IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN

THE MUSIC PRESS

1926

Was the year of the rise of inkies. Inkies where a

type of magazine but in newspaper form both the

Melody Maker and the very famous NME where both

inkies. During the 60’s and 70’s these where the

king of the newsstands. As these where more like

newspapers they where more up to date and current.

The information in these papers would be more

detailed and in-depth, just as you would get in a

normal newspaper.

1936

Even though Billboard music magazine was first published

in 1894 this is the year that the iconic magazine published

its first chart on music on single sales and radio airplay.

1966

Was the year of the fanzine. Fanzines are make

your own magazines. Originally they were created by

comic book enthusiasts but this year music fanzines

began. These could be created at home, so fans

could create and sell a document of they’re genre of

music to other like-minded fans. Fanzines were more

localized and immediate ,they often featured niche

music interests that the larger magazines may well

overlook.

1967

Rolling stones was made in San Francisco by a independent

publishing company by both the editor and publisher Jann Wenner.

The magazine recognized that the whole culture around the youth

music needed reporting. Rolling Stone was not just a list of new

releases and acts but focused more on the political and cultural

implications of the music.

1978

Was the year that Smash Hit’s was first published.

Smash Hits concentrated on pop and especially the

personalities behind the music. Smash Hits could be

accused of starting our obsessions with celebrity.

Now nearly all of the music magazines are biased to

there specific genre.

1980

Changing The Face of the magazine. Nick Logan

was the first person to do so, creating a

sophisticated grown up version of Smash Hits(which

he had edited) called The Face. Not only did the

front cover turn glossy with bright vivid colours but

advertising, fashion shoot and photo shoots where

added. This was a really big contrast in comparison

to the inkies. This appealed to the older generation

as they wanted to see celebrities and lifestyle advice.

1980

This year was when memorabilia was massive. A

magazine called Record Collector was full of

advertising and sources of buying and selling.

Enthusiasts would contact each other and many

artcles were written about the readers

(collectors)... Still in print today but much of what

it does is now on the internet.