This is why you wanted your MTV

QAQAFrom 1981 to 1985, original MTV VJ Martha Quinn was regarded as “America’s kid sister,” someone “so cute she could make your cranium detonate,” according to one writer at the time. Quinn, along with Nina Blackwood, J.J. Jackson, Mark Goodman and Alan Hunter, helped popularize the music video and, in turn, change popular culture. In VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV’s First Wave, the jockeys swap stories in an oral history by Gavin Edwards. Now 53, a radio host and a mother of two in Malibu, CA., Quinn spoke to Ben Kaplan about sex appeal, Bryan Adams and why she chose Paul Shaffer when she could’ve dated just about anyone in the world.

Recently, Canada had its version of the Grammy Awards and most of the artists are stars on our video channel. Have you heard of MuchMusic?

Only that everybody kind of puts me and Erica Ehm in the same boat. I used to hear that a lot: “You’re like Erica Ehm!” Who’s everyone? People from Canada. Maybe Corey Hart or Bryan Adams. Hey, Canada! What am I thinking? I’m talking to the land of Bryan Adams and Corey Hart, so cool!

You’re hilarious, your references are still from the ’ 80s. People say, “Martha, where are you on Sirius radio?” I say, “Scroll around and wait ’ til you hear Def Leppard. I won’t be far behind.”

Speaking of Canada, how did your relationship with Paul Shaffer come about?

We were good friends and sort of dated, but as it happens in your early 20s, you go: “This is probably not the way I’m going to spend the rest of my life,” and move on.

I understand the appeal from his side, but from your side ...

That’s an interesting perspective. I wonder what Paul would think of it.

How would you classify your relationship with the other jockeys?

I felt like my mom told my older brothers that they had to babysit me for the day. In a way, we were the original Bradys, the original Gilligan’s Island crew.

But the book makes it clear that you guys were hardly the Bradys — it opens up with David Lee Roth drunk and high on cocaine. That’s OK. It’s a true story Are you surprised that’s been the big take-away from the book thus far?

It’s a good question. For example, Sammy Hagar’s autobiography, which I enjoyed and highly recommend, I love all the early stuff and same with Rick Springfield’s autobiography, talking about what life was like in Australia. Once they hit success, I tune out, but that’s just me. I’m a mom and a Brady, what can I do?

Could you have shown up for work in Lita Ford heels?

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