Writer Greg Prato contacted SMILER this week to tell us about a new book he has just released.
Greg is a writer for such sites as All Music Guide and Rolling Stone.com, and his new recently released book is titled ‘MTV Ruled the World: The Early Years of Music Video.’
Greg interviewed quite a few famous rockers for the book, including ex-Rod drummer Carmine Appice, who talks about the making of such Rod videos as “Hot Legs,” “Da Ya Thing I’m Sexy,” and “She Won’t Dance with Me.” And you can check out sample parts of the book (and find ordering info) via this link – https://stores.lulu.com/gregprato
There have been few times in modern music history that an instant shift in how we listen to — and view — music has occurred. However, the launch of MTV on August 1, 1981, was certainly one such occurrence. Instantly, music fans were now “listening with their eyes” rather than relying solely on their ears. ‘MTV Ruled the World: The Early Years of Music Video’ is the first book to focus solely on the channel’s important building-block years, specifically from the channel’s launch to when MTV’s original group of VJs left the channel. Comprised of over 70 all-new interviews (“Weird Al” Yankovic, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Joe Elliott, Phil Collen, Rob Halford, Stewart Copeland, Rick Springfield, Jerry Casale, Geddy Lee, Ann Wilson, Chuck D, Alan Hunter, Nina Blackwood, etc.), the book is not only an eye-opening account of the early years of MTV, but also of the music industry, important music developments/events, and the “Big ‘80s” in general.
