Imagine if Michael Jackson's videos never premiered on MTV. At that time MTv was a struggling cable network who only played music videos from white artists. It wasn't until 1983 that Michael Jackson broke the color barrier with his classic video "Beat It". His next video (Thriller) is known as one of the best music videos of all time. After releasing the "Beat It" video, MTv began to air more videos from black artists like Run DMC, and Whitney Houston.

Unfortunately, youtube won't let me post any of his videos. However here is the very first music video to air on MTV. This video aired August 1, 1981 at 12:01 A.M.

i don't know why the video isn't working. let me try it again

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XWtHEmVjVw8

Michael Jackson was awesome at that time, beat it is one of my favorite songs ever, MTV couldn't ignore him he was too big back then, too bad about how jackson turned out

i dont really care for Micheal Jackson or MTV, MJ is clearly insane and MTV seems to have decided not to show music anymore, all it shows are tv programes that i wouldnt watch if you payed me.

Michael Jackson can dance but I don't think he's that great a musical artist.

Do you also "don't think" the earth is round?

You seem like a guy that thinks the Backstreet Boys are the best ever!

michael was good for his time.

hallelujah brace yourself

live - smooth criminal



also live - billie jean

@Rath, I don't think you understand. If it hadn't been for him. There be no chris brown, usher, or ne-yo. He's pave the way for a lot of people. Even Fall out Boy looks up to him. They recently redone one of his songs.