Music Videos

The music industry has changed with the introduction of music videos. It is a short film or video made primarily to be used for marketing or promoting a music recording. They were popularized in the 1980’s by MTV, Music Television. The industry has grown tremendously to the point there is now 24 hour music television and internet videos which can be downloaded.

The history of music videos date back to 1910, when Alexander Scriabin’s symphony was accompanied by film and the term visual music originated.

In 1940, the Walt Disney Company released Fantasia, which was an animated film with classical music.

In 1956, singer Tony Bennett filmed a movie while singing his recording of “Stranger in Paradise.” He claims that he made the very first music video.

Ozzie Nelson directed the video “Travelin’  Man” by his son Ricky in 1961, . It is considered to be the first rock video.

Modern music videos were forever changed by the Beatles classic movies, “A Hard Days Night” in 1964. The same year that the Beatles produced some short promotional videos for their songs.

The Beatles once again took music video to new heights when they did “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Penny Lane.” Techniques were used from avant garde films such as reverse film effects, unusual lighting and camera angles.

Other promotional films which influenced music videos were promotional films done by the Doors, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd and the Byrds.

In 1968, produced an anti war video, “the Unknown Soldier” in which there is a mock execution by a firing squad. It was innovative because external video clips were used with archival and TV footage of carnage from the Vietnam War. It was meant to be shocking and controversial.

Most notably the key to success of the music video was the introduction of video recording and editing processes as well as effects such as chroma key. High quality video tape recorders allowed many pop stars to produce promotional videos quickly and cheaply. The 1980’s brought video releases from The Jacksons and Queen, Meat Loaf, Blondie, Devo, Cyndi Lauper and Madonna.

In the mid 1980’s, Michael Jackson is credited for adding a toryline to video with his video, “Thriller.” It was a fourteen minute music video that clearly had a beginning, middle and end.

In 1986, Peter Gabriel broke ground with “Sledge Hammer” because of the sophisticated special effects and animation techniques. Peter Gabriel remains the music video’s foremost innovators.

In 1981, MTV was launched beginning an era of 24 hour a day music on television. The reviews have been mixed. Many think the emphasis is now more on visual presence rather than true musical artists.

The internet has brought YouTube, Google Video, IFilm and My Space have become primary venues for viewing videos.

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