pedigree and possibly because the albumMTV Un-
plugged in New Yorkwas released shortly after singer
Kurt Cobain’s 1994 suicide. As MTV Unplugged
proved its longevity, producers sought to include an
even wider variety of genres and generations and
sought out entertainers who would embark on addi-
tionally experimental tendencies. The 1994 season
featured artists as diverse as vintage swinger Tony
Bennett, ex-Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and
Robert Plant, electronic artist Björk, and folk trou-
badour Bob Dylan.
The 1995 season highlight came from Kiss, not
only because the band reunited all four original
members but also because it was the band’s first-ever
concert appearance without its trademark makeup.
In fact, public reaction was so rabid over the taping
and sound track that it prompted a full-fledged Kiss
reunion tour. The following year was best known for
a notorious episode involving the English rock band
Oasis, whose lead guitarist, Noel Gallagher, substi-
tuted vocals for his temporarily estranged brother
Liam.
Tapings remained regular throughout 1997 (in-
cluding a sound track from Bryan Adams), but the
production schedule slowed down considerably as
the decade came to a close. Despite the network
pumping most of its promotion into the music-video
countdown showTotal Request Live, there was still
considerable interest in Björk’s 1998 return to the
series, along with 1999 performances by the Corrs,
Shakira, and Alanis Morissette. As a result of the
groundwork built throughout the 1990’s,MTV Un-
pluggedremained a visible brand via occasional epi-
sodes throughout the 2000’s, relaunching with regu-
larity for a full 2007 season.
Impact While the concept of unplugged music first
seemed risky and unconventional, this program
shaped the performance style into a mainstream
phenomenon. In doing so,MTV Unpluggedhelped
springboard the careers of several newcomers, while
simultaneously reviving public awareness of older
artists and introducing them to younger audiences.
Though the show’s popularity fluctuated at various
points of its lengthy run, the concept lingered on
and earned a revival with an entirely new genera-
tion.
Further Reading
Gundersen, Edna. “MTV Flips the Switch Back on
for ‘Unplugged.’” USA Today, September 20,
2007, 18D. An article tracing the birthing and re-
vival ofMTV Unplugged, including an analysis of
key episodes and a sidebar of its best-selling
sound tracks.
McGrath, Tom.MTV: The Making of a Revolution.
Philadelphia: Running Press, 1996. This histori-
cal documentation of the famed music channel
features coverage ofMTV Unplugged, including
information about several famous episodes and
the show’s overall contributions to the music in-
dustry at large.
MTV.MTV Uncensored. New York: Pocket Books/
MTV, 2001. Compiles a series of interviews,
quotes, and sound bites featured on various pro-
grams, includingMTV Unplugged. Focuses on the
network’s most outrageous and outlandish guests,
incidents, and bloopers.
Andy ArgyrakisSee also Alternative rock; Cable television; Carey,
Mariah; Lollapalooza; Morissette, Alanis; Music;
Nirvana; Television; Woodstock concerts. Mulroney, Brian
Identification Prime minister of Canada, 1984-
1993
Born March 20, 1939; Baie-Comeau, Quebec,
Canada
During the 1990’s, Mulroney negotiated Canada’s mem-
bership in the North American Free Trade Agreement. He
also sought to resolve underlying constitutional problems.
At the beginning of the 1990’s, Brian Mulroney was
in his second term of office as Canadian prime min-
ister and leader of the Progressive Conservative
Party. He had been reelected unexpectedly in 1988
on the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement
platform, despite massive criticism of government
corruption, patronage, and his abrasive personal
style. His economic policies were close to those of
Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) in the United States
and Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990) in the United
Kingdom.
Negotiations on the extension of the Canada-
United States Free Trade Agreement to include
Mexico went ahead in 1990, again with considerable
opposition from Liberals, who had once been free
trade proponents. Mulroney’s internationalism evenThe Nineties in America Mulroney, Brian 591