The pop culture juggernaut began 40 years ago on MTV. On Sept. 14, 1984, Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler hosted the first MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, featuring a lineup of the decade's biggest pop singers.
Madonna and Tina Turner performed, Eddie Murphy, Joe Piscopo, and Nick Rhodes presented, while Cyndi Lauper and ZZ Top received Moon Person statuettes.
Look back to the show's 1984 roots as Megan Thee Stallion hosts the 40th annual MTV Video Music Awards at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on Sept. 11. Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Camila Cabello, Eminem, and more will perform.
Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler hosted the first MTV VMAs, which were so outrageous they needed two.
In her lingerie-inspired outfit and loads of beads, Madonna embodied '80s extravagance.
Billy Idol, up for five prizes, rivaled Madonna in awards show jewels. Tina Turner sang "What's Love Got to Do with It."
In 1984, Cyndi Lauper was the most nominated artist with nine nominations and one win for her video for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."
Music legend Quincy Jones received MTV's inaugural "Special Recognition Award." Madonna's controversial "Like a Virgin" performance at the VMAs was the first of many famous performances.