Martha Quinn
She was a 20-year-old broadcasting major and radio disc jockey at New York University in Manhattan when MTV signed her. The girl-next-door face and manner helped make her the best-known video jockey at MTV. Her favorite interviews: Bob Dylan, who has a "wonderful, giving presence," and David Lee Roth, who would "just start talking," Quinn said. After MTV declined to renew Quinn's contract in 1986, she did three years of TV guest spots, then was rehired by MTV and dumped again in 1992. She co-hosted Ed McMahon's Star Search and did segments on The Early Show. Now 42, she hosts a Los Angeles radio show called Martha Quinn's Rewind. Quinn has been married for eight years, has a 4-year-old daughter, and another child on the way.

J.J. Jackson
He was the "elder statesman" among disc jockeys before he was picked for the MTV gig, with his own radio show in Los Angeles. Along with Mark Goodman, Jackson was considered the network's real musical expert. He periodically thought about quitting MTV, and did when his contract expired in 1985. The 54-year-old former VJ is now, once again, a DJ in Los Angeles. He is divorced and has two grown daughters. Jackson says his legacy to MTV was adding credibility, and helping to reel in stars like Robert Plant and Pete Townshend for interviews. Jackson suffered a heart attack and died on March 17, 2004, while driving home after dining with a friend in Los Angeles. He had a daughter and three grandchildren. He was 62.

Mark Goodman
When MTV hired him, he was a DJ veteran, with radio shows in Philly and New York. Goodman's key interviews were with Madonna, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen. He also hosted Live Aid, the July 17, 1985 concert on two continents to benefit famine relief. MTV presented 17 hours of live coverage. Goodman grew tired of MTV and quit in 1988, then tried acting for a while with a stint on One Life to Live. He then deejayed again in Los Angeles and Chicago. He was VP of an Internet music site, and now plans to produce and host Gigspinner, a TV magazine about touring bands. He lives in Los Angeles, is separated from his third wife, and shares custody of a young daughter.

Nina Blackwood
The sultry-voiced VJ was an aspiring actress, model and classical musician who played the piano and harp. Then MTV brought her on board and she became a VJ. She was at MTV from 1981 to 1986, and after an amicable parting, Blackwood went on to work with Entertainment Tonight and Solid Gold. Now 48 and divorced, she is a DJ for an FM radio station in Denver.

Alan Hunter
He was an actor, not a DJ or particularly a music aficionado, when hired by MTV. He had a leg up on the others auditioning: he had appeared in David Bowie's music video for Fashion. Hunter hit his stride as MTV's prankster and comedy man. He quit MTV in 1987 and appeared in a few commercials and minor movies. Now he is back home in Birmingham, Ala., where he produces commercials and hopes to produce movies. Now 44, he is divorced and shares custody of two children.