VJ - Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter & Martha Quinn

VJ

By Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter & Martha Quinn

  • Release Date: 2013-05-07
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4
4
From 187 Ratings

Description

In this “highly entertaining snapshot of a wild-frontier moment in pop culture” (Rolling Stone), discover the wild and explosive true story of the early years of MTV directly from the original VJs.

Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn (along with the late J. J. Jackson) had front-row seats to a cultural revolution—and the hijinks of pop music icons like Adam Ant, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Duran Duran—as the first VJs on the fledgling network MTV. From partying with David Lee Roth to flying on Bob Dylan’s private jet, they were on a breakneck journey through a music revolution.

Boing beyond the compelling behind the scenes tales of this unforgettable era, VJ is also a coming-of-age story about the 1980s, its excesses, controversies, and everything in between. “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” (Rob Sheffield, New York Times bestselling author).

Reviews

  • VJ The first wave of MTV

    5
    By Jrneynut
    Great book!Interesting on how they got their start and some of their stories are endearing.Also takes you back to the good ole days of MTV.Condolences to J.J's Family,friends and fellow VJs.Want to say this,as a viewer of The MTV early years.I think the VJs were equally important as the channel was.Without that personal connection,not sure it would have had the same special impact...Just my opinion .
  • Bring back the 80's

    5
    By wifewantedagt
    Really enjoyed this book. Brought back tons of memories, things like rushing home from school to watch the REAL MTV, not the junk that's on there now.
  • VJ

    5
    By Bish314
    A great look at the highs and lows of the beginnings of MTV. A must read for those of us who lived those days. Open and honest and a fun read.
  • Fun time in music

    2
    By ratg63
    The early 80s were a fun time in music. I was in college then. We would take a "study break" and go to the lounge in the dorm where MTV would be on. We would stay and watch some videos. I don't really remember caring about the VJs much, though. I saw that this book was coming out and decided to read it. There is some fun stuff in it....but not enough about behind the scenes MTV. I know it's titled "VJ" but did anyone really care about these people? Also, I am not liberal or conservative, but does it really matter what these people's political views are? Blah blah blah. We just want to know more about my MTV!!!
  • What A Waste of Money

    1
    By Ike'sFriend
    This book was the most vapid, self centered thing I've read in a long time. They told you nothing and Mark Goodman told you everything.. But who cares? Don't bother. Read the other book about MTV. This was TERRIBLE.
  • The Glorious 80s

    5
    By pabdrums
    Absolutely essential reading for anyone who couldn't get enough of MTV back in the day. This book tells you what the vj's thought initially of each other and some of the heavy rotation artists they promoted. So much behind the scenes detail. And the pictures at the end are priceless. RIP J.J. and my original music channel.
  • Not overly exciting..

    3
    By Cabodoug
    Compared to other bios from the era, these anecdotes are pretty tame. Either the VJ's are not that great of story-tellers, or the stories are not that great to tell. I'm not sure what I expected, but I feel like there was so much more that could have been shared by the VJ's... Events like Live Aid, the US Festival, and VMA's deserved more than a few weak pages... Those were monumental events that defined the era, and were filled with legendary musicians. I hoped that they would have had a bigger effect on the lives of those that were in the heart of these events, and that they would have shared more about it.
  • Awesome

    5
    By Hdkfjsuxnd
    Loved the book best book I ever read I love 80's on 8 and my favorite is mark Nina or Martha
  • MTV Generation

    5
    By Frehley7
    As someone who spent my early teens watching the early MTV non-stop, I enjoyed reading about what was going on behind the scenes. I found the book to be honest, light and fun...until the end. It became sad, and a reminder that we often miss what truly matters in life.
  • Good book!

    4
    By Fightinirish44
    It was very interesting hearing their side of the events surrounding the beginning of MTV. The days when there were actual music and videos on the station. A must read for fans of 80's music!