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CHAPTER 11 1980–1990, I Want My MTV
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CHAPTER 11: I Want My MTV
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What was the first video to air on MTV?
a. “Thriller” c. “Like a Virgin”
b. “Video Killed the Radio Star” d. “Billie Jean”
2. Initially, why were most videos on MTV mainstream rock?
a. Mainstream rock videos were the only videos available to be aired on the network.
b. Mainstream rock was the style of music that dominated the music charts.
c. Mainstream rock appealed to MTV’s target audience of white teenagers from the
Midwest.
d. Mainstream rock allowed the acceptance of other styles of pop and rock.
3. Who is Quincy Jones?
a. music producer who worked with Michael Jackson
b. director of the video for “Thriller”
c. music producer of Prince’s albums
d. director of Motown Records after Berry Gordy stepped down
4. Which singer adopted the “boy toy” image early in her career?
a. Pat Benatar c. Cyndi Lauper
b. Olivia Newton-John d. Madonna
5. Prince’s musical roots are in what style of music?
a. ’60s-style Motown c. ’70s black pop and funk
b. southern soul d. disco
6. Which Janet Jackson album demonstrated her new image of independence and confidence?
a. Rhythm Nation 1814 c. Good Times
b. Control d. janet
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7. “The Reflex” was a groundbreaking video by
a. Duran Duran. c. A Flock of Seagulls.
b. Bow Wow Wow. d. ABC.
8. George “Boy George” O’Dowd was the lead singer for which British band?
a. Duran Duran c. A Flock of Seagulls
b. Eurythmics d. Culture Club
9. How is the music of Tears for Fears reminiscent of progressive rock?
a. The band released concept albums.
b. The band displayed its virtuosic playing using a synthesizer.
c. The band’s lyrics dealt with serious topics.
d. The band blended earlier styles of rock music with synthesizer-based dance music.
10. Which singer from the Go-Go’s went on to a successful solo career?
a. Cyndi Lauper c. Belinda Carlisle
b. Debbie Harry d. Annie Lennox
11. The Traveling Wilburys included all of the following musicians EXCEPT
a. John Mellencamp. c. Tom Petty.
b. George Harrison. d. Jeff Lynne.
12. All of the following bands demonstrate a traditionalist style EXCEPT
a. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
b. the Traveling Wilburys.
c. Devo.
d. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
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SHORT ANSWER
1. What was the primary criticism of MTV in connection with the popular music business?
2. Michael Jackson’s success in selling millions of records and winning numerous awards earned him
the title ________.
3. How is Madonna similar to Jim Morrison, David Bowie, and Alice Cooper?
4. How is Prince similar to both George Clinton and Stevie Wonder?
5. ________ was the lead singer of the Eurythmics.
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MATCHING
Match the item to the description below.
a. nickname for Madonna
b. guitarist for AC/DC
c. producer-songwriter who worked with Janet Jackson
d. group with British duo George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley
e. dance step made famous by Michael Jackson
f. bassist for the Police
g. song by Styx
h. first successful all-female new-wave band
i. song by Asia
j.
1980s album by the Rolling Stones
1. the moonwalk
2. the “Material Girl”
3. Jimmy Jam
4. the Go-Go’s
5. Sting
6. Angus Young
7. Wham!
8. “Heat of the Moment”
9. “Mr. Roboto”
10. Tattoo You
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ESSAY
1. Discuss the development of MTV into a full-fledged network in the 1980s. How did musicians like
Michael Jackson and Madonna use videos to tie visual imagery and personae into their music? What
were some of the general criticisms of MTV with regard to music and imagery? In your opinion, do
visuals detract from or enhance the music and an artist’s image? Why or why not?
ANS:
answers vary
PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
2. What role did women play in music during the 1980s? Which musical styles were female musicians
engaged in during this era? How were visual images such as music videos important to their
careers? Did their image help or hinder the audience’s perception of their music? Why or why not?
ANS:
answers vary
PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
3. Compare and contrast the musical contributions of Prince and Michael Jackson during the 1980s.
What were their influences? How did they develop their images in the pop music world? In what ways
did both artists contribute to the MTV lineup?
ANS:
answers vary
PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
4. Discuss the bands and individual rock artists who represented the new traditionalists. What styles of
music did they embrace? How did their music develop both musically and lyrically? Include in your
discussion specific examples of artists and their music in addressing these questions.
ANS:
answers vary
PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
5. Discuss the ways in which progressive rock groups as well as other rock artists and bands from the
1960s and 1970s were able to adapt to the 1980s. Which groups were able to continue their careers,
and how did they change their stylistic approach? Be sure to use specific examples of individual
artists or bands and their songs to illustrate your point.
ANS:
answers vary
PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
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TRUE/FALSE
1. MTV’s initial market was white teenagers in the northeast.
2. Madonna did NOT write or produce many of her early hits.
3. Both Michael Jackson’s and Madonna’s music are often driven by a dance beat.
4. Although Prince wrote and produced his records, he rarely performed any of the instruments on them.
5. Tom Petty’s style in the 1980s is a clear departure from his musical connection to the 1960s.
6. Ronald Reagan’s administration used Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” as a tribute to
American pride and traditional values.
7. AC/DC was a band strongly aligned with both the new traditionalists and new wavers.
8. After Phil Collins left Genesis in the 1970s, Peter Gabriel took over the lead vocal duties for the
group.
9. In the 1980s, it was clear that rock artists could successfully continue their careers even after the style
with which they were originally associated had passed from popular favor.
