While MTV — the cable television station featuring music videos of popular rock and pop bands — officially launched in 1981, the history of the music video actually dates back to the early 20th century before audio on screen was mainstream. But how did this experimental and obscure format develop into one of the music industry's most popular artistic mediums? It's time to press the rewind button and hear the incredible true story of how music videos came to be.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the evolution of the music video over the past century — from sound-on-film pioneers, to the innovation of the video jukebox, to the MTV explosion of the 1980s.

Led by award-winning author Will Friedwald — one of the most respected and widely-read historians of music and popular culture — our virtual discussion and analysis of the origins of the music video will include:

• The early experimental films produced by Thomas Edison in 1913 and how they would eventually give rise to the music videos we know and love today
• The technologies used to showcase early music videos of the 1930s and '40s, including the early phonofilms and vitaphone shorts, soundies, and scopitones films
• The great artists and bands whose musical and performance legacies were preserved through this medium, including Al Jolson, Ethel Merman, Nat King Cole, the Beatles, and Elvis
• Great song hits as documented in early music videos, from Mona Lisa to These Boots Were Made For Walkin' to If I Had a Hammer
• A look at remarkable, though lesser known, performers and bands that appeared in these early music video formats, such as the brilliant blues shouter June Richmond or the Delta Rhythm Boys

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Will — any and all questions about music videos are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Will

Will Friedwald is a featured arts writer for The Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair, and the award-winning author of ten books on music and popular culture, including the new Straighten Up and Fly Right: The Life and Music of Nat King Cole, as well as A Biographical Guide To The Great Jazz And Pop Singers, Sinatra: The Song Is You, Stardust Melodies, Tony Bennett: The Good Life, Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies, and Jazz Singing. He has written over 600 liner notes for compact discs, received ten Grammy nominations, and appears frequently on television and other documentaries. He is also a consultant and curator for Apple Music.

Testimonials

"Very detailed info, smoothly presented. Learned much." -Joel

"I always enjoy Will's encyclopedic knowledge, and whenever I sign up for one of his events, I know I'll be introduced to videos I've never seen anywhere else. Great fun." -Wayne

"I loved the wide variety of information and videos presented." -Martin

"The wide array of music videos that were presented, and the historical development of the genre." -Ken

"The host made the presentation very lively, entertaining and very informative. I enjoyed the subject and the vintage photos presented." -Gwendolyn

"I loved the photos , video clips and just overall passion for the history." -Maggie

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Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment