2020 MTV VMAs: Looking Back at Every 'Video Vanguard Award' Winner

The Beatles and David Bowie were the first recipients of the award with The Beatles honored for “essentially inventing the music video.”

Another dual award was given out in 1985 as Byrne was recognized for his work with Talking Heads.

Madonna became the first woman to receive the award and would later go on to win Video of the Year for “Ray of Light.

1987 was a good year for Peter Gabriel as he also took home the Video of the Year award for “Sledgehammer.”

Jackson became the first Black artist to take home the prestigious award when he won in 1988. Just three years later, the award was renamed in his honor.

Michael’s hit songs “Father Figure” and “Faith” helped him earn the Video Vanguard Award, which was presented by Madonna.

Jackson became the youngest artist to receive the award at 24 years old, a record still held to this day.

Bon Jovi took home the award in 1991, the same year it was renamed the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor presented the rockers with the award. The same year, Axl Rose rejected the association with Michael Jackson during his acceptance speech.

The Rolling Stones were presented with the honor as the Lifetime Achievement Award while Tom Petty took home the award as well.

The group saw massive success the year prior with their video for “Everybody Hurts” and were given the Video Vanguard Award one year later.

LL Cool J made history as the first rapper to take home the award when he won in 1997.

The Beastie Boys would win numerous VMA awards following their Video Vanguard Award, but this helped set the tone for what was to come.

The Chili Peppers had numerous VMA victories leading up to their Video Vanguard Award in 2000.

U2 had been receiving VMA nominations going back to 1985, with the group finally gaining recognition in 2001 with the award.

Presented by Kelly Osbourne and Avril Lavigne, Duran Duran was given the award as the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Spears was the first artist since 2003 to take home the award as it was given as the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

Presented by his BFF Jimmy Fallon, he also took home Video of the Year honors that night for “Mirrors.”

It was a family affair as Beyoncé was presented the award by Jay Z and their daughter Blue Ivy Carter.

West was recognized for his music video accomplishments, but the bigger headline was that Taylor Swift presented him with the award years after their kerfuffle at the VMAs.

Rihanna had already taken home two Video of the Year awards when she was presented with the Video Vanguard Award.

Pink had won numerous VMAs when she was presented with the Video Vanguard Award in 2017.

Lopez became the first Latin artist to take home the honor when she won in 2018.

Missy Elliott had a long list of nominations and victories before she was presented with the Video Vanguard Award by Cardi B in 2019.