MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : 16 – APRIL 1973

This week, we go to the US and 16 Magazine, a teen magazine which ran until 2001.

As you open the magazine, there is a poster of Donny Osmond, and an article about him being “Kicked out” of his house, but only because the painters were in.

There is a feature on Rick Springfield, as he goes on tour in Europe.

In promotions, for just $1, you could get a poster of your favourite pin-up such as Marc Bolan, Butch Patrick or Bobby Sherman.

Rick Springfield and Donny Osmond were joined in a lyrics page, featuring the words to their newest singles.

There is a new columnist introduced, Latoyah Jackson, who will answer your queries in a segment called Tell It To Toy.

Donny Osmond answers questions from readers in a segment called Dear Donny, revealing that a neat and well groomed girl catches his eye, and that Marie Osmond goes to his concerts.

There is a look at celebrity birthdays and things they like, including Andy and David Williams (twins), Marlon Jackson and Jay Osmond.

In adverts, there was an advert for a book called How To Be Popular And Pretty, which cost $1.

There is a look at the role of Keith Partridge in The Partridge Family, hypothetically looking at who would replace David Cassidy if he was to leave the show. Suggestions for playing Keith Partridge included Shaun Cassidy, Sean Kelly and Steve Hudis.

There is another poster, this time of Marc Bolan, described as “England’s brightest superstar”

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : Q – FEBRUARY 1993

A shirtless Brett Anderson is the cover star of Q in early 1993, accompanied by the headline “The band of 1993”

Oliver Reed feels the wrath of Q’s “Who The Hell Does …..” column a few pages in.

In news, Later With Jools Holland has got a new series and an earlier timeslot, now going out at 10pm on a Friday. Nicky Wire got into trouble after yelling “I hope Michael Stipe goes the same way as Freddie Mercury” at a gig, prompting some fans to give him a mouthful after the gig.

Meanwhile, The Edge’s dog ran away from home.

In other news, the tree that Marc Bolan hit when he died has shown signs of decay and might have to be chopped down. Factory records has collapsed under £2m of debt

The Levellers, having had a successful year, are the subject of a three page feature.

1992 gets a 12 page review, looking back at the events of the year, a year when U2 and Nirvana went big in different ways.

Shane MacGowan gets a five page interview, which stereotypically takes place in a wine bar.

In adverts, British Waterways are advertising Countryside Holidays, promoting the value of water based activities.

Bryan Ferry is on the comeback trail and doing his first interview in five years, and doesn’t react well to jibes about him being a country gent, saying “I lived in the country for a bit but I was never a fully paid-up Land Rover driver, though I have Wellington boots, both green and black”

Q gives four pages to cover stars Suede, stating that they are doing for Haywards Heath what Paul Weller has done for Woking, describing Suede as “Britain’s sexiest band, bringing back glamour not seen since Roxy Music”, nicely linking in with Bryan Ferry’s interview a few pages earlier.

There is then a double page feature on how the music scene in 1993 resembles the scene in 1973, while jokingly pointing out that some of 1973’s biggest stars are still going strong in terms of album sales in 1993.

In reviews, Ian McShane has brought out an album. Yes, that Ian McShane, Lovejoy. Or Deadwood, if you prefer. Q only gave him one star.

Riding high in the album charts this month were Cher, Erasure, Michael Bolton, Gloria Estefan, Genesis and Simple Minds.

After Neil Young went on the warpath against digital music the previous month, John Bauldie meets musicians who still record using analogue.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : SEP 26 – OCT 2

We begin this week with the suavest man in the North-East of England …….. not Jimmy Nail, but Bryan Ferry.

Bryan Ferry wrote “Slave To Love” after Courtney Love won a charity auction for him to be her servant.

And now, a much loved popular Australian* actress and singer ……..

Bet you’re all expecting Kylie.

(* She was actually born in England though. Pity she wasn’t born in Greece, then you could say Olivia Newton John from Grease is from Greece)

And a Legs and Co tribute.

Remember Hilary Duff?

Suede. Anything but Trash. Back in the days when Mat Osman was the most famous member of his family.

Bros are 46 this week.

The answer to that question is, 1988, briefly.

Marc Bolan would have been 67 this week.

Meanwhile, it’s been a while since Sugababes have been on this blog.

Mariska Veres of Shocking Blue would also have been 67 this week, born the day after Marc Bolan.

(WARNING : Intro contains Jimmy Savile)

Don McLean appeared on TOTP a long long time ago, but I can still remember.

Meanwhile, if you ever need your car fixed, why not try Mike Rutherford from Genesis?

I don’t know what i’d do if I ever lost my faith in Sting.

Phil Oakey turned 59 today. He’s only human.

Remember Aqua?

Lynsey De Paul died today. Here she is getting ready for Eurovision in 1977.

And we finish this week, with a not very well drawn boy.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : SEP 12 – SEP 18

We begin this week with Maria Mulduar’s 71st birthday, and a Brand New Heavies cover of her, a song, not about Noel or Liam Gallagher.

James Bourne of Busted, remember them? He turns 30 this week.

Busted’s 7th album is rather good.

You’ve been waiting all year for this …… a bit of A-Ha.

You may be amused to hear there’s a town in Norway called Horten. It’s unknown if it has a market, or if Morten Harket has ever been to Horten Market.

Cast. They’re Alright. La.

And while we’re on a 90s theme …..

Sad anniversary time, it’s 37 years since Marc Bolan died.

Joanne Catherall celebrated a birthday this week. Contrary to popular belief, she never worked as a waitress in a coktail bar.

And finally, a Belfast girl turned 30 this week. She has spent a lot of those 30 years researching how many bicycles there are in Beijing.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : MAR 21 – MAR 27

Hello and welcome to this week’s look back at 50 years of Top Of The Pops (Or, to be pedantic, 42 years and 8 years worth of Christmas specials)

This week’s first birthday of note is Guy Chadwick, lead singer of House Of Love. Unfortunately, we don’t have a clip of them performing ‘Shine On’, but we do have East 17 performing ‘House Of Love’, a song not about the early 90s band of the same name.

East 17 of course, were named after their local postcode. If they came from East Belfast, they would have been called BT4, BT5 or BT6, depending on whereabouts in East Belfast they came from.

Also celebrating this week is Sarah Jane Morris of The Communards. This, is an epic tune. BAAYYYYYBAAYYYY!!!!!

and … Jonas Berggren from Ace Of Base. I once got lost en route to an Ace Of Base concert trying to find the venue ………. then, I, saw the sign.

And from Sweden, we head to Canada, for a bit of Sum 41.

And from Canada, to Liverpool, for Pete Wylie’s birthday.

And now, to chill the mood a bit, with a bit of Beverley Knight.

Our globetrotting adventures now take us to the suavest man in Glasgow. If you really need to be told, Marti Pellow of Wet Wet Wet, who spent the whole of 1994 at Number One. How exactly, was a Sweet Little Mystery. I know you’ll love these next few clips. Why? I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes.

Our birthday travels this week take us now to the Mockney King (from Colchester) …… Damon Albarn (And yes, I am aware he doesn’t sing on the first song)

And now ……. we go to Germany for one of the best songs of the 1980s. A woman who wouldn’t make a good Financial Advisor as she spent all her money on a bag of balloons. Since you ask, I counted, there were 78 balloons in the studio when this was filmed. BBC Cutbacks.

And from Germany, we go to German based West Indians …….. singing a song about The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Ironically, Bobby Farrell of Boney M had the most Belfasty name in pop.

39 this week was Mel Blatt from All Saints. Here she is as a solo artist.

Milestone time now, and Diana Ross was born 70 years ago this week. So, as a tribute, here’s Steps covering ‘Chain Reaction’

Wee treat for you for Tony Banks of Genesis birthday (the one who isn’t Phil Collins or the guy from Mike and the Mechanics) …. a studio appearance from 1992

With all these births, unfortunately, we have a death anniversary. Ian Dury died 14 years ago today.

And finally, Elton John *whispers* turned 67 this week.

This, is his best song, performed nearly 20 years after it came out on a TOTP Special.

I used to think the chorus went “Coco Heart” when I was younger.

And, if you don’t know already, he didn’t play on this song, just mimed on TOTP.

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 16.9.2011

1. Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks
2. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – AKA …. What A Life
3. Girl Crisis – The Sign
4. Snow Patrol – Called Out In The Dark
5. Ryan Adams – New York, New York

FIVE MARC BOLAN SONGS

Seeing as today marks the 34th anniversary of the death of Marc Bolan, here’s five songs for you to listen to.

1. Metal Guru
2. Children Of The Revolution
3. Solid Gold Easy Action
4. I Love To Boogie
5. 20th Century Boy