These days the little screens in the palms of our hands (remember when we used to talk on phones?) have become audio and visual jukeboxes. But once upon a time one of the best places to hear new music was on your TV. From dance shows like “Soul Train” to talent searches like “American Idol” the little box in the living room was a gateway to all that that we wanted to hear and know about our favorite artists.
Take a trip with us down memory lane as we remember the shows then and now they gave us our music fix on a daily and weekly basis.
“American Bandstand”
Aired: September 1952-October 1989
One of the longest running music performance shows, “American Bandstand was on the air for an outstanding 31 years, airing 3,000 episodes. The show made its debut on a local Philadelphia TV station, and became a cultural mainstay under the guidance the never-aging host, the late Dick Clark. Clark was instrumental in showcasing countless black artists including The Jackson Five, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and James Brown.
WATCH: Jackson 5 Perform “Shake Your Body
“Soul Train”
Aired: October 1971-March 2006
The funkier, more soulful twin to “American Bandstand” Black America finally had a music show that welcomed sky high afros, bell bottom slacks and platform shoes. Don Cornelius, a journalist who was active in the Civil Rights movement, brainstormed the idea for a music show where soul music could take center stage. The salutation “Love, peace, and soul” Train has been cemented in our cultural lexicon.
WATCH: Soul Train line performs to Curtis Mayfield’s “Get Down”
“Solid Gold”
Aired: September 1980-July 1988
If the 90’s were all about wanting to be a Fly Girl on “In Living Color”, 70’s babies fantasized gold lame costumes… Solid Gold dancer. Capitalizing on America’s disco craze, Solid Gold was flashy, gaudy, addictive fun. Dionne Warrick, Marilyn McCoo, and Arsenio Hall all landed hosting gigs during “Solid Gold’s” eight year run.
WATCH: S.O.S. Band performs “Take Your Time (Do It Right)”
Video Music Box
Aired: 1983-Present
Thank the Lord for Ralph McDaniels. In the early 80’s MTV turned its nose up to rap videos with the reasoning that hip-hop was “just a fad” McDaniels created an on-air platform for upcoming MC’s. Instead of the usual studio format used for other music shows, “Video Music Box” was shot mostly outdoors around New York City.
WATCH: Jay-Z and Notorious B.I.G. perform “Get Money” at Ralph McDaniel’s birthday part in 1996
Yo! MTV Raps
Aired: August 1988-August 1995
When White America realized hip-hop could be a cash cow, MTV executives jumped on the bandwagon to capitalize on the now burgeoning music genre. The show was hosted by comedy duo Ed Lover and Dre and soon competed against Music Video Box and BET’s Rap City for hip-hop fans across the country.
Star Search
Aired: September 1983-May 1995
Billing itself as “the world’s greatest talent competition,” Star Search didn’t seem to have a clue as to what defined a superstar. A staggering amount of contestants voted off the show went on to fame and fortune: Usher, Dave Chappelle, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, Aaliyah, and Destiny’s Child (billed then as “Girls Tyme”).
Video Soul
Aired: June 1981-September 1996
Hosted by Donnie Simpson and Sherry Carter, BET came up with “Video Soul” to fill the void left by MTV, who refused to give airtime to black music artists. Women watched partly for Simpson’s pretty boy looks, and Carter was the red-boned fantasy of many a teenaged boy.
WATCH: Donnie Simpson Discusses “Boyz N The Hood” and gang violence with Whitney Houston (1991)
106 & Park
Aired: September 2000-Present
Nicknamed “The Black TRL” 106 & Park was a platform for the younger hip-hop generation. While TRL ruled from Times Square, 106 & Park made its home right in the heart of Harlem (106th Street and Park Avenue). The video countdown show has had a steady succession of hosts from original duo of A.J. and Free to the recently departed Terrence J and Rosci Diaz, who have all gone on to successful careers in entertainment.
Watch: Free and A.J. interview Aaliyah in her final interview, August 2001
American Idol
Aired: June 2002-Present
Even though “American Idol” can boast some successful alumnae (Fantasia, Jordin Sparks, Carrie Underwood) millions of viewers really tuned in to witness Simon Cowell’s withering critiques of the show’s contestants. But even Simon Cowell had to eat his words when Jennifer Hudson (who he publicly lambasted) went on to win an Oscar for her role in “Dreamgirls.”
WATCH: Jennifer Hudson auditions for “American Idol”
TVOne’s Unsung
Aired: November 2008 – Present
If you’ve ever wondered where your favorite one-hit wonder or R&B or artist went to, TVOne’s Unsung will find them. Unsung documents the career highs and lows of music luminaries like Isaac Hayes to flash in the pan acts like Midnight Star.
