Episode 75: New Wave and the Boob Tube
If New Wave was a style and attitude, television was how it was delivered to the masses. In this episode, we talk about two important touchstones during one of pop culture’s signature eras: the launch of MTV and the debut of Miami Vice.
E X T R A S :
(Top to bottom): New Wave bands and MTV darlings Adam and the Ants, Boy George of Culture Club, Duran Duran and Flock of Seagulls
(Top to bottom): Robert Pitman, the leader of the team that created MTV; the original MTV video bumper, one of the first examples of liquid branding
(Top to bottom): Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) and Ricardo Tubbs (Phillip Michael Thomas) of Miami Vice, the South Beach neighborhood in Miami, artwork for Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Music Videos
“Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits (YouTube video)
“Take On Me” by a-ha (YouTube video)
Miami Vice opening titles (YouTube video)
“In the Air Tonight” scene from Miami Vice (YouTube video)
“You Belong to the City” scene from Miami Vice (YouTube video)
“Smuggler’s Blues” by Glenn Frey (YouTube video)
New Wave and Design
List of musicians featured on Miami Vice (Wikipedia)
“New Wave Graphics Are the Most Influential Designs You’ve Probably Ignored” (AIGA article)
“The History and Bands of New Wave Music” (MasterClass article)