Can You Believe the MTV VMAs Are 40 Years Old? Here's What the Very First Show Looked Like

This time 40 years ago, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna and other big pop stars of the decade turned out for the inaugural VMAs

Forty years ago, MTV launched what would become a pop culture juggernaut.

The first-ever MTV Video Music Awards took over New York City's Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 14, 1984, with Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler on hosting duties and a who's-who of the biggest pop stars of the decade on the guest list. Cyndi Lauper and ZZ Top were among the celebs to take home a Moon Person statuette, while Madonna and Tina Turner performed and Eddie Murphy, Joe Piscopo and Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes presented.

As the 40th annual MTV Video Music Awards take over the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on Sept. 11 with host Megan Thee Stallion and performances by Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Camila Cabello, Eminem and others, take a look back at the show's 1984 beginnings.

Double Dose

The first-ever MTV VMAs were so over-the-top, they needed not one, but two hilarious hosts: Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler.

Belle of the Ball

Madonna was a vision of '80s excess in her signature lingerie-inspired look and tons of beads.

Blond Ambition

Up for five awards, Billy Idol rivaled Madonna for most jewelry worn to an awards show.

Queen of Pop

Music icon Tina Turner performed her 1984 hit "What's Love Got to Do with It."

Over the Moon

With nine nods, Cyndi Lauper was the most nominated artist at the 1984 VMAs, taking home one award for the video for her hit "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."

Winners Circle

MTV honored music industry legend Quincy Jones with its first-ever "Special Recognition Award."

Virgin Territory

Madonna's controversial performance of her hit "Like a Virgin" was the first of many instantly iconic performances by the pop star at the VMAs.

Party Girl

Missing Persons lead singer Dale Bozzio sparkled at the 1984 VMAs.

Doin' It All

Singer Huey Lewis and his band Huey Lewis and the News were nominated for two awards and also performed their song "I Want a New Drug."

Funny Guys

Comedians Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo presented the night's biggest award, Video of the Year, to The Cars for their clip for "You Might Think."

If Looks Could Thrill

The party continued at the VMAs afterparty at Tavern on the Green in New York City's Central Park, where actor Richard Belzer was on the guest list.

Top Three

Diana Ross found herself in a beard sandwich with ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill at the Tavern on the Green afterparty.

Hard Rock

The 1984 VMAs were so big, they needed two afterparties! Here, shock rocker Alice Cooper and wife Sheryl arrived at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City.

Multi-Platinum

Cher sported a cropped blonde 'do to the VMAs afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe.

All Eyes on You

Valerie Bertinelli and then-husband Eddie Van Halen celebrated his band's win for Best Stage Performance in a Video.

Wild Bunch

Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Michael Hall, Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth and Sonia Braga arrived to the Hard Rock Cafe afterparty in style.

Famous Faces

Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes and then-wife Julie Anne Friedman posed for a pic at the afterparty. Rhodes's band was up for two awards at the VMAs, and he and bandmate Simon Le Bon presented the Moon Person for Best Female Video to Cyndi Lauper.

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