'80s on 8

When Nina saw an ad in Billboard for a new music TV channel, "I sent my resume and 8x10. After two auditions, they hired me as the first MTV VJ." She had a great time in the '80s despite a fashion faux pas or two: "I had a jacket that could be folded up into a purse." Worst interview? "Frank Zappa."

Big hair, bigger music. Hear Madonna, Def Leppard, Huey Lewis & the News, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson, Journey, Bon Jovi, the Bangles, Duran Duran and more from the totally awesome '80s.

Mark confesses he's more nostalgic for vinyl than cassettes, but this original MTV VJ admits the '80s were very good to him. Best '80s band? "REM." Best '80s event? "Live Aid." Best interview? "Paul McCartney. After the interview he personally got on the phone and made a dinner reservation for me!"

On August 1, 1981, a human induced tech error reversed the VJs’ intro segments, making Alan the “First VJ" to appear on MTV. For nearly four decades, this truth bomb has delighted 80s trivia superfans and irritated his buddy Mark. Hey, facts is facts and Goodman will always be the "tallest VJ”.

Every week, Rick Spingfield explores a different theme and plays 80s hits that fit the certain theme of the week. Rick also shares his own perspective and stories about the music.

Mark Goodman, Nina Blackwood and Alan Hunter count down the Big 40 hits of each week from a particular year of the decade of "excess!"