MTV Icon

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The MTV Icon series logo MTV Icon logo.jpg
The MTV Icon series logo

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.

Contents

2001: Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson was the first artist to be named an "MTV Icon". JanetJacksonUnbreak 1797 (22751821917) (cropped).jpg
Janet Jackson was the first artist to be named an "MTV Icon".

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, ahead of all broadcast and cable programs among the youth demographic. [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.

Performances
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"

2002: Aerosmith

Aerosmith was chosen as the 2002 Icon. Aerosmith B.jpg
Aerosmith was chosen as the 2002 Icon.

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.

Performances
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'"

2003: Metallica

Metallica's performance on MTV Icon was their first television appearance with new bassist Robert Trujillo (left). Metallica live London 2003-12-19 (cropped).jpg
Metallica's performance on MTV Icon was their first television appearance with new bassist Robert Trujillo (left).

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]

Performances
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"

2004: The Cure

The Cure were the fourth and final act to be named an MTV Icon. The Cure live 2004.jpg
The Cure were the fourth and final act to be named an MTV Icon.

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]

Performances
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"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metallica</span> American heavy metal band

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV</span> American cable television channel

MTV is an American cable channel 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aerosmith</span> American rock band

Aerosmith is an American rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler, 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.”

This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV Video Music Awards</span> American music video awards (1984–present)

The MTV Video Music Awards is an award show presented by the cable channel MTV to honour the best in the music video medium. Originally conceived as an alternative to the Grammy Awards, the annual MTV Video Music Awards ceremony has often been called the "Super Bowl for youth", an acknowledgment of the VMA ceremony's ability to draw millions of youth from teens to 20-somethings each year. By 2001, the VMA had become a coveted award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy</span> 2004 controversy over indecent exposure on television

The Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show, which was broadcast live on February 1, 2004, from Houston, Texas, on the CBS television network, is notable for a moment in which Janet Jackson's right breast—adorned with a nipple shield—was exposed by Justin Timberlake to the viewing public. The incident, sometimes referred to as Nipplegate or Janetgate, led to an immediate crackdown and widespread discourse on perceived indecency in broadcasting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV Europe Music Awards</span> Musical awards

The MTV Europe Music Awards are awards presented by Paramount International Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture. It was originally conceived as an alternative to the MTV Video Music Awards, which are hosted annually in the United States. The Europe Music Awards are held every year in a different country; it has been hosted mostly in the United Kingdom. The annual presentation ceremony features performances by prominent artists, and the presentation of those awards that have a more popular interest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss You Much</span> 1989 single by Janet Jackson

"Miss You Much" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson. Composed by songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it was recorded for the singer's fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). As with all tracks for the album, recording took place at Lewis and Jam's Flyte Tyme Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota between 1988 and 1989. Lyrically, the song narrates a longing to reconnect with a romantic partner after time spent apart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dangerous World Tour</span> 1992–93 concert tour by Michael Jackson

The Dangerous World Tour was the second world concert tour by American singer Michael Jackson to promote his eighth studio album Dangerous. The tour was sponsored by Pepsi-Cola. All profits were donated to various charities including Jackson's own "Heal the World Foundation". It began in Munich, Germany, on June 27, 1992, and concluded in Mexico City, Mexico, on November 11, 1993, playing 69 concerts in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Jackson performed in stadiums across the world with all being sold out in countries in Asia, Latin America, and Europe. At the tour's end, it grossed over $140 million and was attended by 4,100,000 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Velvet Rope Tour</span> 1998–99 concert tour by Janet Jackson

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janet World Tour</span> 1993–95 concert tour by Janet Jackson

Janet World Tour was the second concert tour by American singer, performer, songwriter and dancer Janet Jackson. It was launched in support of her fifth studio album Janet (1993). It began in November 1993 and continued through April 1995. Concerts were held in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It is believed shows were performed in South America. However, there are not exact details and most information is unknown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration</span> 2001 concert show by Michael Jackson

The Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration was a 2001 concert show and television special by Michael Jackson. It was staged in Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 7 and 10, 2001. In late November 2001, the CBS television network aired the concerts as a two-hour special in honor of Jackson's thirtieth year as a solo entertainer. The show was edited from footage of the two performances. Ironically, the 30th anniversary concert was also watched by 30 million viewers, on CBS, when it aired later the same year.

United We Stand: What More Can I Give was a benefit concert led by Michael Jackson held on October 21, 2001, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The concert was the third major concert held in tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks. The other two were held in New York City. The special premiered on ABC on Thursday, November 1, 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cellairis Amphitheatre</span>

The Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood, originally Coca-Cola Lakewood Amphitheatre, is a concert venue located in Atlanta, which opened in 1989. The amphitheatre seats 18,920. It was designed to offer a state-of-the-art musical experience for both music fans and artists. The venue was built specifically for popular music.

The 2000 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on September 7, 2000, honoring the best music videos from June 12, 1999, to June 9, 2000. The show was hosted by Marlon and Shawn Wayans at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 MTV Europe Music Awards</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Number Ones, Up Close and Personal</span> 2011 concert tour by Janet Jackson

Number Ones, Up Close and Personal World Tour was the sixth concert tour by American recording artist Janet Jackson. It showcased her sophomore compilation album, Number Ones and visited Asia, North America, Europe, Australia, and Africa. Jackson traveled to thirty-five different cities selected by fans, one chosen for each of her number one hits. The tour took an organic and intimate approach, excluding the elaborate theatrics and pyrotechnics her concerts have become infamous for, focusing on her musicality and choreography. Jackson explained the tour to be "different from anything I have ever done", adding, "These concerts are not about special effects. This is a love affair between me and those of you who have supported me and my work for all these years." Jackson dedicated an individual song to the audience during every show to commemorate each city.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Murphy, Gayl (March 12, 2001). "MTV Names Janet Jackson an Icon". ABC News . Retrieved December 14, 2009.
  2. 1 2 "mtv:ICON turns out top rating – Broadcasting & Cable". Broadcasting & Cable . Broadcasting & Cable Staff. March 15, 2001. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Aerosmith Is MTV's Newest 'Icon'". Billboard . March 19, 2002. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 "MTV Icon: Metallica". MTV . Retrieved December 14, 2009.
  5. "MTV Icon: Metallica: Celebrity Tributes". MTV . Retrieved December 14, 2009.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Weber, Tim (September 20, 2004). "The Cure take the icon test". BBC News . Retrieved December 15, 2009.