"Headbangers Ball"

[Woops]

MTV's popular metal showcase "Headbangers Ball", which featured hard rock, glam, heavy, & thrash metal videos aired from 1987 to 1995. During it's first year it had various hosts from musicians to other MTV VJs. Adam Curry became a full time host in 1988 to 1990. Riki Rachtman became the host in 1990 for it's entire run.

"The Ball" was a successor to "Heavy Metal Mania", which was a monthly show hosted by Dee Snider of Twisted Sister (1985/1986).


Excerpts of an episode from April 25, 1987 featuring Leslie West of Mountain & Howard Stern (with videos from Megadeth, Twisted Sister, & Ratt) from MTV site


Clip featuring Guns N' Roses "redecorating" the set of "The Ball" (October 24, 1987) from MTV site


Rock City Angels' Bobby Durango interview & "Deep Inside My Heart" video (October 22, 1988), from Rock City Angels official YouTube channel

Few clips of Ozzy Osbourne & Zakk Wylde as guest VJs on  "Headbangers Ball" Christmas show (December 24, 1988) from Ozzy's official YouTube channel

Mucky Pup "U Stink But I Love U" with  Adam Curry intro (1989), from Mucky Pup official YouTube channel

XYZ's Terry Ilous & Pat Fontaine interview (October 5, 1991), from XYZ official YouTube channel


Riki Rachtman interview and brief clips of him pelted with a cupcake, tossed into a pool, etc. (MTV2 incarnation/June 14, 2003), from MTV site

"Headbangers Ball" tribute site, which contain episode lists & playlists from it's original run.

[Woops]

It's a bit ironic that MTV is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the popular MTV hard rock/metal showcase "Headbangers Ball" since it first aired in 1987!!!!!, but atleast they somewhat remember... though Moronic TV clone MTV2.

Don't think they'll air vintage videos since most are now considered a "joke" (well, in the '90's) and even if they do, they'll just mix a few  Motley Crue & Def Leppard videos with current emo videos and whatever else is popular in the moment.

Not to mention "Metal Mania" on VH1 Classic.  

On 2003 it returned to MTV2, but with mostly  thrash, speed, current metal, which  I'm not into.

Well, like MTV2 mixing old school hip hop with current junk several months ago when they celebrated the 20th anniversary of "Yo! MTV Raps", they're probably doing it now with vintage metal  and current emo, current metal bands, or whatever...  Or just focusing on early '90's alternative bands that appeared on the show.

From the article, appears to me more focused on thrash/speed metal. Though only familiar with three bands mentioned.


What about Ozzy, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Van Halen (not sure if they were considered metal), Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Quiet Riot,  Guns N' Roses, etc. Then again, this is MTV2... the same network that mostly air  leftovers from Moronic TV  
 

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MTV's 'Headbanger's Ball' Celebrating 20th Anniversary With Special Programming - Oct. 8, 2008  
 
MTV2's "Headbanger's Ball", the longest running show on the network celebrates its 20th anniversary with a bang. Beginning on October 20, "Headbanger's Ball" takes you on a hard rock journey with noteworthy interviews, archive footage from the past 20 years, a roundtable discussion from "Headbanger" VJs themselves, and many more.

"Headbanger's Ball", the hardest show in the world, which airs on approximately 400 channels worldwide, replaced "Heavy Metal Mania", helmed by Dee Snider of TWISTED SISTER fame. The "Ball"'s first long term host was Adam Curry who was then replaced by the one and only Riki Rachtman in 1990. Moving from MTV to its current home on MTV2, Jamey Jasta of HATEBREED fame took over the reigns and interviewed some of the sickest metal bands around. Jamey may be gone now, but keep on the look out constantly for special guests and the freshest videos on the web and TV. This week includes exclusive content and footage, killer music, and in-depth interviews. Some of these interviews include many of heavy metal's best such as METALLICA, MUDVAYNE, SHADOWS FALL, TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX and more.

Below are descriptions of the shows that are scheduled to air:

* "MTV Essential: Metallica" - Premiere: Monday at 11:00 p.m.

This special takes a look at the evolution of METALLICA and also catches up with the band now. New interviews discussing their new album "Death Magnetic" and also about their recent performance at Rock Am Ring festival.

* "Avenged Sevenfold: Live in LBC" – Premiere: Wednesday at 11:00 p.m.

This performance special from AVENGED SEVENFOLD's "Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough" DVD features the band's April 10, 2008 hometown show at the Long Beach Arena headlining the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour.

* "Best of Headbanger's Ball" Video Blocks - Premiere: Monday-Thursday at 10:00 p.m. / SLIPKNOT Video Premiere Saturday

Best moments from "Headbanger's Ball" will air along with classic metal videos which include the highly anticipated video from SLIPKNOT, "Dead Memories", and THE SWORD's "How Heavy The Axe".

* "Headbangers Ball" Special Anniversary Edition (2-hour) - Premiere: Saturday at 10:00 p.m.

This special is a roundtable discussion with some of "Headbangers"' most notable VJs such as Riki Rachtman, Dee Snider, and Jamey Jasta. They will discuss all things heavy metal, some archive "Headbanger" moments, and their favorite episodes. The show will also take a look back at some classic metal videos that have been featured on the program since the show's inception.

[Out of the Blue]

I'm really surprised that MTV is celebrating it at all considering how selective their memory of the past is.

[Woops]

"Best of Headbanger's Ball" (October 20th)

Actually suprising since they only aired classic videos like Ratt's "Round & Round", Whitesnake "Here I Go Again", and Cinderella "Nobody's Fool". With vintage  clips of  shock jock Howard Stern and Leslie West (from Mountain) from May 2, 1987.

What about that classic clip of Guns N' Roses trashing the set? Maybe later or on a retrospect special...


edited: the episode description isn't shown for Tuesday, which was stated to feature clips of a 1993 episode with Alice In Chains.

Though I don't consider them metal since they're more alternative.
 

[Woops]

Tuesday "Best of Headbanger's Ball"...

The only vintage clip shown was the classic set "remodeling" from Guns N' Roses from 1987. A few more would've been better.

Also a few short interview bits with Lars Ulrich (Metallica) and some guy (not familiar, but stated he watched it as a teen...guessing a current musician) reminiscing about the show.

As for the music videos, mostly thrash metal videos and a few '90's/current.

Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" aired.

Oddly, a video from The Ramones ("Pet Cemetary") and Suicidal Tendancies ("Institutionalized") also aired despite both are punk rock.

Nothing from hair bands like Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Dokken, or Poison.

[Woops]

Wednesday edition of "Best of Headbanger's Ball"


...same Guns N' Roses clip trashing the set (I'm sure there's more clips that could've been shown) and another brief current interview bit of somebody talking about the show

Sex Pistols "Anarchy In The UK" aired... Don't get me wrong, but it seems out of place.

What about Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Guns N' Roses, Def Leppard,  Dokken, or even earlier  thrash/speed metal  bands like Slayer (not a fan, but sure many would be pleased... then again, it's MTV2)... 

Tough classic metal videos aired on Monday and Ozzy on Tuesday.


Atleast they didn't air any early '90's alternative (Have to wait n' see...  ).


Metallica "Enter Sandman", OK that would do

Also what appears to be "current" videos...

[Woops]

Thursday's "Best of" featured clips of the 2000's incarnation that airs on MTV2 with Metallica hosting.

A few Metallica videos (ie "One") and the rest from this decade...

Like Mr. Horse from "Ren & Stimpy" would say, "No sir, I didn't like it".


Not to mention two days of mostly '90's/2000's videos, the same vintage "Headbanger's Ball" clip (ironically no videos from Guns N' Roses), and a few videos from artists that aren't even metal..

(well, same network that mostly airs Moronic TV leftovers like that Nick Cannon improve show).


There's no "Best of" in Firday

There's going to be a two hour "Headbanger's Ball: Special Anniversary Edition" on Saturday featuring some of the original VJs that will talk about their favorite moments, videos, etc.

[Out of the Blue]

I have to admit that I never watched the show when it was on.

[Woops]

The two hour special was boring since they didn't talk much and no classic clips from the show  (besides a very few brief during comments from thier short conversations...)... Not much of a "Special 20th Anniversary Edition" 

As for the videos, a mix of  some vintage metal and mostly videos from this decade. Also mostly  hardcore bands like Slayer & Anthrax.

No Def Leppard, Kiss, Dokken, Motley Crue, nor Guns N' Roses.

Though they aired Twisted Sister's "I Wanna Rock" at the end... since Dee Synder was one of the "original hosts" (he hosted 'Heavy Metal Mania" in 1986, which was a prototype of "Headbanger's Ball").


Well, they also  aired Judas Priest "You've Got Another Thing Coming", Iron Maiden "The Number Of The Beast", and a older clip of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" from "The Beat Club".

Oh, plus Alice In Chains "Man In The Box"... that's alternative!


Good thing for "Metal Mania" on VH1 Classic 


Rating for the "Headbanger's Ball 20th Anniversary" week, from 1 to 10 I'd give it a 3 for remembering and not airing any of the horrid "numetal" like Korn & Limp Bizkit that was popular a decade ago.

[Woops]

since it's the day before Halloween...

Watched an MTV "Nightmare On Elm Street" special (or whatever shown) on YouTube that featured videos with a horror theme, Kevin Seal,  commercials, and clips of the fourth sequel of the film.


Fatboys "Are You Ready For Freddy", never heard of the song before. Average. Though Freddy actually raps. (no joke)

The song's not as good like "A Nightmare On My Street" from DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince.


Vinnie Vincent Invasion "Love Kills", OK song but I like Dokken "Dream Warriors" better. Mostly the band performing with clips from the "Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master".

The Kevin Seal bits was funny, which he interviews Robert Englund (in character)

The ending of the interview appears to be cut off, which I assume that Seal still screams 'til the screen fades to black (or to the last video)  or that he wakes up and realizes it's all a  dream.


Even scarrier: the network 20 years from 1988 

Now to listen to Helloween's "Halloween"

[Out of the Blue]

It's popular to bash hair metal but I would take that any day to a lot of what passes for music now.

[Woops]

I actually enjoy watching more older hair metal videos than  many new wave/80's alternative on videos on "120 Minutes". Though I listen to a selection of songs/artists from both...

[Out of the Blue]

Most of those New Wave and alternative videos and songs from the '80s weren't very good but I do think they were better than what followed in the '90s.

[Woops]

"Remote Control" episode with Lorraine Lews (Femme Fatale), Charlie Benante (Anthrax), and Dizzy Dean (Britny Fox) is/was on YouTube. Worth checking, though probably Viacom probably will take it down.

Classic 

Note: Adam Sandler (Stud Boy, which was featured on the episode) was a regular on the show. Also Colin Quinn &  Kari Wuhrer

While it was entertaining, it was one of the early non music shows on MTV (though some music questions and the guessing the artists on the videos at the end).

[Out of the Blue]

"Remote Control" was the only non music show that MTV had on that I would watch.