Thirty years ago today, V66 crashed the Boston market. And though the area’s “first music video station and stereo 24 hours a day” only lasted 18 months in the middle of the ’80s, its legacy not only lives on today, but it feels like it’s needed more than ever.
To mark the anniversary of V66’s February 12, 1985 launch, Cruising In The Van Productions announced today that their 2014 documentary, Life on the V: The Story of V66, will be released on DVD by MVD Entertainment Group on April 7.
The doc looks at the station through the eyes of co-creators John Garabedian and Arnie “Woo Woo” Ginsberg, as well as employees and the bands that V66 helped make famous in Massachusetts, including members of the Cars, the J. Geils Band, New Edition, ‘Til Tuesday, Extreme, and the Del Fuegos.
Over a short 18 months, V66 broadcast at the height of the ’80s music video craze, and at a time when MTV, which launched nationally four years earlier, was not available in every household.
“MVD has released so many great documentaries, including many well-received music docs” Life on the V director Eric Green says in a presser. “After already receiving such a positive response from audiences at film festivals, I’m thrilled that the story of V66 that I’m telling through my documentary can be shared with even more fans throughout the country, and with those who are nostalgic for the ’80s music scene, through film distribution by MVD.”
Adds MVD General Manager Ed Seaman: “I believe every city across the USA has a similar story: a show emerges that is truly cutting edge, different and happening. Life on the V transcends its regional appeal as everyone can relate to this theme, and we are thrilled to be representing this poignant documentary.”
Life on the V: The Story of V66 premiered last April at the Independent Film Festival Boston, later screening at the Independent Television and Film Festival and Somewhat North Of Boston Film Festival.
Watch the trailer below, as well as some vintage V66 clips…
