DEEP LISTENING: MTV's Unplugged

"In the [37] years since the Nov. 26, 1989, debut of MTV's "Unplugged," the television program has become a pop culture institution.

The very term "unplugged" has entered the language as standard parlance for any performance involving acoustic guitars and other unamplified musical instruments. It is also shorthand for virtually any intimate, heartfelt form of musical presentation. A quarter century down the road, "Unplugged" remains a prestigious platform for today's top stars, with shows in recent years featuring Lil Wayne, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Rita Ora, Paramore, Vampire Weekend, and Katy Perry. The series has also amassed an impressive history of performances by GRAMMY-winning artists such as Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Tony Bennett, Bob Dylan, Jay Z, Elton John, Pearl Jam, and Mariah Carey, among others.

Considering its success, it's hard to believe that "Unplugged" was once a left-field concept. But it did come along at the tail end of the high tech '80s, when synthesizers and amped-up rock ruled the charts. In fact, the series got started because singer/songwriter Jules Shear needed a way to promote his acoustic album, The Third Party."

-Alan di Perna, Grammys

**In no way affiliated MTV**

A 3 hour listening session of the best cuts from MTV's Unplugged