A scene from The Buggles’ ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ video.

Did you know that The Buggles launched the MTV era with the first video broadcasted on the network?

MTV debuted on television at 12:01am on August 1st 1981; exactly 31 years ago as of today. The first video to air on the then newly launched network was ‘Video Killed the Radio Star‘, which was performed by the UK duo The Buggles.

Ironically, ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ was the only US hit by The Buggles and it peaked at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, the song found new life when it was sampled by Nicki Minaj and will.i.am for their 2010 collaboration, ‘Check it Out’, which climbed to #24 on the Hot 100.

Watch the video for The Buggles’ ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ below:

Now you know!