WXPN Hosting Weeklong Celebration For MTV's 40th Anniversary

PHILADELPHIA — Philly's WXPN public music radio station is celebrating the 40th anniversary of MTV by hosting a special week of radio and digital programming next month.

MTV Week will take place from Monday, Aug. 2 to Friday, Aug. 6 and feature throwback jams, MTV personalities, live covers from MTV's golden age, "Unplugged" sets, and more.

>>>Want to win Six Flags Great Adventure Season Passes? Here's how.

Details on programming are below.

MTV revolutionized the music industry when the music video network was launched Aug. 1, 1981, and its worldwide influence on pop culture and entertainment continues today.

"Like WXPN did two years ago with the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, MTV Week will celebrate the music and highlight the impact that music videos have had on pop culture and music since the ‘80s," said Bruce Warren, WXPN Assistant General Manager for Programming. "On-air and online listeners can join us in celebrating MTV’s 40th anniversary by hearing music from some of the era’s most iconic videos and MTV programs - the one-hit wonders, Yo! MTV Raps, MTV Unplugged, 120 Minutes, and more."

Below are highlights from the upcoming week of programming:

Monday, Aug. 2

• 9 a.m. — The First 100 Music Videos on MTV

Tuesday, Aug. 3

• 9 a.m. — Top 100 Greatest Music Videos of All Time
• 5 p.m. — Salute to Yo! MTV Raps

Wednesday, Aug. 4

• MTV Unplugged Day — Sets of music from "MTV Unplugged" releases throughout the day

Thursday, Aug. 5

• All day — #TBT (Throwback Thursday) featuring music from 1981, the year MTV launched
• 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. — World Cafe with special guest Rob Tannenbaum, author of "I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution"

Friday, Aug. 6

• 9 a.m. — "Friday Morning Mixtape" with Matt Pinfield, former host of MTV’s alternative music program (120 Minutes)
• Noon — "XPN Free At Noon" live concert broadcast with Philadelphia’s Pat Finnerty and the Full Band performing songs from MTV’s golden age
• 4 p.m. — Funky Friday" features the funky soul and R&B music from MTV classics from the 80s and early 90s
• 7 p.m. — WXPN host Robert Drake spins a special 24-hour marathon of ‘80s music, complete with a "Rock of the ‘80s Cam" that will capture the marathon and show the WXPN on-air studio festooned with ‘80s images and exclusive designs by Nicole and Nicole of Philadelphia’s South Street Art Mart

More details about WXPN's "MTV Week" are available here.