MTV Unplugged

About MTV Unplugged

MTV Unplugged is an American television series on MTV showcasing musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show aired regularly from 1989 to 1999. The show aired less frequently from 2000 to 2009, usually billed as MTV Unplugged No. 2.0. Since 2009 MTV Unplugged specials have aired occasionally, sometimes online-only. Episodes and specials have tended to showcase one artist or group, playing a combination of their hit songs and covers. Many of the artists who appeared on the show in the 1990s released their Unplugged session as an album, and some of these albums were commercial and critical hits. Eric Clapton's Unplugged (1992) sold 26 million copies worldwide and remains the best-selling live album of all time. Other Unplugged albums that went platinum include Mariah Carey's MTV Unplugged (1992), Rod Stewart's Unplugged...and Seated (1993), 10,000 Maniacs' MTV Unplugged (1993), Tony Bennett's MTV Unplugged (1994), Page and Plant's No Quarter (1994), Nirvana's MTV Unplugged in New York (1994), Los Tres's MTV Unplugged (1995 - platinum in their native Chile), Alice in Chains's Unplugged (1996), Shakira's MTV Unplugged (1999 - platinum in the Latin market), La Ley's MTV Unplugged (2001 - platinum USA, triple platinum in Mexico, Chile, Argentina), Ricky Martin's MTV Unplugged (2006 - platinum USA and diamond in Mexico), Lauryn Hill's MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 (2001) and Alicia Keys' Unplugged (2005). Some of these albums produced successful singles as well, including Mariah Carey's #1 hit cover of "I'll Be There". more »