The History of Music Video

 The History of music videos

1920/30 experimented with silent film and soundtrack, 1926 was the era of the talkies.

In the 1940s thousands of “soundies” were made as promotional clip for Jazz musicians. Also the use of the Panoram and visual jukebox made these clips more selectable.

Musical films were another factor to the development of the music video for example in 1956 for Tony Bennett music video he was filmed walking along Hyde Park as he was singing.

1960-1967 The Visual innovation a better visual jukebox was invented called the Scopitone. The Beatles in the 60s pushed the movement for music videos as they entered world of taking part in promotional films.

1967-1973 promotional clips grow in importance promote more social issues in the world at that time.

1974 -1980 Beginning of music Television for example top of the pops on the United Kingdom was a big hit with promoting artists.

1981-1991 Music videos go mainstream, 1981 MTV launched airing “Video killed the radio star” which was a post modern video which promoted the band to higher success. For example in our music video for Owl City the song fireflies we are producing a post modern video which doesn’t a narrative structure as such which breaks the boundaries just like 90’s.

1992- Present day Rise of directors MTV began listing directors at the end of music videos for example Hype Williams who produces post modern videos till this day.


by Joanne Ogunsan