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Thirty years ago, television and music met in a way like never before with the creation of an all-music network, MTV. On August 1, 1981, five young music enthusiasts, J.J. Jackson, Mark Goodman, Nina Blackwood, Alan Hunter and Martha Quinn were catapulted into fame when they became MTV’s original “VJs,” or video-jockeys. The network went on to help launch the careers of huge names like Madonna, Culture Club, Bon Jovi, Duran Duran and The Police, among others. While MTV’s formula is more reality show than music these days, let’s take a trip down memory lane and find out what the "Fab Five" has been up to since the days of hair bands and heavy makeup. Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll! (AP)![Mark Goodman 1981]()
Mark Goodman Then: Goodman began his career in radio in his hometown of Philadelphia. Serving as the director of WMMR Radio in 1978, he eventually transitioned to New York City to work for rock station WPLJ. In 1981, he joined the MTV team, where he went on to interview stars like Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Bryan Adams, Madonna and Stevie Nicks. He also served as the host of “120 Minutes,” “The Week in Rock” and “The Top 20 Video Countdown.”![Mark Goodman Now]()
Mark Goodman Now: Following on the heels of his MTV fame, Goodman tried his hand at acting, appearing in bit roles in films like “Police Academy 6,” “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood,” and episodes of “Married With Children,” “The Practice” and “Lois & Clark.” He also served as a host on several television programs in the 1990s and 2000s, including “Fit TV” and on VH1 and VH1 Classic. In addition, he served as the music supervisor to help launch the popular series “Desperate Housewives” on ABC. Now 58, he eventually made the return to radio, hosting a broadcast on Sirius XM Radio.![Martha Quinn Then]()
Martha Quinn Then: A New York native, Quinn moved from Albany to New York City to pursue a career in broadcast journalism. After being introduced to Bob Pittman by her former WNBC internship boss Buzz Brindle, Quinn was hired as an MTV VJ. While working at MTV, she hosted “Martha’s Greatest Hits,” “MTV Prime With Martha Quinn” and “Rockline.” She was dubbed “MTV’s Best Ever VJ” by Rolling Stone magazine and earned several acting roles on television shows like “The Bradys” and “Full House.”![Martha Quinn Now]()
Martha Quinn Now: After leaving MTV, she spent her time acting in films and commercials and working on shows like “Star Search” and “The Early Show.” In 2005, she returned to radio to host on Sirius Satellite Radio on their 80s channel. Now 52, she is married to musician Jordan Tarlow and has two children.![JJ Jackson]()
J.J. Jackson 1941-2004 John J. “J.J.” Jackson began his career working at WBCN in Boston in the 1960s, before moving over to KLOS in Los Angeles. While working as music reporter for KABC-TV, he was tapped to become one of MTV’s original “Fab Five.” After five years at MTV, Jackson returned to radio, working at rock station KROQ and smooth jazz station KTWV. In 2004, he suffered a heart attack and died at the age of 62. (AP)![Alan Hunter Then]()
Alan Hunter Then: An Alabama native, Hunter had aspirations to become a professional actor when he first moved to New York City in his youth. After bumping into MTV executive Bob Pittman at a picnic in Central Park, he joined the soon-to-be-launched network, just three weeks ahead of its launch. While at MTV, he interviewed the decade’s biggest stars, including Hall & Oates, Ozzy Osbourne, Duran Duran and U2. He later went on to host MTV programs like “MTV’s Spring Break,” “MTV’s Amuch in America” before leaving the network in 1987.![Alan Hunter Now]()
Alan Hunter Now: Upon his departure from MTV, Hunter appeared in television pilots, commercials and infomercials. In the 1990s, he launched Hunter Films with his brothers and created the multi-use entertainment facility, “WorkPlay.” Since then, he has worked with the Encore Network, hosting “The Big 80s Movie Weekend” and the Starz network. Now 54, he is often praised for his entrepreneurial work for the success of WorkPlay and Birmingham’s Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, which he co-founded.![Nina Blackwood Then]()
Nina Blackwood Then: Born in Massachusetts and raised in Ohio, Blackwood moved to California to pursue a career in acting in the 1970s. While there, she also posed for a 1978 Playboy pictorial called “Girls of the Office.” She was hired as one of MTV’s original “Fab Five,” and kept acting in films like “Vice Squad” and “Revenge of the Stepford Wives,” while working at MTV.![Nina Blackwood Now]()
Nina Blackwood Now: Blackwood left the network in 1986, and went on to host “Rock Report” for “Entertainment Tonight” and “Solid Gold” on VH1. She also continued working in television on “A Current Affair,” “Access Hollywood” and MSNBC. Now 55, she also works for Sirius Satellite Radio, even co-hosting with her three other original VJs on “The Big 80s Top 40 Countdown.” (Photo: LIFE) Click here for more on MTV's VJs through the years.Then/Now: MTV's Original 'Fab Five' VJs
As MTV turns 30, take a look back at their original on-air talent.
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- Then/Now: MTV's Original 'Fab Five' VJs
