’ll just go ahead and stick with LOVE, I was in LOVE. See, there I go again, the all caps are just a bit juvenile but maybe I’m transporting back as I write this. The music was my absolute favorite. From Fantastic, and Make It Big, to Music from the Edge of Heaven. When the music was fast it made me happy, made me dance. When the songs were slow they made me dream of a future love and the heartache that would most likely follow.

As I fell in love with the music of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley along with their friendship that came through so strongly. Wham! was also goofy and hilarious and not afraid to show it. There were the two heartthrobs in George and Andrew but we also had the beautiful, glamorous and funny Pepsi and Shirlie to look up to as well. All this made for a perfect combination for young kids falling in love with a band and forming their own bonds as best friends. From hanging with my older cousin Corin and listening to the more mature, “Nothing Looks the Same in the Light” to dancing and being silly with my elementary and middle school besties Susanne and Bridget. We had future married lives with George and Andrew all planned out. But my biggest fan friend, Wham! partner in crime was my cousin Andrea. Andrea and I worshipped Wham! Together we choreographed dances to their songs, actually choreography is a bit of a stretch when in actuality we just motioned the lyrics as we sang and danced in front of the mirror. To be totally honest, even saying we motioned the lyrics could be a generous way of putting it because there were a few botched lyric translations, most notably in the song “Credit Card Baby”. We were acting out a muscular body builder for the line “I guess they think that I’m a lucky guy” because we thought he was singing about being a love “big guy”. We cracked up hysterically when we realized our error and it still makes us laugh every time we bring it up. We had a whole Charlie’s Angels meets Punky Brewster faux photo shoot thing we would perform in front of my huge French provincial style bedroom set mirror. This was quite impressive because we would hold fabulous poses as we made the imaginary camera clicking sounds and all the while we were holding the door closed as my little brother, Donny tried with all his might and crazy strength to get in. There were the recording sessions of sing-alongs and more hysterical moments like getting a fart caught on tape or as we still quote,  “got it on recording!”. A few years later when “Music from the Edge of Heaven” came out with noticeably  more grown up content we would sneakily listen to the lyrics on “Battlestations” with our jaws dropped, hoping Tio Hugo wouldn’t bust us but soon enough he did. This album was like a beautiful farewell to their fans and the video for “The Edge of Heaven” was a great compilation of all the best video moments. As the song title implies, I was in Heaven. This video was my most favorite televised, video recording ever. George in his most absolute glory wearing a fringed suede jacket, singing, dancing and celebrating his fabulous run with Andrew. I was in total awe every time and those were precious occasions as these were not the days of DVR and YouTube. Andrea and I watched happily as we sat on Tia Evelyn and Tio Hugo’s couch and then it happened, Tio Hugo heard the lyric, “My daddy said the devil looks a lot like you” and he walked straight over to the television set and turned it off. This was devastating, but we barely protested. We may have questioned with tears and begged a little but we didn’t really revolt because Tio was usually a fun loving and easy going Tio so if he took this stand he meant it and we better leave well enough alone. Seriously though was he not listening to the rest of the lyrics or was that the line that put him over the edge? I was over the edge, “The Edge of Heaven”. To this day, I haven’t made it back.

One year later we were graced with the release of George Michael’s first solo album, Faith. Of course I could not get enough and my room was covered in posters, pillows, t-shirts, all the Faith merch I could get my little hands on. I lived and breathed Faith. I have a memory so vivid that I can still feel myself in that moment. When the “Faith” video came out and opened up with that jukebox in black and white and the vinyl record sound of “I Want Your Sex” playing and then transitions to the organ and then to guitar strums and boot taps of the now oh so famous, “Oh I guess it would be nice…” I was hooked. I remember running home from the school bus stop to make sure I would catch the “Faith” video on MTV’s Top 20 Video Countdown show. Once the video started slipping its way down the chart, for each slot it dropped I had to speed up my running pace to get home in time. I was desperate not to miss it and I can still feel my backpack hitting me as it violently crashed back and forth from left to right on my back as I ran down the very steep hill at full speed. On one of these days as I watched George strut his stuff in his infamous blue jeans my little brother randomly decided to walk up to the TV set and turn it off. What the heck? Had he been commiserating with Tio Hugo or something? Well, Donny wasn’t going to get the go down quietly kind of reaction from me. I'll spare you the details this time but I’m sure you’ll learn all about our WWF style encounters some day. 

The days of Faith were now in the Bridget chapter of fan friendship. Andrea was really into New Kids on the Block at this point and I really didn’t have too much time for that. When I got the most amazing news ever that my mom was buying me tickets to the Faith tour for my birthday I flipped! The tickets went on sale around my birthday and the concert itself would be held on October 11, just three days after Bridget’s birthday so she was the obvious choice for a concert partner. The age gap of three years suddenly seemed to be widening and Andrea was probably going to bring the cool factor down if she tagged along. She had started copying all my style choices lately and it was getting really annoying. I mean, it wasn’t exactly her fault when it came to the hand me downs, that was between our moms. I definitely wasn’t holding that against her but the other stuff was too much, when she picked the exact same Swatch watch I already had, well that was the final straw. I needed to go with my older, cooler school friend. My mom bought four tickets and said that two were for me and Bridget and the other two were for my older cousin Corin and whoever she wanted to bring. Corin had a license and would be chauffeur and chaperone all in one and so she should at least get to have a friend along for the night. That was all the more exciting! Bridget and I would be hanging out with two high school girls at a big concert for our favorite singer ever! My mom took me to Tia Evelyn and Tio Hugo’s house to drop me off with my cousin Corin. My heart raced with anticipation and excitement but with the announcement of a change in plans that heart of mine quickly sank. I was possibly still lightheaded from all the questionable fumes from the cosmetics chaos mere moments earlier but I swear my knees started to buckle as it was explained. Corin’s friend, Rachel was sick and unable to join us and it had been decided that Andrea would be going in her place. What happened next was like a scene straight out of a movie. Andrea came down the stairs with the biggest, silliest grin, her shiny bob bouncing with excitement that filled the room. And wait for it, I had planned my outfit very carefully, attempting to somehow match George Michael’s suspender look in his video for “Monkey”. However, in front of me stood Andrea in what she had decided was her best look for the night. It was a skirt and matching tank top with scenes of cartoon dinosaurs having fun outings of all kinds repeating randomly all over the outfit. Again, I repeat, Cartoon Dinosaurs all over. Dinos at the gas station, Dinos at the drive up diner, Dinos everywhere. How was I going to keep my cool image tonight with a baby dino cousin tagging along? You haven’t forgotten, I was going for “cool” and this new addition to the night’s squad was definitely going to cramp my style. Thankfully the music that we all loved and shared erased any silly ideas of needing to be cool. I’m sure once I stepped in there and realized how much of a baby I still was as well it all vanished and I know for sure I sang my heart out with George, Bridget, Corin and of course my ride or die George bestie, Andrea, that night. I still remember him dancing all night and running back and forth and all his energy and love he gave back to us. 

This isn’t the last George story and there’s plenty more with my fellow fan club member cousins and besties but I can’t end without saying that the little Dino dress wearing kid who used to copy me from toys to watches is now the woman I would copy most if I could when it comes to fashion, she is the most fashionable person I know. Hers is the closet I raid if I’m ever in desperate need of a last minute wardrobe rescue. She’s the one who gives me the amazing hand me downs these days and her daughter to mine and she’s still the one that shares the couch with me most often on a George Michael video watching and sing-along session. I still hold the card for biggest George fan though. After her NKOTB phase she moved on to N’SYNC and then Justin Timberlake so….

 Stay tuned for more chapters to our adventures with George, much much more where that came from.