September 14, 1984 witnessed the birth of the MTV VMAs. Hosts Dan Akroyd and Bette Midler blew away the audience with their sexually suggestive banter breaking all the conventional norms that were characteristic to award ceremonies of the day. Herbie Hancock’s Rockit took home five awards, with his groundbreaking use of the turntables and his artistic representation of the music video. Michael Jackson also walked away with three ‘Moonmen’, among which, one was the all-important ‘Viewers Choice award’.
The MTV VMA’s was here to kick some serious butt and that is what they did with performances by Tina Turner, Huey Lewis & The News and a final performance by Madonna which probably knocked the audience out of their socks. Madonna appeared on stage wearing a lacy, white wedding gown with a ‘Boy Toy’ belt which has now become synonymous with that performance. Her live rendition of Like a Virgin has gone down in history as one of her greatest performances. By the time she was done giving a performance of a lifetime breaking ever single norm of sexuality involved in a musical performance, the MTV Video music awards was ‘alive and kicking’ and it was here to stay.
List of Nominees and Winners at the 1984 VMAs
Video of the Year
- Herbie Hancock - Rockit
- Michael Jackson - Thriller
- Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun
- The Police - Every Breath You Take
- The Cars - You Might Think
Winner: The Cars - You Might Think
Best Male Video
- David Bowie - China Girl
- Herbie Hancock - Rockit
- Michael Jackson - Thriller
- Billy Joel - Uptown Girl
- Lionel Richie - All Night Long (All Night)
Winner: David Bowie - China Girl
Best Female Video
- Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun
- Pat Benatar - Love Is A Battlefield
- Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
- Bette Midler - Beast of Burden
- Donna Summer - She Works Hard for the Money
Best Group Video
- ZZ Top - Legs
- Huey Lewis & The News - The Heart Of Rock & Roll
- The Police - Every Breath You Take
- Van Halen - Jump
- ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man
Viewer's Choice
- Michael Jackson - Thriller
- The Cars - You Might Think
- Herbie Hancock - Rockit
- Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want to Have Fun
- The Police - Every Breath You Take
Best New Artist
- Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
- Wang Chung - Dance Hall Days
- Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun
- Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
- Madonna – Borderline
Best Concept Video
- Herbie Hancock - Rockit
- The Cars - You Might Think
- Michael Jackson - Thriller
- Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun
- The Rolling Stones - Undercover of the Night
Best Stage Performance
- Van Halen – Jump
- David Bowie - Modern Love
- Duran Duran - The Reflex
- Bette Midler - Beast Of Burden
- The Pretenders - Middle of the Road
Best Overall Performance
- Michael Jackson - Thriller
- David Bowie - China Girl
- Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun
- The Police - Every Breath You Take
- Van Halen - Jump
Most Experimental Video
- Herbie Hancock - Rockit
- The Cars - You Might Think
- Thomas Dolby - Hyperactive
- The Alan Parsons Project - Don't Answer Me
- Neil Young - Wonderin'
Best Direction
- ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man
- The Bongos - Numbers With Wings
- Huey Lewis & The News - I Want a New Drug
- Ian Hunter - All of the Good Ones Are Taken
- Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself
- Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
- The Police - Every Breath You Take
- ZZ Top - Gimme All Your Lovin'
Best Choreography
- Michael Jackson - Thriller
- Toni Basil - Over My Head
- Elton John - I'm Still Standing
- Bette Midler - Beast Of Burden
- Donna Summer - She Works Hard for the Money
Best Special Effects
- Herbie Hancock - Rockit
- The Cars - You Might Think
- Thomas Dolby - Hyperactive
- Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself
- Talking Heads - Burning Down The House
Best Art Direction
- Herbie Hancock - Rockit
- The Cars - You Might Think
- Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself
- The Police - Every Breath You Take
- Queen - Radio Gaga
Best Editing
- Herbie Hancock - Rockit
- Duran Duran - The Reflex
- Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face
- Elton John - I'm Still Standing
- ZZ Top - Legs
- ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man
Best Cinematography
- The Police - Every Breath You Take
- David Bowie - China Girl
- Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face
- Kiss - All Hell's Breakin' Loose
- John Cougar Mellencamp - Authority Song
- Stray Cats - Sexy & 17