Who co-hosted the inaugural MTV VMAs with Dan Aykroyd?

Bette Midler co-hosted the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards with Dan Aykroyd.

The first VMAs aired on September 14, 1984, from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Midler and Aykroyd shared hosting duties for a ceremony designed to celebrate the rapidly growing importance of music videos and MTV’s distinctive visual culture.

The inaugural show honored videos released between May 2, 1983, and May 2, 1984. It featured performances and appearances from major artists of the era, while the awards introduced the now-famous Moonman trophy. The Cars won Video of the Year for “You Might Think,” and Herbie Hancock was the night’s biggest winner with five awards.

A common mix-up is confusing the hosts with presenters. Cyndi Lauper, Roger Daltrey, Grace Slick, Mickey Thomas, and others appeared during the ceremony, but they did not co-host the inaugural broadcast. Midler’s role was especially memorable because she combined comedy, theatricality, and pop-star spectacle in the show’s first defining moments.