Can You Believe the MTV VMAs Are 40 Years Old? Here's What the Very First Show Looked Like

Mar. 15, 2025

Singer Cindi Lauper reacting after receiving the MTV Award at the Radio City Music Hall in New York, September 14, 1984.

AP Photo/G Paul Burnett

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Double Dose

Hosts Dan Aykroyd and Bette Middler at the first annual MTV Video Music Awards. September 14, 1984.

02of 17Belle of the BallMadonna in 1984.Sonia Moskowitz/GettyMadonnawas a vision of ’80s excess in her signature lingerie-inspired look and tons of beads.

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Belle of the Ball

Madonna in 1984.Sonia Moskowitz/Getty

American singer Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards, Radio City Music Hall, New York, September 14th, 1984.

Sonia Moskowitz/Getty

Madonnawas a vision of ’80s excess in her signature lingerie-inspired look and tons of beads.

03of 17Blond AmbitionBilly Idol in 1984.Ebet Roberts/RedfernsUp for five awards,Billy Idolrivaled Madonna for most jewelry worn to an awards show.

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Blond Ambition

Billy Idol in 1984.Ebet Roberts/Redferns

Billy Idol at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on September 14, 1984.

Ebet Roberts/Redferns

Up for five awards,Billy Idolrivaled Madonna for most jewelry worn to an awards show.

04of 17Queen of PopTina Turner in 1984.Ebet Roberts/Redferns/GettyMusic iconTina Turnerperformed her 1984 hit “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”

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Queen of Pop

Tina Turner in 1984.Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty

American singer Tina Turner at the MTV Video Awards, Radio City Music Hall, New York, September 14th 1984.

Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty

Music iconTina Turnerperformed her 1984 hit “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”

05of 17Over the MoonCyndi Lauper in 1984.AP Photo/G Paul BurnettWith nine nods,Cyndi Lauperwas the most nominated artist at the 1984 VMAs, taking home one award for the video for her hit “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

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Over the Moon

Cyndi Lauper in 1984.AP Photo/G Paul Burnett

Singer Cyndi Lauper reacting after receiving the MTV Award at the Radio City Music Hall in New York, September 14, 1984.

With nine nods,Cyndi Lauperwas the most nominated artist at the 1984 VMAs, taking home one award for the video for her hit “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

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Winners Circle

Quincy Jones in 1984.MPIRock/ MediaPunch via Getty

Quincy Jones attends the 1984 MTV Awards in New York City

MPIRock/ MediaPunch via Getty

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Virgin Territory

Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards, 1984

Courtest Everett

08of 17Party GirlDale Bozzio in 1984.Debra Trebitz/Corbis/VCG via GettyMissing Persons lead singerDale Bozziosparkled at the 1984 VMAs.

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Party Girl

Dale Bozzio in 1984.Debra Trebitz/Corbis/VCG via Getty

Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons at MTV Music Awards

Debra Trebitz/Corbis/VCG via Getty

Missing Persons lead singerDale Bozziosparkled at the 1984 VMAs.

09of 17Doin' It AllHuey Lewis in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettySingerHuey Lewisand his band Huey Lewis and the News were nominated for two awards and also performed their song “I Want a New Drug.”

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Doin' It All

Huey Lewis in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Musician Huey Lewis attends First Annual MTV Video Music Awards on September 14, 1984 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

SingerHuey Lewisand his band Huey Lewis and the News were nominated for two awards and also performed their song “I Want a New Drug.”

10of 17Funny GuysEddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo in 1984.AP PhotoComediansEddie Murphyand Joe Piscopo presented the night’s biggest award, Video of the Year, to The Cars for their clip for “You Might Think.”

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Funny Guys

Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo in 1984.AP Photo

Eddie Murphy with Joe Piscopo clown around at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York on Sept. 14, 1984.

AP Photo

ComediansEddie Murphyand Joe Piscopo presented the night’s biggest award, Video of the Year, to The Cars for their clip for “You Might Think.”

11of 17If Looks Could ThrillRichard Belzer in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyThe party continued at the VMAs afterparty at Tavern on the Green in New York City’s Central Park, where actorRichard Belzerwas on the guest list.

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If Looks Could Thrill

Richard Belzer in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

1984 MTV Video Music Awards - After Party at Tavern on the Green, Richard Belzer

The party continued at the VMAs afterparty at Tavern on the Green in New York City’s Central Park, where actorRichard Belzerwas on the guest list.

12of 17Top ThreeDiana Ross (center) and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyDiana Rossfound herself in a beard sandwich with ZZ Top’sBilly GibbonsandDusty Hillat the Tavern on the Green afterparty.

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Top Three

Diana Ross (center) and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Diana Ross and Z. Z. Top during 1984 MTV Video Music Awards - After Party at Tavern on the Green at Tavern on the Green in New York City, New York, United States.

Diana Rossfound herself in a beard sandwich with ZZ Top’sBilly GibbonsandDusty Hillat the Tavern on the Green afterparty.

13of 17Hard RockAlice Cooper and Sheryl Cooper in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyThe 1984 VMAs were so big, they needed two afterparties! Here, shock rockerAlice Cooperand wife Sheryl arrived at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City.

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Hard Rock

Alice Cooper and Sheryl Cooper in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Alice Cooper and Sheryl Cooper during 1984 MTV Video Music Awards - After Party at Hard Rock Cafe at Hard Rock Cafe in New York City, New York, United States.

The 1984 VMAs were so big, they needed two afterparties! Here, shock rockerAlice Cooperand wife Sheryl arrived at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City.

14of 17Multi-PlatinumCher in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyChersported a cropped blonde ‘do to the VMAs afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe.

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Multi-Platinum

Cher in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Singer/Actress Cher attends the First Annual MTV Video Music Awards After Party Hosted by Dan Aykroyd on September 14, 1984 at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City.

Chersported a cropped blonde ‘do to the VMAs afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe.

15of 17All Eyes on YouValerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyValerie Bertinelliand then-husbandEddie Van Halencelebrated his band’s win for Best Stage Performance in a Video.

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All Eyes on You

Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

1984 MTV Video Music Awards - After Party at Hard Rock Cafe, Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen

Valerie Bertinelliand then-husbandEddie Van Halencelebrated his band’s win for Best Stage Performance in a Video.

16of 17Wild BunchRobert Downey Jr., Anthony Michael Hall, David Lee Roth and Sonia Braga in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyRobert Downey Jr.,Anthony Michael Hall, Van Halen frontmanDavid Lee Rothand Sonia Braga arrived to the Hard Rock Cafe afterparty in style.

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Wild Bunch

Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Michael Hall, David Lee Roth and Sonia Braga in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Michael Hall, David Lee Roth, and Sonia Braga at the First Annual MTV Video Music Awards After Party Hosted by Dan Aykroyd on September 14, 1984 at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City

Robert Downey Jr.,Anthony Michael Hall, Van Halen frontmanDavid Lee Rothand Sonia Braga arrived to the Hard Rock Cafe afterparty in style.

17of 17Famous FacesNick Rhodes and Julie Anne Friedman in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyDuran Duran’s Nick Rhodes and then-wife Julie Anne Friedman posed for a pic at the afterparty. Rhodes’s band was up for two awards at the VMAs, and he and bandmateSimon Le Bonpresented the Moon Person for Best Female Video to Cyndi Lauper.

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Famous Faces

Nick Rhodes and Julie Anne Friedman in 1984.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Musician Nick Rhodes and wife Julie Anne Friedman attend the First Annual MTV Video Music Awards - After Party on September 14, 1984 at Hard Rock Cafe in New York City.

Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes and then-wife Julie Anne Friedman posed for a pic at the afterparty. Rhodes’s band was up for two awards at the VMAs, and he and bandmateSimon Le Bonpresented the Moon Person for Best Female Video to Cyndi Lauper.

source: people.com