RIP MTV: 26 Iconic Moments We’ll Never Forget

Billy Squier At MTV — View of American Rock musician Billy Squier sits on a low stage in front of a Christmas tree during an interview on MTV at Teletronic Studios, New York, New York, December 22, 1981. (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)

MTV launched in 1981 with a simple but revolutionary idea: play music videos all day, every day. Its first broadcast, “Video Killed the Radio Star,” turned out to be more than clever symbolism. For rock fans, MTV became a front-row seat to the biggest bands on the planet, changing how audiences connected with artists and how rock stars presented themselves. It wasn’t just about the music anymore — it was the look, the swagger and the attitude that made classic rock icons even larger than life.

For rock music, MTV was a megaphone. Bands like Van Halen, Def Leppard, Journey and Aerosmith found a new way to reach fans, while videos helped turn guitar heroes into household names. Power ballads hit harder, riffs felt bigger and image became part of the sound. MTV helped define an era when rock ruled pop culture and every new video felt like an event.

Today, that shared experience is mostly gone. YouTube, TikTok and streaming have replaced the moment when everyone watched the same video at the same time. MTV’s fade marks the end of a golden age — when rock fans discovered music together, one unforgettable video at a time.

Let’s look back at 26 moments, shows and controversies we’ll never forget.

Aug. 1, 1981: MTV’s Debut

December 1981: Billy Squier sings ‘Christmas is the Time to Say “I Love You”‘ with MTV VJs & Staff

January 1983: David Bowie Calls Out MTV’s Lack of Diversity on MTV

March 10, 1983: ‘Billie Jean’ Becomes the First Video By a Black Artist to Get Mainstream Rotation on MTV

Sept. 18, 1983: KISS “Unmasked” on MTV

Sept. 14, 1984: Madonna’s Controversial Performance of ‘Like a Virgin’ at 1984 MTV VMAs

Jan. 1, 1985: VH1 Launches

June 1985: Dire Straits Make History with ‘Money for Nothing’ Computer-Animated Video

July 13, 1985: Live Aid Broadcast

July 1986: ‘Walk This Way’ Revives Aerosmith, Brings Run-D.M.C. & Rap-Rock into the Mainstream

April 18, 1987: Motörhead Helps Launch ‘Headbangers Ball’

August 1989: MTV Broadcasts Moscow Music Peace Festival

Sept. 6, 1989: Jon Bon Jovi Lays the Foundation for ‘MTV Unplugged’ at VMAs

Sept. 6, 1989: Steve Clark’s Final Live Performance with Def Leppard

October 1991: Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ Premiers on ‘120 Minutes’

May 21, 1992: MTV Launches ‘The Real World’

Sept. 9, 1992: Dave Grohl Jumps in on Kurt Cobain-Axl Rose Beef at VMAs

Sept. 9, 1992: Howard Stern Appears as Fartman at VMAs

March 8, 1993: ‘Beavis and Butt-Head‘ Debuts

Nov. 18, 1993: Nirvana’s ‘MTV Unplugged in New York’

Oct. 12, 1994: ‘No Quarter: Jimmy Page & Robert Plant Unledded’

Sept. 7, 1995: Slash Performs with Michael Jackson at VMAs

Sept. 4, 1996: Classic KISS Lineup Reunites Under Brooklyn Bridge

Sept. 4, 1996: Van Halen’s Awkward Reunion with David Lee Roth at VMAs

Aug. 29, 2002: Guns N’ Roses Debuts New Lineup with Chaotic Performance at VMAs

March 5, 2002: MTV Launches ‘The Osbournes’

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