The first ever MTV Video Music Awards aired on Sept. 14, 1984. Back then, Apple had just introduced its Macintosh computer, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was the biggest album on the planet and Cabbage Patch Dolls were all the rage. In celebration of the 37th anniversary of the first MTV VMAs, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at 35 iconic photos from the inaugural show, starting with this shot of Madonna, who struck a pose after her epic VMA performance of "Like a Virgin." Keep reading for more!
Cyndi Lauper showed off her best female video Moonman trophy (for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun") at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Talk about a throwback! Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Michael Hall, Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth and the rock star's then-girlfriend, actress Sonia Braga, headed to an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Billy Idol — who scored five nominations for his "Dancing With Myself" and "Eyes Without a Face" videos — posed backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Tina Turner, who performed "What's Love Got to Do With It," was all smiles at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler hosted the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards. They're seen here during the telecast at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Presenters Daryl Hall and John Oates of the musical duo Hall & Oates posed together at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Eddie Murphy, who presented the video of the year prize, and then-fiancée Lisa Figueroa looked like a picture-perfect couple at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Alice Cooper and wife Sheryl Goddard held hands at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984. Fun fact: Alice and Sheryl are still together! They've been married for 43 years.
A blonde Cher served face at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Diana Ross cracked a smile with her manager at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at Tavern on the Green in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen held hands at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984. The couple married in 1981 and divorced in 2007.
"Law & Order: SVU" star Richard Belzer posed at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at Tavern on the Green in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984. We hardly recognize him without his gray hair!
Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes and his then-wife, Julie Anne Friedman, attended an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984. The couple divorced in 1992.
Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth and his then-girlfriend, actress Sonia Braga, showed off their pearly whites at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Jazz musician and composer Herbie Hancock is seen holding four of the five trophies he won for his "Rockit" video at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Ric Ocasek of The Cars posed backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984. His band's video for "You Might Think" won the night's biggest prize — video of the year.
Rockers Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood — former bandmates in both the Jeff Beck Group and Faces — along with Ronnie's future ex-wife Jo Karslake posed with family members during an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Then-New York City Mayor Ed Koch waved at the crowd while wearing a sparkly single glove during the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Then-newlyweds Dan Aykroyd and Donna Dixon stayed close at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984. The couple have now been married for more than 36 years.
Diana Ross and ZZ Top were all smiles at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at Tavern on the Green in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
The Who frontman Roger Daltrey posed at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Missing Persons frontwoman Dale Bozzio rocked an all-pink look at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Huey Lewis and the News lead singer Huey Lewis attended the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
"Blues Brothers" director John Landis and his wife, Deborah Nadoolman, looked head over heels in love at an afterparty for the MTV Video Music Awards at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984. The couple have been married for 39 years.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and future ex-wife Jo Wood — whom he married less than four months after this snapshot was taken — are seen at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth posed for a pic at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Madonna showed off her now-legendary all-white lace look backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
That's right, screenshots were a thing back in the '80s, albeit in a different way. This is a screenshot of Nick Rhodes and Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran presenting the best female video prize during the MTV Video Music Awards. It was shown at Rick Blume's VMAs afterparty in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Cher showed off her '80s-chic ensemble at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
Tina Turner showed off her radiant smile at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
The most nominated artist of the night — Cyndi Lauper, who had nine MTV VMA nods — posed with the Moonman trophy she won for best female video for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" backstage at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards.
Eddie Murphy was snapped at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at Tavern on the Green in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
"Night Shift" star Richard Belzer cracked a smile at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at Tavern on the Green in New York City on Sept. 14, 1984.
![Madonna, 1984 Mtv Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062481-1984-mtv-video-music-awards.jpg?w=700)
![Cyndi Lauper, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062463-cyndi-lauper.jpg?h=800)
![Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Michael Hall, David Lee Roth and Sonia Braga, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062467-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-hard-rock-caf.jpg?w=700)
![Billy Idol 1984 MTV Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062485-billy-idol-at-mtv-awards-show.jpg?h=800)
![Tina Turner, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062461-photo-of-tina-turner.jpg?h=800)
![Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062482-mtv-video-musc-awards-1984-new-york-usa.jpg?h=800)
![Hall & Oates, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062493-hall-oates.jpg?w=700)
![Eddie Murphy and Lisa Figueroa, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062465-eddie-murphylisa-figueroa.jpg?w=700)
![Alice Cooper and Sheryl Cooper, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062474-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-hard-rock-caf.jpg?h=800)
![Cher, MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062476-first-annual-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-hosted-b.jpg?h=800)
![Diana Ross, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062469-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-tavern-on-the.jpg?h=800)
![Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062462-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-hard-rock-caf.jpg?w=700)
![Richard Belzer, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062466-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-tavern-on-the.jpg?h=800)
![Nick Rhodes and Julie Anne Friedman](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062477-ron-galella-archive-file-photos-2010.jpg?h=800)
![David Lee Roth and Sonia Braga, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062472-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-hard-rock-caf.jpg?h=800)
![Herbie Hancock, 1984 MTV Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062488-herbie-hancock-holding-awards.jpg?h=800)
![Ric Ocasek, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062496-ric-ocasek-of-the-cars.jpg?h=800)
![Rod Stewart, Ron Wood and Josephine Wood, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062487-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-hard-rock-caf.jpg?h=800)
![Ed Koch, MTV Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062475-ed-koch-at-mtv-awards-at-radio-city.jpg?w=700)
![Dan Aykroyd and Donna Dixon, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062480-ron-galella-archive-file-photos-2010.jpg?h=800)
![Diana Ross and ZZ Top, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062486-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-tavern-on-the.jpg?w=700)
![Roger Daltrey, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062470-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-hard-rock-caf.jpg?h=800)
![Dale Bozzio, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062494-ron-galella-archive-file-photos-2009.jpg?w=700)
![Huey Lewis, MTV VMA](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062495-ron-galella-archive-file-photos-2010.jpg?h=800)
![John Landis and Deborah Nadoolman, MTV VMA](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062478-ron-galella-archive-file-photos-2009.jpg?h=800)
![Ronnie Wood and Josephine Wood, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062468-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-hard-rock-caf.jpg?h=800)
![David Lee Roth, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062491-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-hard-rock-caf.jpg?h=800)
![Madonna, 1984 Mtv Music Video Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062479-1984-mtv-music-video-awards.jpg?h=800)
![Nick Rhodes and Simon Le Bon, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062497-a-screen-shot-of-nick-rhodes-and-simon-le-bon-at-the-198.jpg?w=700)
![Cher, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062498-first-annual-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-hosted-b.jpg?h=800)
![Tina Turner, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062499-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-hard-rock-caf.jpg?h=800)
![Cyndi Lauper](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062489-cyndi-lauper-with-an-mtv-music-award-statuette.jpg?h=800)
![Eddie Murphy, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062500-1984-mtv-video-music-awards-after-party-at-tavern-on-the.jpg?w=700)
![Richard Belzer, 1984 MTV Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/1062483-party-for-first-annual-mtv-video-music-awards.jpg?h=800)
![Madonna, 1984 Mtv Video Music Awards](https://www.wonderwall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/gettyimages-2147795665.jpg?h=800)