Bootleg Betty
1984 MTV Video Music Awards (Complete Show)
Sept 12, 2023
1984 MTV Video Music Awards (Complete Show)
The first MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) was a groundbreaking event that celebrated the best in the music video medium. The ceremony took place on September 14, 1984, at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City, and was hosted by Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler1 The show featured performances by Rod Stewart, Madonna, Huey Lewis, and the News, David Bowie, Tina Turner, ZZ Top, and Ray Parker Jr2
The main award of the night, Video of the Year, went to The Cars for their quirky and innovative video “You Might Think”, which used computer-generated imagery and special effects3 The video beat out other nominees such as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, Herbie Hancock’s “Rockit”, and The Police’s “Every Breath You Take”4 However, Herbie Hancock was the most-awarded artist of the night, winning five awards for his groundbreaking video “Rockit”, which featured robot-like dancers and a turntable1
One of the most memorable moments of the show was Madonna’s performance of “Like a Virgin”, which has been described as one of the most “unforgettable” and “iconic” moments in pop culture and VMA history. Madonna emerged from a 17-foot tall wedding cake wearing a see-through wedding dress and bustier, with a silver belt buckle that read “BOY TOY”. She then rolled around on the floor, revealing lace stockings and a garter, while singing her hit song2 The performance shocked and enthralled the audience, and established Madonna as a pop star and a cultural icon.
