Melody Makers
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This documentary takes you behind the scenes to explode the myths, honor the legends, and reveal the incredible stories and never-before-seen photographs of rock giants like Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Ray Davies, Frank Zappa, Patti Smith and many, many others. This tell-all reveals anecdotes and unpublished photos from the world's most influential music publication, Melody Maker magazine with its intimate access to legendary rock bands including The Rolling Stones and the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Animals and on and on. At the heart of this film is Melody Maker's head photographer, Barrie Wentzell who takes us along on an intimate journey with his colleagues into the world of rock icons. These journalists, with cameras in hand, had free rein and were creatively involved with the artists, something unheard of today. The film captures this unique period telling the story behind the magazine's rise and fall, showing first hand how the artists, the record companies and journalists came to move a generation. The magazine was a "must read" during its time, now the movie is a "must see" for musicians, music fans and photo buffs alike!
Night Flight - Fathers of Music Video
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Tonight, we look at the progenitors of the music video genre. Night Flight was born at bleeding edge of the music video era, and tonight's exhibit of gorgeously preserved early adopters shows it. Within you'll find slices of video brilliance from some of the pioneers of the genre including Michael Nesmith (whose "Rio" kicked off the music video art form), Devo, David Bowie and Todd Rundgren.
Night Flight - Flash Tracks (1987)
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In this excellent Flash Tracks episode from June, 1987 Night Flight covers Women in Rock including Siouxsie and the Banshees, Yazoo's Alison Moyet and Suzanne Vega. Born Susan Janet Ballion in a London suburb, Siouxsie Sioux cut her musical teeth on rock legends the Sex Pistols and David Bowie. Siouxsie Sioux brought unrestrained fashion and rock together, (what Night Flight's Pat Prescott calls a modern day "Mata Hari") with a style imitated all over England. Performing since 1976, Siouxsie and the Banshees unique sound smacks of their fascination of the bizarre. 
David Bowie - The Calm Before The Storm
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The definitive '69 to '71 era David Bowie documentary film. his film documents Bowie's career from the start, but focuses most notably on the period during which he made his second album (initially, simply called David Bowie but later re-christened Space Oddity to avoid confusion with his debut), his third, the critically acclaimed Man Who Sold The World and the pinnacle of his pre-Ziggy career, Hunky Dory.
Night Flight - Hot Rocks
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"Mama warned me about wild music at parties... she said music would lead to loose behavior and uncontrollable urges!" AWW YEAHH. Tonight, get ready video music according to Playboy Magazine on Hot Rocks (circa 1983) featuring uncensored videos from David Bowie, Queen, Doug and The Slugs, The Tubes, Marty Ballin, and newcomer Peter Godwin in a Playboy Exclusive. While the sexuality of these videos was novel for the time and presented in true '80s glory, their are some rarely seen music history gems tucked into this special episode, some of which don't appear to be anywhere near Youtube. Welcome to the hottest party tape on TV -  video music that goes farther than ever to please you.
Night Flight - "Take Off" to Self Destruction
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In Take Off To Self Destruction (1986), Night Flight focuses on some of the darker elements that defined the 1980s, looking at music that dealt with topics like drug abuse and crime. Featured songs like “Stop The Madness” and “Just Say No” convey a conflicted range of emotion when watched today. The videos are definitely humorous in their categorically ‘80s presentation but they also require a somber reflection of the ineffective and corrosive drug policies promoted by the Reagans. Along with artist interviews and PSA style interstitials (including a brilliant one from Frank Zappa), this episode features videos from Armband, Jazzy Jeff, Fine Young Cannibals and more. A closing video of David Bowie’s “Ashes To Ashes” for this segment proves that Night Flight was willing to take on uncomfortable topics like drug abuse and suicide with an elegance you couldn’t find anywhere else on TV at the time. That’s a fact.
Night Flight - Visions of Platinum Part 1
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Welcome to part 1 of Visions of Platinum! We look at the top selling artists of today (1985!). You'll see videos from best selling artists Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, ACDC, and Kiss. We also speak to the producers behind some classic records Nil Rodgers producer of David Bowie and Duran Duran, Phil Ramone, the main producer of Billy Joel and Julian Lennon, and Madonna's producer Jellybean Benitez.
Night Flight - Visions of Platinum Part 2
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Welcome to part 2 of Visions of Platinum! We look at the top selling artists of today (1985!). You'll see videos from best selling artists Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, ACDC, and Kiss. We also speak to the producers behind some classic records Nile Rodgers producer of David Bowie and Duran Duran, Phil Ramone, the main producer of Billy Joel and Julian Lennon, and Madonna's producer Jellybean Benitez.
Night Flight - Video Gallery: Sex
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Sex in music video form featuring censored and uncensored videos from David Bowie, Mary Jane Girls, Miquel Brown, Duran Duran, and more...
Night Flight - "Take Off" to Androgyny
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Night Flight's innovative "Take Off" series dispensed with playlists, bland VJ set-ups and the usual tired video countdown format and instead cleverly programmed music videos and performance clips by theme. The series regularly featured hits from Eighties pop icons juxtaposed against obscurities from many not-ready-for-MTV cult favorites. Original Air Date: 4-13-84 This episode "Take Off to Androgyny" premiered in 1984 and takes a provocative peek at gender-bending styles and comic cross-dressing in vintage video from the vaults featuring many pop icons such as David Bowie, Eurythmics, Grace Jones, Culture Club & Queen.
Night Flight - Visions of Superstars
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Visions was an original series of 'Yesterday and Today' type music video features covering Sting, Beach Boys, Robert Plant, Bob Dylan and David Bowie/Mick Jagger. Hidden David Lynch interview inside as well!
Night Flight - Video Gallery: Sex
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Sex in music video form featuring censored and uncensored videos from David Bowie, Mary Jane Girls, Miquel Brown, Duran Duran, and more...
David Bowie (1996 Interview)
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From Marc Scarpa: Back in 1996 I had the honor to interview David Bowie just after his 50th birthday party @ MSG for c|net when I was working as the NY Bureau chief. We talked for about two hours about a variety of subjects including artists he liked and technology he was using at the time. In short, it was a day I will not forget. Thank you David for being such a great influence and a generous soul.
TV Party: Documentary
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In 1978, two revolutionary trends emerged in New York City, public access cable TV and punk rock. These two phenomena came together spectacularly in Glenn O'Brien's TV Party. Hipsters tuned in to follow the antics of the TV Party gang and such guests as Iggy Pop, David Bowie, P-Funk's George Clinton, The Clash's Mick Jones, Kid Creole, Klaus Nomi were featured; also live performances.
Night Flight - The The Video Profile
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Tonight’s original Night Flight episode is Video Profile of The The, featuring the broadcast premiere of the band's video-album, Infected. Matt Johnson’s 1986 music video opus, described by host Pat Prescott as a “hard-hitting musical statement shot around the globe,” features the work of directors Tim Pope (The Cure), Peter Christopherson (Coil), Mark Romanek (Michael Jackson's "Scream") and many more. “Infected” is our anthem in these unreasonable times right now.
Night Flight - Divine Profile
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"Hi, I'm Divine. And tonight we're going to be taking a looking at my career, from the early years in Pink Flamingos, to my performances and right up to my current hollywood film." He was one of america's most glamorous, campiest, and outrageous movie queens and Night Flight's interview is one of the most treasured parts of our library. Watch Divine discuss the legacy of Pink Flamingos, meeting John Waters and more, tonight!
Night Flight - "Take Off" to Elvis
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Welcome to Night Flight! Tonight, we “Take Off” to Elvis. Ever since his 1956 debut, Elvis Aaron Presley has provoked more passion, more controversy and more adoration than anyone else in the history of Rock. Literally, the King. Fine Young Cannibal's Roland Gift sits down with Night Flight to discuss the sacredness of Elvis and the riskiness of their cover "Suspicious Minds."
Night Flight - "Take Off" to Heavy Metal Comedy
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"Boy isn't heavy metal a lot of fun!" says Mr. Bill at the start of Night FLight's special "Take Off" to Heavy Metal Comedy, (before an untimely death by anvil.) And Mr. Bill is right: Heavy Metal is a reliably comedic genre, intentional or not. This episode kicks off with Alcatrazz's "God Blessed," a satire of MTV that doomed its chances of airplay on that channel, (but of course got play on Night Flight), Keel's "Right to Rock", Accept's kaleidoscopic video for "Midnight Mover," Japanese rockers Loudness and Ireland's Mama's Boys.
Night Flight - "Take Off" to Country Jam and Duran Duran Video Profile
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"Take Off" to Country Jam features Nashville faves such as Ricky Skaggs, Dwight Yoakam, KD Lang, Hank Williams Jr and others. Following that is Night Flight's Video Profile of the most glamorous pop stars to come from Birmingham, England- none other than Duran Duran.
Night Flight - Visions of Music and Fashion Part 1
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Everyone's invited to this massive survey of 80s music and fashion. Jump right in to relive the iconic movements represented over the decade.
Night Flight - "Take Off" to Summer Fun
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Pat Prescott let's us know its "party time in the sun, with food, sand, women and water." Night Flight Take's off to Summer Fun is an eclectic mix of classic Night Flight Zannies, summer-centric music videos and a Mr. Bill segment tucked inside. Dive in!
Night Flight - Traveling Wilburys Video Profile
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Welcome to tonight’s new original arrival: a 1988 special profile of The Traveling Wilbury’s. The a British–American supergroup consisting of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty, gets the complete Night Flight treatment with a look at the groups signature songs and individual output from the 80s.
The Bathtub
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An eccentric, introverted man (Bob Bert of Sonic Youth) goes on an adventure in his bathtub. As he explores a warped and lopsided world, he chooses to ignore his surroundings in favor of his favorite comic book. Others around him react to his presence with lust, jealousy, desperation and violence while he remains blissfully naive. Winner of the 2020 LA Punk Film Festival's "Best Animated Film" award.
Night Flight - Flash Tracks and Video Vault (1988)
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This 1988 episode of Night Flight's 'Video Flash Tracks' features looks at Australian political rockers Midnight Oil, sensual techno-pop pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and Western New York's 10,000 Maniacs, "a small town band with a densley populated name," Pat Prescott says, before featuring a lost interview with Natalie Merchant. The episode's Side B is a classic Night Flight Video Vault featuring Devo, Grace Jones, and The Talking Heads.
A Night Flight Special - Prince Video Profile
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Video hits from Prince and affiliated acts such as Morris Day and The Time and the late, great Vanity.
Night Flight - Sade Video Profile
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“It’s a quiet storm…” Nigerian-born fashion designer turned singer Sade is the subject of tonight’s Video Profile. Pat Prescott starts us off with an introduction to the “smooth and sexy high priestess of soul,” before jumping into a Sade mega-mix cut with exclusive interviews with the artist from the Night Flight studio (originally filmed in 1985). In her interview segment, Sade talks about her record Diamond Life and finally provides instructions to the American audience on how to pronounce her name.
Night Flight - "Take Off" to New York
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Tonight we’re going to turn your living room into the after hours club of your dreams. Not only are you on the A list, you’ve got a ringside seat to the hottest talent The Big Apple has to offer. That’s right, tonight we “Take Off” to New York City Rock, featuring Lou Reed, The Ramones, Blondie, Grandmaster Flash, Yoko Ono, Run DMC and more. From the Velvet Underground in the ‘60s, to the Punk Explosion in the ‘70s and the ascendance of Rap in the '80s, let Night Flight be your guide to the metropolis that has it all.
Night Flight - Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Video Profile
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Tonight’s Video Profile looks at Minneapolis writers, performers, and legendary super producers: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Bassist Terry Lewis met Keyboard player Jimmy Harris when they were handpicked by Prince for one of Minneapolis's great spinoff bands: The Time. "C...O...O...L"! Night Flight takes us through a tour of classics the pair wrote and produced from Janet Jackson, Human League, Herb Albert, Force MD's "Tender Love," (Above) and Robert Palmer's cover of the duo's Cherrelle classic "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On."
Thousands Watch
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A man threatens to commit suicide off a tall building.
Radio 1990 (5/1/84)
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Episode 278. An episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring George Clinton, Tony Carey, Tracey Ullman, and more.
The Slump
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Directed by Peter Litvin. Discover Hollywood's dark side.
New Wave Theatre - Show 9 (1982)
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Examining and monitoring LA's new music renaissance with host Peter Ivers. "Welcome to New Wave Theatre. Monitoring the new music scene is a discovery into the minds and artistic souls of its artists... one of the last roads to freedom left is through the world of art and entertainment." Featuring Fear, Powertrip, Carnival of Souls, Red Wedding and more…
Night Flight - "Take Off" to Patriotism
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This 1987 relic of pride and passion for America features videos from Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Brown, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band and more.
Mirage
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A man in the desert encounters a soda fountain.
Night Flight - "Take Off" to Metal 2
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“Heavy Metal is a musical reaction against the mellow love generation of the 1960s,” Pat Prescott tells us. Tonight’s 1984 Night Flight Original takes us away from this world for a history lesson in Metal with classics from Black Sabbath and Judas Priest and '80s arrivals in Heavy Metal of different varieties: German, (Accept, Scorpion), Woman-Fronted (Rock Goddess, Girlschool) and much more.  Watch in our “Take Offs” section tonight!
Night Flight - New Sounds (1985)
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“Night Flight goes beyond 'Corporate Rock' for New Sounds!" From the Night Flight archives, here’s an early iteration of our New Sounds format form 1985. Featuring music from the unstoppable Nina Hagen, Washington D.C.'s raw rhythm based Go-Go Movement leaders Mass Extension, post-punk and synthesized pop by Germany's Propaganda, and supergroup Shriekback's high concept music video for their single "Nemesis."
Night Flight - "Take Off" to Eroticism
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Hottt videos from heavy headliners Madonna, Rod Stewart, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Queen and Van Halen are highlights from this epic installment of Night Flight's "Take Off" from late 1984.

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