Episode 1: The Night MTV Launched | “Video Killed the Radio Star” and the Birth of Music Television

Send us Fan MailOn August 1, 1981, MTV changed music forever.In the very first episode of Who Ordered the Pie?, we revisit the night “Video Killed the Radio Star” launched a cultural revolution. When MTV flipped the switch at midnight and aired The Buggles’ quirky 1979 synth-pop hit, it signaled a shift from radio to video, reshaping how artists looked, performed, and built their careers.We explore why MTV chose the song, how it became the perfect statement for a new era, and the surprising legacy behind it. From Trevor Horn’s later success producing Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Seal, and Yes, to Geoff Downes forming Asia, to Hans Zimmer’s blink-and-you-miss-it appearance in the video before becoming an Oscar-winning composer, this episode uncovers the unexpected ripple effects of one midnight broadcast.Along the way, we dive into pop culture history, chart milestones, Grammy wins, and the artists who defined the early MTV era.The episode closes with a cocktail that matches the theme of reinvention, the Tommy’s Margarita. Clean, bright, and focused on the essentials, it reflects the simplicity and boldness of a song that helped usher in the video age.If you love music history, MTV nostalgia, 1980s pop culture, and the stories behind iconic hits, this episode is for you.Until next time, here’s to loud riffs, quiet sips, and the stories in between.Support the showWho Ordered the Pie? a music history podcast with custom cocktail pairings. Show notes, recipes, and extras: WhoOrderedThePie.com Follow: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTube • Instagram