Q&A with ex-MTV VJ Mark Goodman

Mark Goodman, along with MTV’s other three VJs who helped launch the music network in 1981, has written about his experiences at MTV in the early 1980s in “VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV’s First Wave.”  Mark has been in the radio and music business for 35 years, beginning in his hometown of Philadelphia at WMMR and later at WPLJ, New York City’s number one rock station. He joined the as yet unknown music video channel called MTV in 1981. As one of the five original VJs, Mark interviewed all the big names in music in the early 1980s – Paul McCartney, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Billy Idol, Carlene Carter, Mark Knopfler, Journey, Pointer Sisters, Richard Marx, Rick Springfield, Duran Duran, Jack Nicholson, Paul Schaeffer, Phil Collins and Genesis, Bryan Adams, Huey Lewis, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, David Bowie, Tom Petty and many others. He also hosted several special shows for the channel including “The Week In Rock,” “120 Minutes” and the first show ever syndicated to broadcast by MTV, “The Top 20 Video Countdown.”

What are the best books you’ve read recently?
“Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson and “The Forever War” by Dexter Fillkins.

What was your favorite book as a child?
“A Separate Peace” by John Knowles.

Why do you enjoy attending book festivals, either as a presenter or audience member?
Never have as a presenter. But it’s interesting to hear how people come up with their ideas for story lines, characters etc. With non fiction it’s great to get more in depth on the topic in person.

Have you been to the D.C. area before? If so, what is your favorite thing about it?
Yes. It’s great to feel as though you are in the seat of power in this country. Love the monuments and history.

What is the most difficult, or challenging, aspect of being a writer?
I have a terrible memory and ADD!