ABSTRACT
On December 31, 1983 seventeen to twenty million viewers tuned in MTV at 11:30 p .m . (EST) to usher in 1984 with the most elaborate New Year’s Eve Rock and Roll Ball in the network’s history. It was a far cry from the first. Appearing for half-hour sets were Cyndi Lauper, the Stray Cats, Thompson Twins, and from Wembley, England, via satel lite The Police and the reunited Animals. Billy Idol opened the fourhour bash with “Ready, Steady, Go.” “Host” Pee Wee Herman failed at being comedic (Herman aptly illustrated the reason for the demise of slapstick vaudeville).
