The document provides a history of key moments from MTV Video Music Awards ceremonies between 1984 and 2014. Some highlights include: - In 1984, Madonna's performance of "Like a Virgin" in a wedding dress was controversial. - In 1987, Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" won a record number of awards including Video of the Year. - Over the years, performances by Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Kanye West, and others caused controversies or made memorable debuts. - Awards, performances, and host comments have reflected the artists and music of the time period for each VMA ceremony over three decades.

1. HISTORY OF THE MTV
VMAS

2. 1984
In 1984, The very first MTV Video Music Awards was held in New York. Madonna performed her hit "Like
A Virgin" wearing a combination bustier/wedding gown, including her trademark "Boy Toy" belt. During
her performance, she rolled around on the floor, revealing lacy stockings and a garter.

3. 1987
In 1987, At the fourth annual MTV Video Music Awards, Peter Gabriel's video
"Sledgehammer" won 10 awards, including the Video Vanguard Award and Video of the
Year, holding the VMA record for most Moonmen in a single night.

4. 1989
In 1989, American Comic Andrew Dice Clay banned as introduced Cher using a vulgar
nursery rhyme. Bon Jovi performed a stripped back performance then leading to MTV
Unplugged.
When Madonna won the Viewer's Choice Award sponsored by Pepsi-Cola, she thanked
Pepsi-Cola in her acceptance speech "for causing so much controversy". Pepsi-Cola had
paid Madonna $5 million to appear in a commercial that would predominantly feature
the world premiere of "Like a Prayer"; the commercial, titled "Make a Wish", depicted
Madonna drinking Pepsi and watching a home video of her eighth birthday. The tone
that the commercial sought to convey sharply contrasted with the music video. When
Pepsi executives saw the video, they yanked the advertisement after only two airings, in
an attempt to dissociate themselves from Madonna.

5. 1991
◦ 1991 During the award show the MTV Video Vanguard Award was renamed to the Michael Jackson
Video Vanguard Award from then on, due to his incomparable contribution to music video by
changing them from a promotional tool featuring musicians playing instruments and singing, to a
piece of art with a storyline, or as Jackson liked to put as 'short films'. His video Thriller influenced and
changed music videos into what it is like today.
◦ There was also a fight between Bret Matthews and Cisi Leville – both from the same band, Poison.

6. 1994
◦ Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley received a standing ovation as they walked on
stage hand-in-hand. After turning to the audience and proclaiming, "And just think,
nobody thought this would last," Jackson grabbed Presley and kissed her.

7. 1995
◦ Michael Jackson performed for over fifteen minutes to a medley of his main songs,
including "Scream.", and danced his signature moves, including the robot, moonwalk
and the relatively unknown "Bankhead Bounce".

8. 1996
◦ Oasis performed 'Champagne Supernova', with lead vocalist Liam Gallagher making
rude gestures at brother Noel as he was playing his guitar solo, then spitting beer all
over the stage before storming off.

9. 1997
◦ Puff Daddy released his debut album No Way Out, featuring the successful tribute
single "I'll Be Missing You", dedicated to the recently murdered Notorious B.I.G. The song
featured Puff Daddy, Biggie's widow Faith Evans and R&B group 112. The song sampled
the melody of The Police's hit song "Every Breath You Take." All these artists performed
the song with former Police vocalist Sting.

10. 2001
◦ Britney Spears performed, ‘I’m a Slave’, which caused controversy due to the fact she
brought live animals on stage.

11. 2002
◦ The VMAs took place on Michael Jackson's birthday, and as a tribute, Britney Spears
introduced him saying she "considered him the artist of the millennium." Jackson said,
"When I was a little boy growing up in Indiana if someone told me I'd be getting 'the
artist of the millennium award,' I'd have never believed it, causing an extremely painful
awkward moment to watch.

12. 2003
◦ Beyoncé made a memorable entrance, descending upside down from the rafters at
Radio City Music Hall. Knowles performed "Baby Boy" as she was gently lowered to the
stage, dressed in harem pants. She was later joined by Jay-Z as they performed their
duet "Crazy in Love." The performance marked Knowles's solo debut.

13. 2004
◦ The MTV Video Music Awards were held at the American Airlines Arena in Miami,
Florida. This was the first time the awards show was held outside of New York City and
Los Angeles. It was the first video music awards to not have a host.

14. 2008
◦ Host Russell Brand commented on Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, begging
the audience to vote for him. Brand called President George W. Bush a "retarded cowboy" and
claimed Bush "wouldn't be trusted with a pair of scissors in Britain.”

15. 2009
◦ Taylor Swift won Best Female video for "You Belong with Me." During her acceptance speech, rapper
Kanye West unexpectedly showed up on stage. Taking the microphone from Swift, he announced
"Yo Tay, I'm really happy for you, and Imma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of
all time. One of the best videos of all time!“ MTV cut away from the stage, showing Beyoncé with an
embarrassed look. West was removed for the rest of the show

16. 2011
◦ During Kanye West and Jay-Z's surprise performance of "Otis", a man ran onto the stage but was
quickly taken off by security.

17. 2013
Justin Timberlake's "Mirrors" won the Video of The Year, making him the first male solo artist to win this
category since Eminem in 2002 with "Without Me". Timberlake also became the second artist to earn the
Video Vanguard Award and the award for Video of the Year in the same night since Peter Gabriel in
1987. To celebrate his Video Vanguard Award, Timberlake reunited with his former band, 'N Sync, during
his 15-minute medley performance. Their hits "Girlfriend" and "Bye Bye Bye" were part of the setlist.
Miley Cyrus' performance of her song "We Can't Stop" featured the former child star entering the stage
through a giant teddy bear wearing a one-piece bodice with a teddy bear styled on it. The singer
performed with a group of back-up dancers dressed as giant bears before singer Robin Thicke joined
Cyrus on stage to perform his song "Blurred Lines". Cyrus then stripped down to a flesh coloured bikini
and proceeded to perform her signature twerking dance moves, simulating sex with Thicke and groping
his genitals with a giant foam finger.

18. 2014
◦ Beyoncé closed the show by performing a 16-minute medley of multiple songs from her self-titled fifth
studio album. After the performance, Jay Z and her daughter Blue presented the Video Vanguard
Award to her.