MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : Q – DECEMBER 2012

It’s the end of 2012 and there’s a killer on the cover of Q. Not an actual killer, but Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers.

2013 will see the 50th anniversary of The Rolling Stones, a year which will see new music and a documentary, this getting a single page feature from Q.

Charlotte Church gets a two page interview, where she reveals pensioners still turn up at her concerts thinking she will perform her opera hits.

The band Keane get a five page profile as Q goes on tour with them in Japan, and are having a more successful time that Roy Keane did in Japan ten years previously.

Also featured is someone else looking to have success in a foreign country, asking why Breaking Bad isn’t available in the UK.

Q features the recent trend of musicians becoming DJs, with a profile of Radio 6 Music stars Cerys Matthews, Jarvis Cocker, Guy Garvey and Huey Morgan.

Cover star Brandon Flowers is interviewed as part of an eight page feature on The Killers, revealing that he believes he will one day overtake The Osmonds as the world’s most famous Mormon.

In live reviews, Q goes to see George Michael in London, back on the concert trail after a near fatal bout of pneumonia.

The magazine ends with a Q and A with Florence Welch, who reveals she has no plans to follow David Cameron on Twitter.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : SMASH HITS – 27.1.1988

We go back to early 1988, when American teen star Tiffany is the cover star of Smash Hits, having just had a massive hit with I Think We’re Alone Now.

As you open the magazine, there is a poster of Eddie Kidd, famous as a Stuntman but is also launching a singing career.

In news, Pet Shop Boys have recorded a song with Patsy Kensit, and Roger Taylor has launched a career as a singer with a band called The Cross, and is interviewed.

Cher gets a full page dedicated to her, looking at her fashion over the previous twenty years.

A-Ha announced they were going on a UK tour, beginning at Shepton Mallet Showering Pavillion and George Michael is doing a tour which includes two nights in Belfast.

Hugh Cornwell from The Stranglers is interviewed, while Smash Hits reports than a Soap actress called Kylie Minogue has recorded a song called I Should Be So Lucky which was described as “Quite good”, to their surprise.

The Housemartins also announced their split this week.

Bros get interviewed, with Craig revealing his first concert was AC/DC.

Michael Hutchence gets a double page profile, billed as “The most fanciable creation in the history of the universe?”

Also being interviewed is Dollar, with David and Thereza being asked questions about each other.

Tiffany gets a three page interview where she reveals he prefers Sindy over Barbie, and that boys at school called her “Whiffany”

In singles reviews, The Bangles cover of Hazy Shade Of Winter was the best single of the fortnight.

As the magazine ends, there is a double page interview with Bananarama where they, like Dollar, were asked questions about each other.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : SMASH HITS – 20.11.1985

George Michael is the cover star of Smash Hits, as Wham! are once again riding high in the charts.

1985 was the year of Live Aid, and the Fashion industry joined in with Fashion Aid, an event attended by the likes of Freddie Mercury, Suggs and Boy George.

Feargal Sharkey is interviewed, where he reveals he doesn’t like Ginger Nuts and isn’t very good at sports.

Wham! get a four page feature, where they reveal that their new single I’m Your Man is about sex.

In ads, there is an advert for a new single called West End Girls by an unknown band called Pet Shop Boys.

Also getting interviewed this week is the band Mai Tai.

Paul Hardcastle is subject to a Q and A. It wasn’t N-n-n-n-n-n-nineteen questions long, but he did reveal that Joan Collins is his favourite actress.

Concert Reviews sees Smash Hits head to Glasgow for Midge Ure doing a hometown show at Barrowlands Ballroom.

There’s no guest reviewer for Singles, as In Embrace got voted Best Single.

New products on the markets were Popic Watches, watches with the image of your favourite pop band on them.

Enjoying a good review were Jesus and Mary Chain, whose new album got awarded 9 and a half out of 10.

2017 IN PICTURES – JANUARY

2017 began for me with a trip to Windsor Park to see Linfield lose 1-0 to Coleraine. Not the best start to the year.

Things got a bit better the following Saturday when I headed to The Oval to see Linfield beat Glentoran in the Irish Cup after extra-time.

It wasn’t all football in January, as I headed out to get photos of a George Michael mural which appeared in Botanic.

Back to football, and I was on the road to Lurgan to see Linfield beat Glenavon 2-1. The following Saturday, it was back to Windsor Park to see Linfield beat Ballymena United 2-0.

The next day, it was back to murals, as I headed out to get photos of a mural of Princess Leia that appeared in East Belfast, and then across Belfast to get pictures of a mural of Jon Snow. The guy from Game Of Thrones, not Channel 4 News.

The following weekend, it was back to football and back on the road, as I headed to Stangmore Park to see Linfield take on Dungannon Swifts

I then headed to Manchester for a few days, to see United take on Hull City. While there, I got some Street Art photos of Salford Quays.

I headed over on 31st Janaury. You’ll have to wait for February’s round-up for the match and Street Art in Manchester.

Linfield v Coleraine

Glentoran v Linfield

George Michael Mural

George Michael Mural Photo Album

Glenavon v Linfield

Linfield v Ballymena United

Princess Leia Mural

Princess Leia Mural Photo Album

Winter Is Coming

Winter Is Coming Photo Album

Dungannon Swifts v Linfield

Salford Quays Street Art

Salford Quays Street Art Photo Album

COS YOU GOTTA HAVE PAINT

When you hear that there is mural in Belfast of a guy called George, you immediately think it will be of George Best. However, this one is of George Kyriacos Panayiotou, better known to you and me as George Michael, who died on Christmas Day last year.

Like David Bowie and Prince before him, his death has been commemorated in Belfast with a mural.

This one is in Botanic, in India Street. Does that address sound familiar? That’s because, last month, I posted that a mural of Prince appeared there. This mural of George Michael is right beside Prince. The mural of Prince has since had a purple background added to it since I blogged about it.

The image is of the cover of his 1996 album Older.

The painting is by an artist called Glen Molloy. You probably guessed that from the fact is name is beside the George Michael.

Dubbed “The Belfast Banksy”, he recently outed himself as the artist responsible for the “Wall Of Legends” near Royal Mail offices, which was documented on this blog late last year.

He has his own Facebook page. You can like it here.

Photo Album

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : Q – FEBRUARY 1992

It’s early 1992, and Q has two big interviews as their cover stars – George Michael and Lou Reed.

As you open the magazine, Tony Wilson (Or, as Q addressed him, Anthony H Wilson) felt Q’s wrath, being the subject of their “Who the hell does …….” column.

In news, Kurt Cobain introduced himself on stage in Newcastle as “I am a homosexual. I am a drug taker, and I fuck pot-bellied pigs” while relations between George Harrison and Eric Clapton were said to be strained, as they toured Japan together.

Recent research has show that the average Radio 1 listener is 29, while the average Radio 2 listener is 61.

Freddie Mercuty of Queen had recently died, and Q does a double page picture of him on stage at Wembley, with accompanying text.

Tori Amos gets a double page spread, before you turn over the page to see a three page spread on the recently reformed Procal Harum

Also getting a three page spread is Marc Cohn, on the back of his success with Walking In Memphis.

Q does a chart of celebs who have treaded the boards in Panto over Christmas/New Year including Rod Hull in Crawley, David Essex in Bradford and Lionel Blair in Stockport.

Cover star George Michael gets featured, as Q joins him in New York, where he is about to perform two concerts at Madison Square Gardens.

Talking of concerts, Q follows up their feature on George Michael with a five page spread on ticket touting.

Lou Reed gets six pages as he prepares to bring out his 25th album, this one focusing on death.

With 1991 having just ended, Q looks back at the year, genre by genre, in a twelve page series, and then follows it with a two page look at the tours and albums coming in 1992.

In gigs, Q reviews Ned’s Atomic Dustbin at McGonagles in Dublin.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : Q – JANUARY 1993

1993 begins with U2, voted World’s Best Act, on the cover of Q, fronted by a topless Larry Mullan.

Feel the wrath of Q, in their monthly “Who the hell do …….” column are Status Quo, never the darlings of the music press.

In news, Beverley Craven has announced that her forthcoming tour will be sponsored by Tampax, Tom Jones was appearing as himself in The Simpsons,

Sony have launches the Minidisc at a ceremony, where the musical entertainment was provided by Paul Young, after George Michael pulled out, having issued a writ against Sony to have his record contract cancelled, stating “Sony appears to view artists as little more than software”

The Shamen get a double page feature after having their first Number One in 1992, and denied that Ebeneezer Goode was a pro drugs anthem, instead, labelling it a parody.

Neil Young gets interviwed by Q, and is on the warpath …… against digital music, describing it as “It’s like sensory deprivation”

There’s a Led Zeppelin reunion of sorts, as the three surviving members and Jason Bonham accept a Merit Award at the recent Q Awards, attended by stars such as Wendy James and Jesus Jones.

Seven pages are dedicated to an interview with U2, where Bono declares that his biggest surprise of their Zoo TV Tour came ……… when people turned up to see them.

In the Album Chart, it’s a compilation battle, as Erasure’s Greatest Hits album beats Cher to the top spot.

Gig listings that month included B-52s, Jason Donovan, Beverley Craven (sponsored by Tampax), Del Amitri and Status Quo.

U2 announced stadium gigs in London, Leeds, Glasgow and Cardiff.

To finish, Shakin Stevens, now known as Shaky, is subject to a brief Q and A. He thinks Bob Dylan is a very good songwriter, can’t remember the last time he was drunk, can’t leave home without his golf balls and he would have liked to have met Elvis.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : Q – JUNE 1988

“In England, my image is still dodgy” proclaims George Michael, cover star of Q, in the summer of 1988.

Facing the wrath of Q in their “Who the hell ……..” column is Janet Street-Porter.

Prince gets four pages of the processes of his new album, with rumours of British dates in the summer of 1988.

Israeli singer Ofra Haza, billed as the “Yemenite Dancing Queen”, (her parents came from Yemen), gets a double page feature, focusing on her transformation from “Israel’s answer to Olivia Newton-John” to “The toast of the fasionable Western dancefloor” in the space of then years, following the success of her hit, Im Nin Alu.

In news, Paul McCartney announces plans to release an album exclusively in Russia, claiming “Many of my loyal fans are in the Soviet Union”, and James Brown has been arrested for attempted murder.

Bruce Springsteen has announced summer gigs at Wembley, Villa Park and Bramall Lane.

Formerly of 10CC, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme get a three page interview about their video making career, complete with a photo of them in their office, surrounded by videos, and a couple of MTV awards just lying in the background.

George Michael is interviewed as he begins a solo tour in Rotterdam, complaining that he doesn’t have the credibility in the UK that he has in the US, mainly due to him being associated with Wham!

MUSICAL TASTES OF THE LINFIELD STARS

Have you ever wondered what music your favourite footballer listens to?

Well, if you support Linfield, today is your lucky day, unless of course, your favourite player didn’t get a profile feature in (Self-proclaimed) Ireland’s Biggest Soccer Magazine.

This season, Look At Linfield included a common feature of football programmes, a player profile asking players what their favourite thing of various subject matters are.

In the 1980s, all footballers listened to Phil Collins and watched Coronation Street, except when they went on a night out to the cinema to watch a movie starring Robert De Niro.

But football has moved on. Players no longer fight over controlling the Ghetto Blaster, the power struggles in dressing rooms at all levels are about who can plug their ipod into the Portable Speaker System.

So here, is a run down of the musical favourites of Linfield players and staff for your reference and/or pleasure :

COACHING/TECHNICAL STAFF

On the weekend of his 50th birthday in October, David Jeffrey was featured, stating that his favourite singer was Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen. Yep, The Boss is a fan of The Boss.

Given his past career, it’s a surprise that David Jeffrey didn’t list ‘The Model’ by Kraftwerk as his favourite song.

His favourite song, is ‘Born To Run’ by Bruce Springsteen. I’m not old enough to remember his playing career, so I can’t verify if he was.

Bryan McLaughlin’s favourite singer is George Michael. There have been times this season when you have needed to have Faith. McLaughlin is seen by many as a Father Figure to many young players.

He is also trusted by David Jeffrey and can be relied upon to share a secret as he will never have a Carelss Whisper.

Alfie Wylie stated that Roy Orbison is his favourite singer. When David Jeffrey issues and instruction to him, he can usually be heard to say “You Got It”

Terry Hayes has Lady Antebellum and David Bowie as his joint favourite acts. After a victory, Terry Hayes can usually be found Dancing In The Street, especially during Linfield’s Golden Years.

He does sun the limelight though, and doesn’t want Fame.

Even though he is responsible for the well being of Linfield’s players, he doesn’t feel Under Pressure.

PLAYERS

Ryan Henderson says his favourite band is Coldplay. Having spent a period on the treatment table, the rumours that he asked Terry Hayes to play ‘Fix You’ during treatment are unfounded, as he tried to get fit in order to make runs into the opposition penalty area at the Speed Of Sound.

Matthew Tipton’s favourite band is Stone Roses. After a disappointing 2012-2013 season, hopefully the 2013-2014 season will the his Second Coming as an Irish League goalscoring force.

After stating that his favourite band is The Wanted, i’d like to think Brian McCaul is kept well away from the stereo. He does say that his favourite song is ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’ by Aerosmith, which appears to be his motto when taking penalties.

Of the three teenagers featured, one of them sticks out for having a different taste.

Niall Quinn (Drake) and Ross Clarke (Sasha and Digweed) show me up for being and old fart by liking acts I have vaguely heard of but I guess are quite big wiv da kidz, while Ross Glendenning lists Snow Patrol as his favourite band.

When offered a new contract earlier in the season, Glendenning was advised to Just Say Yes.

Johnny Black’s favourite band is Matchbox Twenty and his favourite song ‘3AM’, although ‘Mad Season’ would have been more apt.

Stephen Douglas is a player who divides opinion within Linfield’s support. Some Might Say his legend will Live Forever, All Around The World. His favourite band, is Oasis and his favourite song is Wonderwall.

Ironically, at training, they were working on a routine where he received the ball from a throw-in, and he would build an attack.

David Jeffrey could be heard to shout “Today is gonna be the day that they’re gonna throw it back to you. By now you should have somehow, realised what you’ve got to do”

If you’re wondering why there are so few entries, it’s because the series ended in January. At least it lasted longer than Linfield’s title challenge.

MUSICAL FAVOURITES IN FULL

Johnny Black – Matchbox Twenty
Ross Clarke – Sasha and Digweed
Steven Douglas – Oasis
Ross Glendenning – Snow Patrol
Terry Hayes – Lady Antebellum/David Bowie
Ryan Henderson – Coldplay
David Jeffrey – Bruce Springsteen
Brian McCaul – The Wanted
Brian McLaughlin – George Michael
Niall Quinn – Drake
Matthew Tipton – Stone Roses
Alfie Wylie – Roy Orbison

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : NO 1 – 22.12.1984

It’s Christmas 1984, there’s no need to be afraid.

A quick look at Wikipedia tells us that No 1 was a Smash Hits type magazine which ran from 1983-1992.

There is a split cover, with John Taylor looking back on the year with Tony Hadley, and Paul Weller being interviewed by Boy Goerge. In further surrealness, Madness go skiing with the Thompson Twins, while Kim While goes partying with Nick Heyward. It is unknown if Kim Wilde and Nick Heyward’s party involved drunkenly singing on the tube.

John Taylor and Tony Hadley look back at the year, of big Number Ones (but not for their respective bands)

Highlights include :

John Taylor

(On the book, 1984) “It may be a lot closer to what is happening in Chile and Poland”

(On the Miner’s Strike) “The actual cause appears to be establish Arthur Scargill as the leader of the country”

(On Ronald Reagan) “It’s a bit better than that miserable git Mondale”

Tony Hadley

(On football) “I quite like football, but I never have the time to keep up with what’s happening”

(On Ronald Reagan) “I dislike Ronald Reagan. He thinks he’s John Wayne”

Meanwhile, Nick Heyward and Kim Wilde do a picture story of them getting ready to go on a date.

Various pop stars are given a platform for their highs and lows of 1984. Simon Le Bon’s low point was ‘Wild Boys’ not getting to Number One. I’m with him on this one, it’s Duran Duran’s best song, and should have been a Number One.

Tom Bailey, Jay Aston and Curt Smith have political issues as their low point, with Curt Smith having a similar viewpoint on Arthur Scargill as John Taylor.

Sarah from Bananarama rejoices in having a US Top Ten hit, while bemoaning stepping on dogshit in a carpark in Germany.

Paul Weller lists Ronald Reagan’s re-election as US President as his low point of 1984.

Roddy Frame is in support of the Miner’s Strike, describing it as his high point of 1984.

Tracey Ullman lists Lionel Ritchie’s video for ‘Hello’ as her 1984 low point. Time has shown it to be a classic pop video …….. in a ‘so bad it’s good’ kind of way.

Gary Glitter bemoans the lack of jobs for young people. Not going to comment on that.

No 1 readers were out voting for their favourite song of 1984, voting for ‘Careless Whisper’ by George Michael as the best song of the year. Wasn’t even the best George Michael song (Freedom by Wham since you ask, his best ever song he has recorded)

Ali and Robin Campbell get a double page spread talking about Christmas in the Campbell household. Ali Campbell’s first Christmas present that he can remember was a pair of George Best football boots.

There is an advert for music VHS including U2 Live At Red Rocks, and Now That’s What I Call Music 4.

Bucks Fizz are reviewing the recent singles, with Mike Nolan describing Band Aid as “It reminds me of that song by Greg Emerson, I mean, Greg Lake” and saying “If Queen can’t do a good Chritsmas song, I don’t think anyone can” before adding “I prefer ‘Mull Of Kintye'” in reference to Paul McCartney’s Frog Chorus.