MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : SMASH HITS – 10.2.1988

In answer to their question, appearing on the cover of Smash Hits is probably a good sign that Bros are famous. They found being on the cover of Smash Hits to be weird, having read the magazine at school.

As you open the magazine, there is a poster of Morrissey.

In competitions, you could win an Eddie Cochran single and a Levi’s T-shirt, or you could try to win an AC/DC satchel. Larry Mullan Jnr is interviewed, where he reveals people ask him to hold their umbrella for them while they got Bono’s autograph.

The American and Australian versions of Smash Hits had their Readers Polls, with the results being published. Duran Duran were popular in America, while Australian acts were unsurprisingly popular in Australia.

There is a profile of American star Taylor Dayne, riding high in the charts with Tell It To My Heart.

Kylie Minogue gets a poster an and interview, where she reveals she doesn’t like her teeth.

Debbie Gibson gets a double page interview, where she offers readers a guide to America.

In tours, you could see Pink Floyd, Robert Plant or Erasure if you wished.

Beastie Boys get a double page interview, where they say they want to start a Heavy Metal TV channel.

The Bangles get interviewed where Susanna reveals that her favourite music is Terence Trent D’Arby, Peter Gabriel and Rolling Stones.

Patsy Kensit reviews new singles, giving her favourite to Sting, and admitting to liking early Echo and the Bunnymen, but not knowing who The Doors were.

In concerts, Tiffany gets reviewed as she tours UK shopping centres.

The magazine ends with a double page interview with cover stars Bros.

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.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : DEC 26 – DEC 31

The final episode of the series, which i’ve enjoyed writing and sharing with you.

You never know, the BBC might bring it back on a weekly basis. Let’s go out on a high with some classics, and some not so classic.

I’ll probably rehash this in 2024 for 60 Years Of Top Of The Pops. If not, i’ll see you in 2048 for 50 Years Of CD:UK.

And finally, Bobby Farrell died four years ago, on the same day, and in the same city as Rasputin.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : RECORD MIRROR – 19.12.1987

A week short of his 30th birthday, and with ‘Fairytale Of New York’ riding high in the charts, Shane Magowan is the cover star of Record Mirror, as Christmas 1987 approaches.

In news, Sinitta is getting ready to release an album, Sheffield is “emerging as the unlikely centre of British Dance Music” and Tiffany is about to launch herself in the UK.

Ever wondered how Tiffany relaxes? “I like to talk on the phone, watch cartoons and go to the mall and eat pizza with my friends” she says.

Queen have released a documentary video, and Heart have announced Birmingham and London gigs for March 1988.

Also announcing gigs were INXS, in Glasgow, Bradford, Cardiff and Leicester – extra dates added due to demand.

There isn’t much in the way of articles, but there is a double page spread with The Alarm, and a photographic history of the Bee Gees.

Stock, Aitken and Waterman are interviewed, speaking about suing M/A/R/R/S, working with Judas Priest singer Rob Halford.

What was SAW’s ambition for 1988?

“For just one week, I want every record in the Top Ten to be produced by us” according to Matt Aitken.

Cover star Shane Magowan gets a double page interview. The interview is with Stuart Baillie, now of Radio Ulster and Oh Yeah Centre.

Back page poster is Pet Shop Boys, quite apt given the cover star, as it was Pet Shop Boys v The Pogues in the battle for Christmas Number 1 in 1987.