80's TV: Catching Up with the Original MTV VJs

When Music Television (MTV) first launched its cable network onto the airwaves back in the early 80s, its sole purpose was to be to television what radio was to music - MTV was "all music, all the time." The only exception to that rule was the music industry snippets announced by the MTV Video Jockeys.

There were five original MTV Video Jockeys, and the members of Generation X will probably remember them fondly. Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, J.J. Jackson, Martha Quinn, and Nina Blackwood helped usher in the music video revolution.

For the children of the 80s, the voices of the five MTV VJs were engrained in our daily lives, but since the end of the 80s, they have been relatively silent; let us play catch-up and find out what they are all up to in 2011.

Mark Goodman

To many of us, Mark Goodman was known as the cute one. He was the one with the head full of thick, dark curls, and the gorgeous smile. Currently, Mark is the host of the Sirius XM Satellite Radio show, Classic Rewind - 70s and 80s Classic Rock, and a co host of the 80s on 8. The title of the show says everything you need to know about the content, and we are happy to know that Mark Goodman is still on the air.

Alan Hunter

Alan Hunter was known as the more serious of the MTV Video Jocks. He had a calm nature, a deadpan voice, and a matter-of-fact type of style. Alan Hunter is originally from Birmingham, Alabama, and since the end of the 80s, he has helped to establish The Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival. The festival is an annual event where the goal is to celebrate independent filmmaking and bring diversity to downtown Birmingham's historic theater district. Alan Hunter is also a current host on the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Show, the 80s on 8.

J.J. Jackson

John J. Jackson, Jr., better known as J.J. Jackson, was the only black member of the original Five MTV Video Jockeys. He defied the stereotypical role of the lone black television personality, by not being the one to provide constant comic relief, and he held steadfast to his love for rock music. According to an MTV news article, Jackson returned to his radio disc jockey roots after his MTV VJ days were over. Sadly, that same MTV article reported Jackson's death of a heart attack in 2004, J.J. Jackson was 62 years old.

Martha Quinn

Cute and friendly is how Martha Quinn's personality is best remembered. To 80s audiences, she seemed like the all-American girl-next-door, and when she announced a video from an up and coming band ("up and coming" meaning a group or singer we did not already know), it sounded like a suggestion from a trusted friend. According to the Internet Movie Database, Martha Quinn took on a few acting roles after the end of the 80s.

Today (2011) Quinn is a co-host of Sirius Satellite Radio's 80s music fan radio show, the 80s on 8, along with the three remaining MTV video jocks. She has a prominent online presence with a website and blog, and a public personality Facebook all devoted to her passion for the 80s - hmm, it looks like Martha and I have a lot in common; my, do I feel special....

Nina Blackwood

Somehow, Nina Blackwood's name seemed to fit her perceived personality. She was the "rock star" of the pack. It may be because her real name is not Nina Blackwood, and her hair color has been dyed blonde all these years... perhaps she may have orchestrated the look, but the rock star personality is all hers.

After the end of her run on MTV, Nina went out and garnered acting roles, and she has been a nationally syndicated radio host of two 80s themed radio shows. Also like Martha Quinn, Nina Blackwood has a prominent online presence, with an eponymous 80s culture website, and a popular Facebook public persona page. Today, Nina Blackwoood can be found on The 80s on 8 along with her other MTV VJ alums.

- Sources -

The Internet Movie Database