VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV's First Wave

(Paperback)

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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 revolutionand the hijinks of pop music icons like Adam Ant, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Duran Duranas the first VJs on the fledgling network MTV. From partying with David Lee Roth to flying on Bob Dylans 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 lastthe 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

Nirvana for pop culture fansa totally tubular testament to the excess of the 80s. * Associated Press *
"Delicious...A slice of nostalgia from the people who were there, and wading through those pages is like going home again." * Huffington Post *
"[A] highly entertaining snapshot of a wild-frontier moment in pop culture." * Rolling Stone *
This is an essential read for anyone who was there or for those who missed it when MTV really meant Music TeleVision. These 5 VJ's were thrown into a completely new format and made it work beyond anyones wildest dreams. Mine included. -- Rick Springfield
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 of Talking to Girls About Duran Duran *
Dishy, hilarious, wild, and poignant. * CBS News *
In this wry, engaging oral history, the original veejays recount with bemusementand occasional horrortheir meteoric rise during MTV's heady first years. The first chapter commences with a big-haired, big-mouthed David Lee Roth and from there the rollicking pace never lets up. -- Jancee Dunn * co-author of New York Times bestseller Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir *
There was no such job as a 'VJ' when this unlikely crew was chosen to serve as our hosts at a revolution. Their story is a revealing inside look at the highs, lows, and hairstyles that defined a generation. -- Alan Light * author of The Holy or the Broken *
VJ is a near textbook on ingenuity, luck, perseverance, fame, and the adjustment to life post-fame. There are also at least fifteen paragraphs that made me think, "I can't believe they're actually revealing this!" -- Richard Marx
For latchkey kids of my generation, the original MTV VJs were the best babysitters we ever had. When our parents weren't looking, they gave us secret glimpses into a better, sexier world. They were the coolest people, on the coolest TV station, with the coolest jobs on the planet. This is their story. -- Michael Ian Black * New York Times bestselling author of Youre Not Doing it Right *
MTV hit the airwaves during the golden age of album rock radio and massive rock touring, and took it all to another level. VJ is a fun and informative ride, told through the eyes of the five people who experienced the MTV phenomenon from the most intimate perspective possible. -- Kevin Cronin * REO Speedwagon *
Crazy days and nights in a different time--Nina, Mark, Alan and Martha will bring it all to life for you. This book is a joyride! -- Jane Wiedlen * The Go-Go's *

Author Bio

Nina Blackwoodwas one of the first MTV VJs and is a radio host on SiriusXM Satellite Radios Big 80s channel and host of two radio shows nationally syndicated by the United Stations Radio Networks, Absolutely80s and New Wave Nation.

Mark Goodman was one ofthe first MTV VJs and is a radio host on SiriusXM Satellite Radios Big 80s channel.

Alan Hunter was one ofthe first MTV VJs and is a radio host on SiriusXM Satellite Radios Big 80s channel.

Martha Quinn was one ofthe first MTV VJs and is a radio host on SiriusXM Satellite Radios Big 80s channel.

Gavin Edwards is the author of five books on music. A contributing editor at Rolling Stone, he has written for The New York Times Magazine, Details, and Wired.