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.

“She was born Norma Jeane Baker in 1926,” Pat Prescott says at the start of tonight’s new Video Profile, “but as Marilyn Monroe, she became a sex symbol that millions of women modeled themselves after and millions of men dreamed about.” Night Flight’s tribute to the icon features Monroe’s 1950 original screen test with Richard Conte for 20th Century Fox’s “Cold Shoulder" and a mix ‘80s musicians that carried the torch: including the Night Flight-staple "She Went Pop" from Synth Pop from Iam Siam in the Zbigniew Rybczyński-directed video (below), 'Blitz Clubber' and Boy George associate Marilyn's single "You Don't Love Me," and more.

Tonight’s Night Flight Original Episode is from our “Video Artist” series, focusing on the animation and film art of Herbert Wentscher. The German video artist sources a variety of media for his projects: Super 8 footage, painting, and ancient iconography. “Eventually, everything gets blended into the video medium” he says to Night Flight interviewer and writer, Stuart Samuels.The episode includes his piece “SuperFaust” which features the german cultural icon Ampelmann, the country's universal green walk symbol (above), interpreted through Goethe’s Faust. 

Night Flight's 1989 Video Profile of "The Man and The Band" Bon Jovi, who made "Metal-lite safe for teenage consumption" according to Pat Prescott, arrives tonight on Night Flight Plus. The late-era Night Flight special episode covers all the essential Jovi Cuts, including the original videos from the New Jersey native for "Runaway," "In And Out Of Love," and more.

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!

This Night Flight original episode from our 1983 season is rife with deep cuts and nostalgic video gems from a lost era. The highlight is of course, Nameneko Punk Rock Kittens which features cats in punk outfits on cat-sized diorama sets (known as Perlorian cats in the US) created by photographer and artist Satoru Tsuda. These feline punkers join the ranks of other zoological video oddities like Dog Police and Fish Heads that were seared into the dazed minds of teenagers up way past their bedtime in the '80s.

“Their music was devil’s music: high decibel, tortured, frenzied songs about Death, Destruction and Black Magic.” Welcome to Night Flight’s 1984 Take Off to Heavy Metal History with a look at metal forgers Black Sabbath. We go back to the 1970s for classic Sabbath, trace the development of Ozzy Osbourne and Ronny James Dio from their days as Black Sabbath’s lead singers to their solo careers in the mid 80s as “Rock’s Top MadMen.” We’ve heard from many of you that your first exposure to BS was late at night on Night Flight, so consider this your return trip home to some 35 years ago. If you are a Black Sabbath original line-up purist and Dio isn't your thing, may we suggest the Black Sabbath Video Profile for another excellent episode?

"New Age music is a global sound that reaches for the stars," says Pat Prescott in tonight's brand new Night Flight Short Cut. The best in New Age music is rounded up in this bite-sized Night Flight episode, featuring classics from Bowie collaborator Carlos Alomar as well as Yellow Jackets and Al Di Meola.

“Rock music continues to have a close connection with contemporary politics,” host Pat Prescott says at the top of this newly restored "Take Off" episode. From Bob Dylan’s political symbolism to Nena’s apocalyptic pop, this 1984 episode traces the music and politics across a rapidly shifting global landscape.

In her official Night Flight interview, Wendy O. Williams stakes her claim as the “heaviest woman in heavy metal,” establishing a metal creed rooted in raw energy and self-expression. From recording with Gene Simmons to trading vocals with Lemmy, this treasure from the Night Flight vault finds the icon channeling a loud, unfiltered worldview that's entirely her own.

In this essential Night Flight interview, John Waters reflects on the transgressive ethos that defines his filmmaking. He recounts his humble beginnings touring prints from the trunk of his car, the neighborhood Baltimore crew of collaborators including Divine (“I don't trust anybody that hasn't been arrested at least once”), and a career built on offending multiple generations. A timeless snapshot of a Night Flight icon, and the perfect way to celebrate ten years of the streaming channel!

An intimate performance and conversation with legendary guitarist and inventor Les Paul, filmed August 21, 1991, at New York’s famed Fat Tuesday’s. In this candid interview with the guitar icon, Paul explains the philosophy that led to the solid-body guitar that bears his name and reshaped modern music: “All the inventions that I made were made out of necessity because there just wasn’t one around.”

Van Halen video music highlights bookended by entertaining bites from incorrigible singer David Lee Roth's interview with Lisa Robinson. An excellent survey of the band in pure Radio 1990 style.

We get set for the New Year in 1984 as Lisa Robinson previews a video art star studded PBS broadcast, discusses the secrets behind a new The Go-Go's album, and music videos from Prince and John Cougar Mellancamp.

Welcome to Radio 1990! Today Lisa Robinson concludes her exclusive interview with Gene Simmons of Kiss, Kathryn Kinley brings news on the Pointer Sisters, the fashions of MarcBouwer, and music from Toni Basil, Ratt and more!

Kicking off with Lisa Robinson's inside scoop on Debbie Harry's 1983 Broadway debut, this April 12th, 1983 is definitive Radio 1990.  Tracks from Culture Club, Gary Numan, and a flashback to Ike and Tina Turner's epic performance of Honky Tonk Woman on BeatClub, soundtrack this excellent episode.

You can truly appreciate the value of our library as you see in our April 13th, 1983 episode, Lisa Robinson talks about a secretive Talking Heads film in the works, a certain "concert film." Of course, that title in question is 1984's Stop Making Sense. Revisit this time capsule covering '80s fashion trends and music from Eddie Rabbitt, The Waitresses, Blancmange, Lords of the New Church, Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty. 

A classic episode of Radio 1990 (from 1984) arrives on Night Flight Plus. Lisa Robinson interviews Mick Jagger, Kathryn Kinley looks at the Hot Sports Illustrated of the Year and music videos (then known as video music) from Elton John, Bob Seger and The Rolling Stones.

Welcome to Radio 1990, bringing you the latest news from the world of entertainment and today's best music videos. In this episode, Lisa Robinson shares sad news for any The Who fans out there, previews a new Mel Brooks episode and videos from Hall and Oates, Men at Work and 1983's #2 power cut from "The Album Network" countdown.

Welcome to Radio 1990, today we present a very special video profile on The Rolling Stones. Featuring Lisa Robinson’s exclusive interview with Bill Wyman. “There has never been another rock and roll band quite like The Rolling Stones,” Host Kathryn Kinley explains, before launching into video roll of some the band’s best. Check it out!

Episode 158 - 10/28/83 Welcome to Radio 1990. The Future is here today with Radio 1990. Tonight Lisa Robinson concludes our interview with John Cougar Mellencamp, with his latest video hit ‘Crumbling Down,’ with more on The Moody Blues, Earth Wind and Fire and a look at the 1983 film “The Right Stuff.”

Episode 270. An original episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring Cyndi Lauper, Blondie and Modern English.

Episode 272. An original episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring Tracy Ullman, Devo and Lisa Robinson's interview with Mick Jagger.

Episode 269. An original episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring The Go-Go's, Yes and Van Halen.

Episode 287. An episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring Duran Duran, Paul Simon, The Pretenders and more.

Episode 268. An episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring R.E.M, Rockwell and Marvin Gaye.

Episode 286. An episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring Wang Chung, The Alan Parsons Project, and a summer movie preview.

Episode 267. An episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring Missing Persons, Bruce Springsteen and more.

Episode 266. An episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring Billy Joel, the president of CBS Records and a Summer movie preview.

Episode 285. An episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring Kool & The Gang, The Cars, and more.

Episode 276. An episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring The Icicle Works, Bonnie Tyler and an interview with Brian Setzer.

Episode 278. An episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring George Clinton, Tony Carey, Tracey Ullman, and more.

Episode 284. An original episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring Girlschool, Hotsox Fashion, and Billy Joel (it was his birthday!)

Episode 281. An episode of Radio 1990 from 1984 featuring Duran Duran, Nena, and a Billy Idol interview.