MTV Turns 30: What's Your Music TV Memory?

Thirty years ago today, MTV premiered with rocket-launch footage and a broadcast of "Video Killed The Radio Star." On Twitter today, viewers have been sharing their memories of the network's three-decade existence. A few thoughts from random tweeters, our followers, and an Atlantic editor:

@TheAtlanticENT The video of the Chili Peppers "Real Men Don't Kill Coyotes" blew my 16 y.o. brain across the room. #iwantmymtvless than a minute ago via Echofon Favorite Retweet ReplyWho Knew?
mtbkgrl

I hate to admit this, but 30 years ago, when MTV came out, I thought, as a 13yo, that it was of the devil. #iwantmyMTV #redstatechildhoodless than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyK Grubb
10MinuteWriter

Sure I have some fond memories of early MTV. But it also gave us the musical apocalypse "We Built This City" http://is.gd/I5BfPb #iwantmymtvless than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyAdamThierer
AdamThierer

MTV memories: 'Singled Out,' back when dating shows ended in a date, not marriage; my parents forbidding me from seeing 'Beavis' #iwantmyMTVless than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyEleanor Barkhorn
eleanorbarkhorn

I can still hear my dad questioning why I would want to watch music videos when I could listen to music on the radio. #iwantmyMTVless than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyNicole Alley
Nicole_Alley

@TheAtlanticENT 1st understanding of our reality tv future came when I mistook a Real World castmember as someone I knew personally #mtv30less than a minute ago via TwitBird Favorite Retweet ReplyEwing weber
Ewingweber

hot summer days in middle school were spent in my next door neighbor's basement family room having "name this video" races. #iwantmyMTVless than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyKristin T.
kt_writes

@ProfMTH @TheAtlanticENT @MTV / my earliest and favorite memory is staring at mtv all day long for Jump by Van Halen to come onless than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplySlighTlyKauLField
SlighTlyKauLFie

Thoughts, observations, memories about MTV? Leave a comment below.