When MTV began broadcasting on 1 August 1981, Rick Springfield’s ‘Jessie’s Girl’ was number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. The coincidence captures the moment before MTV’s music-video format became a major force in shaping pop stars and chart success.

MTV’s first video was The Buggles’ ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’, signalling its emphasis on visual presentation. ‘Jessie’s Girl’ topped the US chart for two weeks, replacing Air Supply’s ‘The One That You Love’ before Diana Ross and Lionel Richie’s ‘Endless Love’ took over.