Vibrant surreal travel scene of a person leaping — AI art by @paulie
@paulie · 3/17/2026
In 1977, Michael Nesmith released an album titled "From A Radio Engine To The Photon Wing". The most successful album single from the album, "Rio", failed to chart in the United States. It did hit #4 in New Zealand and Australia, #20 in the Netherlands & #28 in the UK. Most notable, Nesmith himself underwrote a creative music video he was inspired to produce. The record company had planned to release a concert clip for a channel in Japan, where he had some audience, but he volunteered his own funds if he was given creative license. This video is that result. Packaged in concept and sold to Nicklodian as this basis for their "Popclips" program, which in just a couple of years had been morphed into what would become known as MTV. (Nesmith himself ended up winning the first ever Grammy Award for Video recording for his project "Elephant Parts" https://youtu.be/yciLq5kYFnU?si=YlxVBH3BBpCqlZTc
Tags: surreal travel illustration, vibrant neon art, fantasy travel scene, vinyl record water, aurora sky, Rio de Janeiro vibe, airport sign Gate 17, colorful buildings, toucans, music notes, dreamlike artwork, adventurous mood, travel poster, whimsical art
Comments
paulie
Well you were right in that Nesmith was indeed one of the original Monkees! He produced many memorable music videos from the early days, but like many of his other projects, by the time the rest of the industry had caught up to him, he had moved onto other things! Among artist who he worked with on the music side of video were Jimmy Buffet, Lionel Richie, Roseann Cash and Jim Stafford. And of course, several of his own tunes; some of which were indeed fixtures on early MTV.
CaylaCatz
He's very surprising. I think you shared one of his later songs with me and I was very surprised at his warm jazzy voice. It's funny how a person can have a time warp view of someone based on a particular moment of fame but that person goes on to live much fuller lives as they continue to grow and evolve.
CaylaCatz
Thanks for bit of history. I had no idea MTV evolved from Nickelodeon. I thought that was a kid's and cartoon channel. Or that one of the Monkees pioneered music videos for TV (vs concert song clips). It's pretty interesting to see an early music video. Thank you. Fun pic!
paulie
He had a very interesting career. Produced a few movies, had a brief television show in the '80's, and though it was not he who did it; his mother created the original "Liquid Paper"
CaylaCatz
You know a lot about various musicians. Why don't you do a blog about say 5 of them with the pics you made inspired by some of the their songs including the song links. Some people might be interested. And with blogs, 50 claps nets you 1000 credits at this time and that's really only 2.5 people as a lot of people do 10 claps at a time, maxing at 20. But mostly it's because I think people might find your knowledge fun to read coupled with the images & song links