The first of the two didn't happen here. Instead, it took place in the U.S. and for a time, changed television for decades. And Canadians never got to see it live. It was August 1, 1981 when MTV first signed on in the U.S., with the Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star" becoming the first video ever played on the pioneer. 

The service was not an instant hit and was not carried by many cable systems, until it invented the "I Want My MTV" campaign, that led teens to call their providers and demand they add the station. 

MuchMusic, by comparison, did not hit our airwaves until August 31, 1984, three years later. It also was quite influential in its day, but the Internet changed all that and now both play either few or no videos. 



Fast forward to July 30, 2003, when the first modern pandemic hit Toronto - and it wasn't COVID.

SARS kept the city reeling as patients filled hospitals for this contagious disease that killed 48 people and left more than 400 in hospital. 

Toronto became a pariah for tourists, who feared catching this disease.

When the crisis passed, the city staged SARStock at Downsview Park (now ironically home to the much maligned Rogers Stadium,) with the main attraction being a live performance by The Rolling Stones. It was one of the biggest and most star studded concerts ever staged here. And no one complained about the long walk to get there!

The 2003 concert that rocked Toronto after SARS