In this “highly entertaining snapshot of a wild-frontier moment in pop culture” (Rolling Stone), discover the wild and explosive true story of the early years of MTV directly from the original VJs. Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn (along with the late J. J. Jackson) had front-row seats to a cultural revolution—and the hijinks of pop music icons like Adam Ant, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Duran Duran—as the first VJs on the fledgling network MTV. From partying with David Lee Roth to flying on Bob Dylan’s private jet, they were on a breakneck journey through a music revolution. Boing beyond the compelling behind the scenes tales of this unforgettable era, VJ is also a coming-of-age story about the 1980s, its excesses, controversies, and everything in between. “At last—the real inside story of the MTV explosion that rocked the world, in all its giddy excess, from the video pioneers who saw all the hair, drugs and guitars up close. VJ is the wild, hilarious, addictive tale of how one crazy moment changed pop culture forever” (Rob Sheffield, New York Times bestselling author).

A major change has taken place at dance clubs worldwide: the advent of the VJ. Once the term denoted the presenter who introduced music videos on MTV, but now it defines an artist who creates and mixes video, live and in sync to music. This book looks at the artists at the forefront of this amazing audio-visual experience.

My book is written by my mother, who communicated with me successfully in ways not even we understood. Since I was nonverbal and had other developmental disabilities from birth, I could never express my thoughts or wishes in words. My mother worked a job and cared for me by herself since my father was killed when I was a baby. After my father’s death, we moved to Chapel Hill-Carrboro, NC where excellent social services, medical services, psychological services, and educational services are available. Through the school system and other agencies there, I was involved in many programs and services. We were blessed to have caring people and services available to make our life together possible in a home setting where we had friends and family nearby. She cared for me at home until I was an adult, and then I lived in a group home and later a facility where she visited me regularly. My mother is also limited in some abilities, but never let that hinder her persistent pursuit of best care and experiences available to help me become the best VJ.

The Night VJ Got Saved is a true story based on the life of the author's son, Vincent Green, a.k.a. VJ, who, one night after a church service, gave his heart to Jesus. There are experiences in life you'll never forget, and those of you that have made the choice to accept Jesus's love know what I mean. There's nothing like feeling the presence of the Lord. In his presence is a joy and a peace that surpasses all understanding. It's one of those experiences you have to experience for yourself. I pray that as parents and children read The Night VJ Got Saved, it reminds you of your personal experience when you gave your heart to Jesus and to create a desire for him in those who don't know Jesus as their personal savior!

HE MADE THE WORLD HIS UNIVERSITY “Doing things better, every day” defines his life. A swimmer in the open sea, he has been trekking through places like Kailash, Mansarovar, Mount Kilimanjaro, to name a few and playing tennis for past many years. A certified pilot and diver, he is an avid traveller, travelled to far-offs like Arctic and Antarctica. How does Mr. Vishram Jadva Patel switch to being a builder of some of the most outstanding sites, an industrialist to look up to, an indispensible connect between India and Africa and a charismatic person?

75 years ago, Americans and the Allied forces around the globe cheered, cried, and danced with relief to celebrate the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II, the most devastating conflict in human history. But as this special edition from LIFE demonstrates in vivid detail, the road to Allied victory in the Pacific and the subsequent end to the war was tortuous and fraught with uncertainty: from the crushing blow of Pearl Harbor, through savage bloodbaths at sea and on teeming jungle islands, and culminating with an apocalyptic weapon that still casts a shadow over humanity. Told through the vivid photography that defines LIFE and accompanying text, LIFE The Road to VJ Day reminds readers of the sacrifices made decades ago, and how they still resonate today.

A review of history, antiquities and topography in the county.