Music Video Pioneers

Many of today's great music videos are influenced from the past. Check out these artists who paved the way for creative and innovative videos!

Music Videos - Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles

When MTV launched on August 1, 1981, the first music video they played was Video Killed the Radio Star. It was also the millionth video to air on February 27, 2000.

Music Videos - Thriller by Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson revolutionized the concept of music videos in 1983 with the release of Thriller, a 14-minute long mini-movie where he transforms into a zombie and a werewolf, and dances with lots of other ugly zombies! The video spawned outfits and dance steps that are popular to this day.

Music Videos - Take On Me by A-Ha

Take On Me was the most innovative music video of the '80s - who would've thought of mixing real actors with comic-sketch drawings? The animated video features a girl in a cafe who steps into a comic book and falls in love with the cartoon hero! Unfortunately, A-Ha was just a one-hit wonder, but their video still lives on in our minds.

Music Videos - Buddy Holly by Weezer

This music video spliced the four members of Weezer into old footage from the '70s sitcom, Happy Days. As the band performs at Arnold's Diner, you'll catch Richie and Joanie bopping their heads to the music and Fonzie dancing! The video pushed Weezer into the mainstream spotlight, and made the single, Buddy Holly, a hit and Weezer (The Blue Album) a multi-platinum seller.

Music Videos - Scream by Michael Jackson feat. Janet Jackson

In 1994 TLC released Waterfalls, the most expensive video of the time with a price tag of $1 million. But it was quickly surpassed by Michael Jackson's $7 million music video Scream, featuring sister Janet Jackson. Shot over 11 days, the siblings spent more than $600,000 per day on the video, which included make-up for Janet ($8,000) and Jacko ($3,000) - you'd think his make-up would've cost a whole lot more than hers!

Pioneers of Music Videos - Fell in Love With a Girl by The White Stripes

The White Stripes' video for Fell in Love With a Girl comes to life with... LEGO! From rock stars to "block" stars, this super cool video features Jack and Meg swimming, running, riding bikes and playing instruments. It won MTV's Best Breakthrough Video in 2002.

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