b'Special Feature Station to Station:Music Video Programs & Channels RevisitedSwank? Or Sly Stallone and Michael B. Jordan?Thats what works.Also, I think that movies, like the StepUp franchises, have turned our culture into a cartoon, with dancing on Hummers and jumping off buildings. Really? What are you fighting for? If youre fighting for a new car, thatChannel: V66 (UHF)does not go very far. If you fight to elevate the consciousness of other people, anybody canYears: 1985-1986get behind that. I think that applies to a lot of people, especially people who were kids whenLocation: Boston, MAthey watch the Breakin movies, and kids who are just discovering it today. Besides wanting to see great dancing, they were attracted to that message. Now, Breakin 2 should have been a continuation of that struggle, instead of all that vanilla ice cream. And also, were living in different times. IIan OMalley, radio personality and think the new king of street dance should beformer V66 VJ: You know, the first thingthe local sports teams that are like a queen. The role should be for a woman. Ithat comes to mind is the Wild, Wild West.the chowder in their feet. And yet, think thats where we are now in terms of theWhen you think about the artists that werewe could just do what we wanted, Breakin franchise, as an offshoot of the originalproducing music in the mid 80s, even justand you could throw an idea out, franchise. I think thats where were at with theeven for pop Prince, Michael Jackson,and they were always very open whole #MeToo movement. Women want whatMadonna, and there was a lot of really greatto it. And generally it was always hip hop culture and street dancing has alwaysrock, even though it was a little bit moremusic based. We did a lot of live wanted: to be recognized, to be appreciated.polished back then. V66 was its own entity,broadcasts. We had a show called When we get there, together, we will be in ayou know, for the people that could get it,"Boston Beat" from all these various better place. And I think thats at the core ofthe region that could get Channel 66 UHF.nightclubs. We broadcast an thats what Ozone, my character, is about. InSo when only 30 percent of the Boston areaAerosmith show too. Boston loved the first film, I marched to City Hall, I was anti- people had cable and could get MTV, wereus. gentrification, I spoke up for little guy. I wasntAbove and below:doing this on this new free channel. Also,Green: I was 8 years old and afraid to speak truth to power. Thats where itscenes from Breakinits impact is still amazing since the channelit was a very exciting time for needs to go. You see, we need to get there. 2: Electric Boogaloo was only on for a little over a year.music. You had the big superstars We could do whatever we wanted, andlike Michael Jackson, Madonna, we did whatever we wanted. You know, weand Bruce Springsteen; you had flew by the seat of our pants a lot. Initiallynew wave synth-pop; you had rap, we were almost all completely live, and itwhich was bubbling up from the was like working a radio show, becauseunderground; and you had heavy if you ever see any of the old footage ofmetal getting popular. All of this it, you see all these video racks and shitexciting music was getting played on behind you.a free TV channel that was only on So heres a story: Nikki Sixx [bassistin the Boston area.Quiones flanked by Don Johnson andfor Mtley Cre] is up there, high as a kite,OMalley: I was I still living on Philip Michael Thomas on Miami Vice Eric Green, director of V66great interview, always an entertaining guy.Riverside Park in the city, and I documentary Life on the V: MTVSo then he sneezes, takes the Kleenex and had premiered on cable TV in 1981,looks at it, he goes, Well, there goes fiftylove going out and grabbing a but cable was only just starting tobucks! I dont even think we had a delay,bottle of wine and a folding chair become available in New Englandto be honest with you. I mean, there wasand watching the sunset. This guy by the mid-1980s. Massachusettssome crazy shit that went on there. who was listening to music was How was yourradio personality John Garabedian,So, you know, Bostonians and people inrunning past me, and he stopped, experience onwho was known on WORC, WMEX,New England in general, but especially theand he looked back at me and said, WGTR, and WBCN among others,Boston area, theyre very, very provincial.Are you Ian OMalley? And I said, Miami Vice?came up with a plan to launch aThey like their local music. They worshipYes, I am. Generally, when that TV channel to function as musichappens, it is somebody who heard Oh, heres a bit of trivia at onetelevision for the Boston-basedsome radio appearance or saw me point. I went to network to playcollege crowd, using the music-videoon VH1 or even "Big Brother," for Ricardo Tubbs. Yes, MichaelTV concept, but keep it live and local.that matter. And he goes, I Mann actually gave me that role.WVJV-TV channel 66 premiered asremember watching you on V66. I didnt have to audition for theV66 on February 12, 1985, and it wasHe was from the Boston area.role I ended up with on Miamian immediate sensation. V66 was Vice. According to him, I did soin the right place at the right time to well, and he really wanted me forshowcase Bostons superstar bands a moment, but he I said I wasntlike Aerosmith, The Cars, and the the right age. And its fine becauseJ.Geils Band, as well as new artists Learn more about V66 the right person to do that rolelike Til Tuesday, Extreme, and The Pictured: Roxy Myzal, Tommy Chong,at the Life on the V was Phillip Michael Thomas. ButCheech Marin and V66 VJ Ian OMalleyyes, I went in to read for networkDel Fuegos. documentary website.for Tubbs. It was down to three or four of us.78MVTMISSUE #1 ISSUE #1MVTM79'