The MTV Video Music Awards had finally found their spot to settle down, the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles. The Gibson Amphitheatre was chosen as the venue for the 1987 VMAs and continued to the venue every year until 1993. The awards were once again hosted by resident VJs "Downtown" Julie Brown, Carolyn Heldman & Dweezil Zappa.
It was the first time in VMA history that a single artist had the phenomenal tally of nine shining Moonmen, the feat hasn’t been repeated since. Peter Gabriel’s (Ex-Genesis) solo performance on Sledgehammer was the video that reaped this large haul. Among them were Video Vanguard Award, Best Male Video, Best Overall Performance, Most Experimental Video and the much coveted Video of the Year. Bon Jovi received the award for Best Stage Performance and the award for Viewer's Choice left with U2 for With or Without You.
Among the performances that rocked the theatre were Run D.M.C and Aerosmith with Walk This Way and Bon Jovi with "Livin' On a Prayer". Other performers included Bryan Adams, Madonna, David Bowie, Prince and Whitney Houston. With the huge star cast performers, the venue and the surprise wins this was one of the best the VMAs ever saw.
List of Nominees and Winners at the MTV Video Music Awards 1987
Video of the Year
- Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
- Genesis - Land Of Confusion
- Paul Simon - Boy In The Bubble
- U2 - With Or Without You
- Steve Winwood - Higher Love
Best Male Video
- Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
- David Bowie - Day In, Day Out
- Robert Palmer - I Didn't Mean To Turn You On
- Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al
- Steve Winwood - Higher Love
Best Female Video
- Madonna - Papa Don't Preach
- Kate Bush - Big Sky
- Janet Jackson - Nasty
- Cyndi Lauper - True Colors
- Madonna - Open Your Heart
Best Group Video
- Talking Heads - Wild Wild Life
- The Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian
- Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
- Eurythmics - Missionary Man
- U2 - With Or Without You
Viewer's Choice
- U2 - With Or Without You
- Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
- Genesis - Land Of Confusion
- Paul Simon - Boy in the Bubble
- Steve Winwood - Higher Love
Best New Artist
- Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
- Georgia Satellites - Keep Your Hands To Yourself
- Bruce Hornsby & The Range - The Way It Is
- The Robert Cray Band - Smoking Gun
- Timbuk 3 - The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades
Best Concept Video
- Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
- Eurythmics - Missionary Man
- Peter Gabriel - Big Time
- Genesis - Land Of Confusion
- Talking Heads - Wild Wild Life
Best Stage Performance
- Bon Jovi - Living On A Prayer
- Bon Jovi - You Give Love A Bad Name
- Run DMC - Walk This Way
- Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Born To Run
- Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band – War
Best Overall Performance
- Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
- Janet Jackson - Nasty
- Madonna - Papa Don't Preach
- Run DMC - Walk This Way
- U2 - With Or Without You
Most Experimental Video
- Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
- Eurythmics - Missionary Man
- Genesis - Land Of Confusion
- Huey Lewis And The News - Hip To Be Square
- Paul Simon - Boy in the Bubble
Best Video From A Film
- Talking Heads - Wild Wild Life
- Eric Clapton - It's In The Way That You Use It
- Rodney Dangerfield - Twist And Shout
- Aretha Franklin - Jumpin' Jack Flash
- Ben E. King - Stand By Me
Best Direction
- Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
- Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
- Genesis - Land Of Confusion
- U2 - With Or Without You
- Steve Winwood - Higher Love
Best Choreography
- Janet Jackson - Nasty
- The Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian
- Janet Jackson - When I Think Of You
- Madonna - Open Your Heart
- Steve Winwood - Higher Love
Best Special Effects
- Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
- Eurythmics - Missionary Man
- Peter Gabriel - Big Time
- Genesis - Land Of Confusion
- Paul Simon - Boy in the Bubble
Best Art Direction
- Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
- Breakfast Club - Right On Track
- Genesis - Land Of Confusion
- Madonna - Open Your Heart
- Paul Simon - Boy in the Bubble
Best Editing
- Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
- Eurythmics - Missionary Man
- Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead Or Alive
- Robbie Nevil - C'est La Vie
- U2 - With Or Without You
- Steve Winwood - Higher Love
Best Cinematography
- Robbie Nevil - C'est La Vie
- Cyndi Lauper - What's Going On
- Madonna - Papa Don't Preach
- U2 - With Or Without You
- Steve Winwood - Higher Love