1980s MTV Era

Name:

Date:

Instructions: I want my MTV! How well do you remember the music videos, VJs, and artists that defined the MTV generation?

1.
What was the first music video played on MTV when it launched on August 1, 1981?
A
Take On Me by a-ha
B
Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles
C
Thriller by Michael Jackson
D
Money for Nothing by Dire Straits
2.
Which of these was NOT one of MTV's original VJs?
A
Martha Quinn
B
Nina Blackwood
C
Mark Goodman
D
Downtown Julie Brown
3.
Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' music video was directed by which filmmaker?
A
Brian De Palma
B
John Landis
C
Martin Scorsese
D
Steven Spielberg
4.
Which Dire Straits song featured the lyrics 'I want my MTV'?
A
Money for Nothing
B
Brothers in Arms
C
Walk of Life
D
Sultans of Swing
5.
What innovative a-ha music video combined live action with pencil-sketch animation?
A
Hunting High and Low
B
Cry Wolf
C
Take On Me
D
The Sun Always Shines on T.V.
6.
Which Madonna video caused controversy and was temporarily banned by MTV in 1989?
A
Papa Don't Preach
B
Like a Prayer
C
Material Girl
D
Open Your Heart
7.
What was the name of MTV's annual music awards show, first held in 1984?
A
The MTV Awards
B
MTV Music Awards
C
MTV Video Honors
D
Video Music Awards
8.
Which artist famously performed 'Like a Virgin' at the first VMAs in 1984?
A
Tina Turner
B
Madonna
C
Cyndi Lauper
D
Pat Benatar
9.
Peter Gabriel's 'Sledgehammer' video won a record number of VMAs. What technique was featured?
A
Underwater filming
B
Claymation and stop-motion
C
Black-and-white film noir
D
Computer animation
10.
Which MTV show featured celebrities and musicians answering trivia in a game show format?
A
Remote Control
B
Headbangers Ball
C
Yo! MTV Raps
D
120 Minutes
11.
Which British band's video for 'Girls on Film' was considered too racy for MTV?
A
Duran Duran
B
The Cure
C
Spandau Ballet
D
Depeche Mode
12.
What was the name of the MTV show dedicated to heavy metal music videos?
A
Metal Mania
B
Heavy Rotation
C
Headbangers Ball
D
Metalurgy
13.
Which artist's 'Billie Jean' video helped break MTV's reluctance to play Black artists?
A
Lionel Richie
B
Michael Jackson
C
Prince
D
Whitney Houston
14.
Cyndi Lauper's video for which song showcased her colorful, fun personality?
A
True Colors
B
She Bop
C
Time After Time
D
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
15.
What was MTV's famous slogan in the 1980s?
A
Music First
B
All Music, All the Time
C
I Want My MTV
D
The Music Channel

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