On This Day: August 1, 1981 — MTV Launched and Changed Music Forever
Quick Answer: MTV (Music Television) launched at 12:01 a.m. on August 1, 1981, opening with footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing and the words “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll.” The first music video played was “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles — a deliberate choice that was equal parts ironic and…