Nina Blackwood needs no introduction. From 1981 to 1986, Blackwood and the late J.J. Jackson, Martha Quinn, Alan Hunter, and Mark Goodman, the original MTV VJs, changed how a generation consumed music.
I caught up with Blackwood to discuss the early days of MTV, the continued popularity of 80s music, and whether “Video Killed The Radio Star?
So, what was the vibe at the start of MTV?
“Well, first off, when I got the job, I was living in LA. And the whole thing was I had to move to New York, which I didn’t expect. I had just moved to LA. I had only lived there for a couple of years. And so here I was, moving to New York. I remember my agent saying what is this? Cable was in its infancy. A lot of my friends were saying, oh, she just went to some cable show in New York.”
To say MTV broke the mold would be a misstatement because it was pioneering, and there was no mold to break.
“Because there was nothing that MTV could look at to copy or emulate. It was breaking new ground. And I think all my fellow VJs will agree that the early years at the beginning were the best part for us,” Blackwood said.
“It was like a free-for-all; the crew would be on camera. It was just so much fun, but it was really long, long hours because we were experimenting. I was always the first one up, which was good because I was a morning person. J.J. was the opposite, so he was always the last one to get in.”
As the channel grew, things got a little more serious.
“When we moved to the second studio on 57th, it got more serious, and unfortunately, we had to leave most of our crew. The reins were pulled in a little bit more, and we weren’t even in New York yet.”
Since it was still in the early stages of cable, MTV wasn’t initially on everywhere, including in New York. Leading the memorable campaigns like “I Want My MTV.”
“Like I said, we weren’t in New York yet, and all of us would be sent around to different places in the country, and a lot of times, it was to the owner-operators of the cable channels or the cable companies to have them pick up MTV. You probably remember that whole promotional thing, “I Want My MTV,” with Mick Jagger and Pete Townshend. And so, we were kind of sent out as little salespeople.”
“Then also, personal appearances at record stores, and that kind of thing. And I remember going to San Antonio, and I was with our minder; we would each have a minder. And we’re in the limousine, going to this shopping center, and there’s a line all around it, all these people. And I said to the driver, I said, who’s here? And he said, you.”
When MTV hit the New York cable systems, it took it all up a notch.
“When it hit New York, we were basically at the epicenter of everything. I mean, going to shows, everything we had basically carte blanche. We were getting invited to everything, seeing all the concerts everywhere. And I have two fun little stories of when it hit New York.”
“One was, I was out on 6th Avenue and walking. And a fire truck goes by with all these firemen, and they’re going, hey, Nina, yo, yo, which was really fun. Then another time, I was on 6th Avenue, and I was trying to flag a cab, and this cop car pulls over, and I’m going, oh, no. What did they think? I’m like a hooker or something? And they go, hey, Nina, where are you going? And I’m like a doctor’s appointment. They said hop in. They gave me a ride, and I’m slinking down in the backseat. I hope nobody sees me. I mean, now, with everybody and their cameras, forget it.”
I suggested that might have landed her on Page Six today.
“Thank God it wasn’t like that then because my temperament would not have been able to handle that. I would’ve had a nervous breakdown with all that scrutiny.”
“So, all in all, it was just great. It was just an amazing time. And my fellow VJs, God bless JJ, who’s not with us, but we’re still a family.”
I asked Blackwood why she thinks 80s music from the MTV era is still so popular.
“I think there are two reasons. And I have to say, a lot of it had to do with the videos because people grew up watching MTV. Some people said MTV was their babysitter. Since it was so innovative, it holds a very precious part in people’s memories. You know, it’s a good time. Plus, the music, for the most part, was very positive.”
“The mainstream of 80s music is very positive. And then when you get into the 90s, I’m not saying that one is better than the other, but the 90s is almost the opposite of what the 80s were about. As far as music, it has a much more positive sound and good memories.”
Getting into a bit of gossip, there has long been a rumor that John Waite’s 1984 hit song, “Missing You,” was written with Blackwood in mind. So?
“John and I were friends. We were good friends and got along, and I remember him calling me from the studio, the recording studio, called me at home and said, you know, I want you to hear this song that I was thinking about you when I wrote.”
“We met at somebody’s apartment in this high rise, and he played the song and said, I was thinking about you and my wife when I wrote this song. I was very touched. It’s a great song.”
So, did “Video Kill The Radio Star?”
“No, it did not. I think it (video) enhanced the radio star. Yes, in one way, it ruined imaginations. Before, you just heard a song on the radio, and you thought what you wanted about the song. And even when you’d see the artist perform it on the “Midnight Special” or “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert,” you still had your own idea and interpretation of the song. What video did is it kind of told you what to think about the song.”
“Some of the videos were bad. But I think it expanded playlists. Kids in Iowa, where you grew up, radio stations weren’t playing Duran Duran until the videos came on. And then the kids are going to the record stores saying ‘I want Duran Duran. Do you have Duran Duran?’ So, radio had to follow suit because of what was happening. So no, I definitely don’t think it did. I think corporations killed the radio star.
Blackwood has been on SiriusXM for 20 years and can be heard on “The Big ’80s Top 40 Countdown” and “New Wave Nation” on SiriusXM’s “80s on 8” channel. Three syndicated radio shows, “Absolutely 80s,” “Absolutely 80s – Spotlights,” and “New Wave Nation,” all available through United States Radio Networks.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Jeff Lynn serves as Editor of Barrett Media’s Music Radio coverage. Prior to joining Barrett Media, Jeff spent time programming in Milwaukee, Omaha, Cleveland, Des Moines, and Madison for multiple radio groups, including iHeartMedia, Townsquare Media, NRG Media, and Entercom (now Audacy). He also worked as a Country Format Editor for All Access until the outlet shut down in August 2023.
To get in touch with Jeff by email, reach him at Jeff@BarrettMedia.com.
