Video Killed The Radio Star - Week Of 9/7/08

[Railyn]

Figured we could try something new, and see how everone feels.

I've discussed it incessantly with others, but the Buggles had it 100% correct. There were a number of good acts in the late 70's and early 80's that dropped into oblivion when MTV exploded. While you can't blame everything 100% on MTV and having "that look" to keep you going, you can't argue that MTV had the power to make or break an artist.

The purpose of these posts aren't really to purely argue about why the video industry may or may not have killed these people's careers, but rather to check out some forgotten bits of early music videos (often called "promos" in the pre-MTV days).

So with that, I give you this week's video:



Ebony Eyes by Bob Welch - 1978

I just introduced someone to this song, and maybe that's why I've chosen it, but I do love this song, and just recently found the video. I know that Bob quit Fleetwood Mac citing "exhaustion", and that he once had a bad Heroin addiction, but he never seemed able to duplicate the success he had with the French Kiss album.

So enjoy the video (and all of it's cheese), and feel free to discuss anything you'd like.

[edehl]

I love Bob. One of my most vivid childhood memories was of leaning out my mom's station wagon window (in the days before seatbelts were standard) while "Sentimental Lady" played on her AM radio. The feeling of the summer wind on my face, while my hair blew all around tickling my nose and arms, was something I could never forget. It's funny how the lyrics almost match my memory. How suitable! "Sentimental gentle wind....blowing through my life again.....sentimental lady, gentle one...."
Love that song!

[55dodger]

That was a cool video Railyn. Thanks for sharing. Ebony Eyes has always been a favorite from the non-disco late 70s era. As for MTV, I rarely watch, if ever. Somehow, that don't seem to cater to the 53 year old guy.

[Railyn]

Sept 9, 2008 1:49:50 GMT -5 55dodger said:

That was a cool video Railyn. Thanks for sharing. Ebony Eyes has always been a favorite from the non-disco late 70s era. As for MTV, I rarely watch, if ever. Somehow, that don't seem to cater to the 53 year old guy.

I stopped watching MTV in the early 90's. They don't cater to the 34 year old girl either.

[Dawn]

I've loved this song since it was current in 1978, but had never seen the video before. It's cheesy in that campy "Love Boat" way, but it's good cheese!

Bob is definitely an underrated talent. His work with Fleetwood Mac was very solid (his song Hypnotized is my favorite Mac track) and all four of his top 40 singles were catchy and well-crafted. It's unfortunate that we didn't hear more from him after '79.

Totally agree with you and Woody about MTV. It was once very innovative and enjoyable, but now it's just a shadow of its former self. Unfortunately, it seems like VH-1 has gone down a similar path, and I fear it won't be long before we see the same thing with VH-1 Classic.

[Ken]

Hi Railyn

I've loved this tune (along with Sentimental Lady) ever since '77 / '78. My middle brother bought both 45's back then and played them in the house regularly.

This is the first time, I've seen the video for "Ebony." I liked it! Cheesy? yeah, kind of, I guess, but hey there's nothing wrong with a nice piece of cheddar. lol


We don't have MTV up here in Canada, instead we have it's equivalent "Much Music" and later on our answer to VH-1 - "Much More Music. "

When both channels started, they were excellent, I watched and taped programs off both regularly. Unfortunately (as with MTV and VH-1) the channels nosedived and have been totally unwatchable for several years now, showing nothing but crummy "reality" and "entertainment" news type programming, although both still do show videos, but only about two or so hours worth a day.