MTV Icon (stylized as mtv:ICON) is a series of annual television specials produced by MTV between 2001 and 2004, each paying homage to a musical artist or band selected as a cultural icon, in a format similar to the network's annual Video Music Awards and Movie Awards events. A live audience of musicians, celebrities, and fans would view a biographical film depicting the career of that year's chosen icon, interspersed by celebrity introductions and live performances of popular artists playing cover versions of the icon's songs. The iconic artist would then accept an award and perform a live set of their own at the close of the show. The series celebrated Janet Jackson in 2001, Aerosmith in 2002, Metallica in 2003, and The Cure in 2004.
American pop singer Janet Jackson was selected as MTV's inaugural Icon, in an event held in Los Angeles, California. [1] Performers at the ceremony included 'N Sync, Pink, Usher, Outkast, Destiny's Child, Macy Gray, Mýa and Buckcherry. [1] Celebrity presenters included Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Aaliyah, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. [1] Jackson herself concluded the event with a performance of her Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "All for You". [1] The event was the highest rated television show of the night among the female 12-24 demographic, ahead of all broadcast and cable programs. [2] MTV decided to develop the special as an annual franchise for other artists following the event's success. [2] The show was held at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City.
Performer(s) | Song(s) |
---|---|
Outkast | "Ms. Jackson" |
Destiny's Child | "Let's Wait Awhile" |
Macy Gray | "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" |
'N Sync | "That's the Way Love Goes" |
Pink, Usher, and Mýa | Medley of "Miss You Much", "Alright", "The Pleasure Principle", "If" and "Rhythm Nation" |
Buckcherry | "Nasty" |
Janet Jackson | "All for You/You Ain't Right" |
In 2002 hard rock band Aerosmith was chosen as MTV's Icon. [3] MTV Entertainment President Brian Graden remarked that "Aerosmith is one of those very few bands whose influence pre-dates and spans the entire history of MTV. They have become a fixture at the network, and we are thrilled to be able to honor them in this fashion for their continuing contributions to music and music video." [3] The event began with the previous year's icon Janet Jackson delivering a testimonial about the band, and featured performances by The X-Ecutioners, Nelly, Ja Rule, DJ Clue, Sum 41, Pink, Shakira, Kid Rock, Train, and Papa Roach, concluding with a five-song set by Aerosmith themselves. [3] The show was held at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City.
Performer(s) | Song(s) |
---|---|
The X-Ecutioners | medley of "Sweet Emotion", "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)", "Love in an Elevator", and "Walk This Way" |
Nelly, Ja Rule, DJ Clue, and Sum 41 | "Walk This Way" |
Pink | "Janie's Got a Gun" |
Shakira | "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" |
Kid Rock | medley of "Mama Kin" and "Last Child" |
Train | "Dream On" |
Papa Roach | "Sweet Emotion" |
Aerosmith | "Movin' Out", "Toys in the Attic", "Cryin'", "Girls of Summer", and "Train Kept A-Rollin'" |
Heavy metal band Metallica was selected as MTV's Icon for 2003, with the event held in Universal City, California. [4] It featured performances by Sum 41, Staind, Avril Lavigne, Snoop Dogg, Korn, and Limp Bizkit, as well as celebrity appearances by Rob Zombie, Lisa Marie Presley, Jim Breuer, Sean Penn, and others. [4] The special concluded with Metallica performing a medley of songs from their early albums, spanning 1983 to 1991, followed by their most recent single, "Frantic". It was their first television appearance with bassist Robert Trujillo, who had joined the band just a few months prior. [4] MTV set up a website to promote the special, featuring testimonials by celebrities and musicians including Kelly Osbourne, Godsmack's Sully Erna, Ja Rule, and Linkin Park's Dave "Phoenix" Farrell and Chester Bennington. [5]
Performer(s) | Song(s) |
---|---|
Sum 41 | medley of "For Whom the Bell Tolls", "Enter Sandman", and "Master of Puppets" |
Staind | "Nothing Else Matters" |
Avril Lavigne | "Fuel" |
Snoop Dogg | "Sad but True" |
Korn | "One" |
Limp Bizkit | "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" |
Metallica | medley of "Hit the Lights", "Enter Sandman", "Blackened", "Creeping Death", and "Battery"; "Frantic" |
The 2004 MTV Icon special was held at the Old Billingsgate Market in London to a crowd of over 1,000 and named post-punk/gothic rock band The Cure as the icon of the year. [6] Marilyn Manson hosted the event, which featured Blink-182, AFI, Razorlight, and Deftones performing cover versions of Cure songs. [6] Cure frontman Robert Smith joined Blink-182 onstage to perform "All of This", a song he had sung on for their untitled 2003 album. [6] During set changes the audience were shown many of the band's music videos from throughout their career. [6] The Cure themselves closed the show by performing a number of songs including "Friday I'm in Love". [6] Their performances of "Taking Off", and "10:15 Saturday Night" were selected to be shown in the final broadcast, representing bookends of their career ("Taking Off" being their most recent single while "10:15 Saturday Night" was the first track on their 1979 debut album). Tim Weber of BBC News remarked of the performance that "from the first riff it was obvious that they have managed to haul their music firmly into the 21st century. The Cure may still be the masters of mourning, but their performance had an edge and drive that would do any nu metal band proud. Even old favourites like 'Friday I'm in Love' were—almost—purged of the popcorn sound of the New Wave 1980s." [6] MTV Icon: The Cure premiered October 31, 2004, on MTV2. [6]
Performer(s) | Song(s) |
---|---|
Blink-182 | "A Letter to Elise", "All of This" (with Robert Smith) |
AFI | "Just Like Heaven" |
Razorlight | "Boys Don't Cry" |
Deftones | "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep" |
The Cure | "Friday I'm in Love", "Taking Off", and "10:15 Saturday Night" |
Metallica is an American heavy metal band. The band was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The band's fast tempos, instrumentals and aggressive musicianship made them one of the founding "big four" bands of thrash metal, alongside Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer. Metallica's current lineup comprises founding members and primary songwriters Hetfield and Ulrich, longtime lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo. Guitarist Dave Mustaine, who formed Megadeth after being fired from Metallica, and bassists Ron McGovney, Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted are former members of the band.
MTV is an American cable television channel. It was officially launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group, part of Paramount Media Networks, a division of Paramount Global.
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreography became a catalyst in the growth of MTV, enabling her to rise to prominence while breaking gender and racial barriers in the process. Lyrical content which focused on social issues and lived experiences set her reputation as a role model for youth.
Aerosmith is an American rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (guitar). Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has also incorporated elements of pop rock, heavy metal, glam metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many subsequent rock artists. Aerosmith is sometimes referred to as "the Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". The primary songwriting team of Tyler and Perry is sometimes referred to as the "Toxic Twins".
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VH1 is an American Basic Cable television network that launched on January 1, 1985, and is currently owned by the BET Media Group subsidiary of Paramount Global's CBS Entertainment Group based in New York City. The network was originally owned by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment; a division of Warner Communications, and the original owner of then-sister channel MTV at the time. It was launched in the channel space of Turner Broadcasting System short-lived Cable Music Channel.
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The Velvet Rope Tour was the third concert tour by American recording artist Janet Jackson. Launched in support of her sixth studio album The Velvet Rope (1997), the tour visited Europe, North America, Japan, New Zealand, Africa, and Australia. Jackson was inspired to create an autobiographical show using elements of Broadway theatre, portraying her struggle with depression and self-esteem. The tour's stage production was developed as a storybook setting, allowing spectators to cross beyond her "velvet rope" and experience her life story through the evolution of her musical career. It consists of twenty-six songs, several band interludes, and intense choreography along with nine costume changes and four sets. Jackson depicts themes such as burlesque and domestic violence among the show's complex production of pyrotechnics and theatrics.
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