The man who helped shape the video age of the 80's has passed away, as acclaimed music video director Marty Callner died at the age of 78.
Callner, made some of the most iconic videos of the MTV age, helping Twisted Sister explode on the scene with “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” and making the genius move of casting Animal House's Mark Metcalf to do a variatoin of his Neidermeyer role in the video.
Whitesnake was already on the rise when Callner took the job of directing the vido for “Here I Go Again,” and put actress/David Coverdale's girlfriend Tawny Kitaen to dance on a convertible, and the Hair Metal band exploded up the charts with their biggest hit.
Callner would follow that up with a successful relationship with Aerosmith, who had caught fire with their hit collab with Run DMC in "Walk This Way", which lead to a new album which featured the Callner directed “(Dude) Looks Like a Lady” and later in the 90's “Crazy”, which helped introduce the world to actress Alicia Silverstone and Steven Tyler's daughter Liv Tyler.
Callner also helped resurrect Cher’s career as her video with Marty made the single “If I Could Turn Back Time,” one of the biggest hits of the year, with Cher flashing her thong, while dancing on a battleship.
Those that benefited from Callner's work gave their heartfelt condolences,
“Heartbreaking news… What an amazing guy [and a] super talent. My sincere condolences to Aleeza, his family, friends and fans.” said David Coverdale.
Callner helped give Heart new life in the 80's directing "Never" and helped push Pat Benatar's "We Belong" to the top of the charts.
"Two days ago I lost one of my favorite people in the world, Marty Callner," Twisted Sister's Dee Snider said. "He directed the 'We're Not Gonna Take It' video & changed my life. We became & remained friends since the first day we met. His family was mine. Mine was his. I love you, Marty. My heart is broken."
Callner moved into comedy in the 90's directing specials for Robin Williams & Jerry Seinfeld, then took to reality tv at the turn of the century, by creating HBO's Hard Knocks in 2001. You can hear Marty's story on the iHeartRadio App in his episode of Storyteller Studio hosted by Adhrucia Giulia.