Video ‘Killed’ Billy Squier the Radio Star
Billy Squier, a successful rock musician in the early 1980s, is often cited as having significantly damaged his career with the release of the music video for his 1984 single Rock Me Tonite.
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At the height of his fame, Squier had multi-platinum albums like Don’t Say No and Emotions in Motion, along with hit singles like The Stroke and In the Dark. However, the Rock Me Tonite video became notorious for its awkward choreography, soft pastel visuals and perceived lack of masculinity, which clashed with his rock star image. The video showed Squier dancing alone in a pink bedroom, tearing off his shirt and writhing on satin sheets — imagery that confused and alienated much of his hard rock fanbase.
At the time, MTV was a powerful force in shaping public perception, and the video quickly became a punchline. Critics, fans and even industry insiders ridiculed the video, which caused a steep decline in Squier’s credibility and popularity.
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Squier himself later admitted the video was a disaster and claimed he had little creative control over it. Despite releasing more albums, he never regained the commercial success or public image he had before. While the music itself remained strong, the visual misstep — at a time when image had become just as important as sound — marked a turning point. The Rock Me Tonite video is still widely cited as one of the most infamous examples of a single music video derailing a successful artist’s career.
