Was Bohemian Rhapsody the first music video?

[alancohen]

Where did the idea come from that Bohemian Rhapsody spawned the first music video, when Benny Hill's Ernie was years earlier? Answer me that one, Andy Hughes.

[andy hughes]

Thanks Alan, I will if I may. Promotional films were not a new idea by the time Queen came to record their ground-breaking prototype video. The Monkees' TV series always included at least one piece of film to illustrate a track - maybe that's where Mike Nesmith thought of the idea for MTV. Even further back, Roy Orbison, and even The Beatles used film segment to illustrate music, and yes, Benny Hill was up there with the early pioneers.
The reason why Queen are credited with originating the pop video is because their 'Bohemian Rhapsody' video was filmed with the specific intention of being used on 'Top Of The Pops' in place of the band's planned studio performance, which they were unable to record due to touring commitments. So, although artists have used film before to illustrate their music, Queen were the first band to commission a specific piece of film around a hit song, for the purpose of promotion in lieu of a 'lve' performace, which is why the 'Bohemian Rhapsody' video is acknowledged as the first true music video.

[manutdstott]

AndyHughes I am a big Queen fan and I couldn't have answered that any better, hes right you know.