August 21, 2014

Relive the Past Three Decades Through These MTV VMA Photos

By Lindsey Weber, Maya Robinson, Jed Egan

Photo: Ron Galella/Getty

The MTV Video Music Awards are back on the West Coast this Sunday following 2013’s quick visit to Brooklyn. No matter: The lineup promises performances from Maroon 5, Sam Smith, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, and Iggy Azalea. It’s a 2013–14 time capsule, which is what the VMAs do best. Just look at past award shows: Each contained at least one moment that could serve as a microcosm for what was “cool” in that particular year. Don’t believe us? We’ll prove it. Proceed.

Diana Ross, sans beard, is sandwiched between Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill of ZZ Top, also sans Beard — beardless drummer Frank Beard, that is.

Diana Ross, sans beard, is sandwiched between Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill of ZZ Top, also sans Beard — beardless drummer Frank Beard, that is.

At the outset and height of his solo career, Diamond David Lee Roth, pictured here with actress Sonia Braga and about 250 leis, uses his powers of mental telepathy to mimic the photobomber behind them.

At the outset and height of his solo career, Diamond David Lee Roth, pictured here with actress Sonia Braga and about 250 leis, uses his powers of mental telepathy to mimic the photobomber behind them.

Jay Leno (with his wife, Mavis) is clearly mesmerized by something. The rich mine of jokes regarding Godley & Creme's Video of the Year nomination for 1986 VMAs "Cry," perhaps?

Jay Leno (with his wife, Mavis) is clearly mesmerized by something. The rich mine of jokes regarding Godley & Creme's Video of the Year nomination for 1986 VMAs "Cry," perhaps?

Even Cyndi Lauper can't look at Cher when she's wearing this insane dress, in which the Mask star later presented U2 with an award.

Even Cyndi Lauper can't look at Cher when she's wearing this insane dress, in which the Mask star later presented U2 with an award.

We're going to go with our gut here and say that both Robert Downey Jr. and Slash are completely sober in this so-1988 photo.

We're going to go with our gut here and say that both Robert Downey Jr. and Slash are completely sober in this so-1988 photo.

"Weird" Al Yankovic, sure, we get that. But Jasmine Guy? At the VMAs? Without Kadeem Hardison? Come on.

"Weird" Al Yankovic, sure, we get that. But Jasmine Guy? At the VMAs? Without Kadeem Hardison? Come on.

Very sadly not pictured with a glad-handing Flavor Flav and Phil Collins: MC Hammer, who later performed "U Can't Touch This" accompanied by an estimated one million people.

Very sadly not pictured with a glad-handing Flavor Flav and Phil Collins: MC Hammer, who later performed "U Can't Touch This" accompanied by an estimated one million people.

Christian Slater was the shit in 1991, wasn't he? As was Whoopi Goldberg before she started wearing Penny Marshall glasses.

Christian Slater was the shit in 1991, wasn't he? As was Whoopi Goldberg before she started wearing Penny Marshall glasses.

Ringo Starr, Hellraiser's Pinhead, and David Spade inadvertently provide the pictorial representation of F, Marry, Kill.

Ringo Starr, Hellraiser's Pinhead, and David Spade inadvertently provide the pictorial representation of F, Marry, Kill.

The amount of awesomeness and sadness in this photo cannot be charted. (It's the Cobain family with Sinéad O'Connor.)

The amount of awesomeness and sadness in this photo cannot be charted. (It's the Cobain family with Sinéad O'Connor.)

Jon Stewart, back when he was MTV's Jon Stewart and still floppy-haired, is overshadowed by a pre–Fair Game Cindy Crawford.

Jon Stewart, back when he was MTV's Jon Stewart and still floppy-haired, is overshadowed by a pre–Fair Game Cindy Crawford.

Hole's Eric Erlandson and that old so-and-so (see: 1993) strut with Drew Barrymore circa daisies-in-the-hair Boys on the Side.

Hole's Eric Erlandson and that old so-and-so (see: 1993) strut with Drew Barrymore circa daisies-in-the-hair Boys on the Side.

Snoop Dogg and Tupac? They presented at the 1996 VMAs, and only a few years later, in 1999, Tupac's mother Afeni Shakur (alongside Biggie's mother Voletta Wallace) will present Best Rap Video in honor of their sons.

Snoop Dogg and Tupac? They presented at the 1996 VMAs, and only a few years later, in 1999, Tupac's mother Afeni Shakur (alongside Biggie's mother Voletta Wallace) will present Best Rap Video in honor of their sons.

The only thing you need to know about 1997 is that at the VMAs, Martha Stewart and Busta Rhymes stood back-to-back.

The only thing you need to know about 1997 is that at the VMAs, Martha Stewart and Busta Rhymes stood back-to-back.

Gwen Stefani, Melissa Auf der Maur, and Courtney Love: literally the three coolest women of 1998.

Gwen Stefani, Melissa Auf der Maur, and Courtney Love: literally the three coolest women of 1998.

Oh God, I hope Fred Durst and Heather Locklear never dated.

Oh God, I hope Fred Durst and Heather Locklear never dated.

2000: When Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey and 'N Sync'r Joey Fatone joked about how young and happy they all were.

2000: When Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey and 'N Sync'r Joey Fatone joked about how young and happy they all were.

The most important seating arrangement of all time? That's Britney, Justin, Jennifer Lopez, her dancer boyfriend Cris Judd, and Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog photobombing (next to Jimmy Kimmel) in the back.

The most important seating arrangement of all time? That's Britney, Justin, Jennifer Lopez, her dancer boyfriend Cris Judd, and Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog photobombing (next to Jimmy Kimmel) in the back.

Jackass's Ryan Dunn and Johnny Knoxville alongside Blink-182's Travis Barker: Be careful, 2002.

Jackass's Ryan Dunn and Johnny Knoxville alongside Blink-182's Travis Barker: Be careful, 2002.

One time, in 2003, Chris Martin, Justin Timberlake, and the Black Eyed Peas hung out and traded quinoa recipes. Just kidding! It was 2003. They talked about Poland joining the European Union.

One time, in 2003, Chris Martin, Justin Timberlake, and the Black Eyed Peas hung out and traded quinoa recipes. Just kidding! It was 2003. They talked about Poland joining the European Union.

The 2004 VMAs were in Miami, so naturally, Bruce Willis and Diddy arrived on a yacht. Vote or Die! (Remember that?)

The 2004 VMAs were in Miami, so naturally, Bruce Willis and Diddy arrived on a yacht. Vote or Die! (Remember that?)

When exactly was the last time Kanye smiled? When he was stuck between a 2005 Lindsay Lohan and Kelly Clarkson.

When exactly was the last time Kanye smiled? When he was stuck between a 2005 Lindsay Lohan and Kelly Clarkson.

Ludacris, Shaun White, Lil Jon, and Pharrell Williams did not put out an album in 2007, but they did put out a big hug.

Ludacris, Shaun White, Lil Jon, and Pharrell Williams did not put out an album in 2007, but they did put out a big hug.

Criss Angel, Nelly, and Kid Rock. This picture is a total Mindfreak.

Criss Angel, Nelly, and Kid Rock. This picture is a total Mindfreak.

Ah, 2008 — the year of the Beijing Olympic Games, the year Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz were pregnant, and the year no one had ever heard of Michael Phelps.

Ah, 2008 — the year of the Beijing Olympic Games, the year Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz were pregnant, and the year no one had ever heard of Michael Phelps.

The Bride of the 2009 VMAs was Lady Gaga and her groom was Perez Hilton. They have since divorced.

The Bride of the 2009 VMAs was Lady Gaga and her groom was Perez Hilton. They have since divorced.

Remember Justin Bieber? Not the one that currently wears leather diaper pants and acts out, but the prepubescent YouTube star we all remember from just a few years ago. Well, he attended the 2010 VMAs and also wants you to know why (*points*).

Remember Justin Bieber? Not the one that currently wears leather diaper pants and acts out, but the prepubescent YouTube star we all remember from just a few years ago. Well, he attended the 2010 VMAs and also wants you to know why (*points*).

2011 was the year we got skinny Jonah Hill. We also got old Tony Bennett (but we've had that for quite a few years now).

2011 was the year we got skinny Jonah Hill. We also got old Tony Bennett (but we've had that for quite a few years now).

The epitome of 2012's VMAs? "Gangnam Style." Ride 'em, John Mayer!

The epitome of 2012's VMAs? "Gangnam Style." Ride 'em, John Mayer!

Hey, remember when people didn't despise Robin Thicke?

Hey, remember when people didn't despise Robin Thicke?

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