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Poptastic The best (& some of the rest of) Smash Hits magazine 1978-2006 (RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP)!!!! Big Poptastic! Retro-tastic! x

shout out to the truly fantabulous Smash Hits Remembered site for much of the source material here. You guys rock, as well as pop and disco and more no doubt. Also special mention to magazinecanteen.com for helping to fill the mag gaps. Please visit their site and purchase copies to help them stay lovingly surrounded by copious amounts of ink, paper and coverlines! Thanx also to crazyaboutmagazine

s.com who are a one stop shop for all your fab mag needs from the past like Ver Hits. If any dear souls could assist us with copies missing from the Hits collection (the 1990s are v. depleted and the noughties a horror story) please message us NOW!

Today, January 28, is also the birthday of one of Britain's brightest comedians, one Frank Skinner. He's turning 66 righ...
28/01/2024

Today, January 28, is also the birthday of one of Britain's brightest comedians, one Frank Skinner. He's turning 66 right this very minute. Frank once made the pages of Smash Hits - in the form of an advertisement in 2000 for some kind of "initiative" (i.e. a PR exercise to make a corporation look good usually) for Rupert Murdoch's Sky business. It didn't really make much sense, the photo was blurry and the message was obtuse, but at least got his pic in Britain's brightest pop mag after all, eh?!

Also celebrating a birthday today on 28 January is Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter who turns 44 – yes, 44!!! – years young ...
28/01/2024

Also celebrating a birthday today on 28 January is Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter who turns 44 – yes, 44!!! – years young right this very minute! Here’s a piece on Nick from Smash Hits in 2002 when he was asked to describe his favourite colour, animal and the one thing that makes him happy (“the ocean”). Sadly, no one got credited for this iconic BB interview.

Celebrating a birthday today on 28 January is Steps star Lee Latchford-Evans who turns 49 right this minute. To help him...
28/01/2024

Celebrating a birthday today on 28 January is Steps star Lee Latchford-Evans who turns 49 right this minute. To help him celebrate we’ve gone back through the Smash Hits annals (oo-er!) and found this bunch of terrific stuff on Lee (and Steps) from 25 years ago in 1999 including when Lee was “attacked” by the Smash Hits biscuit tin. 5-6-7-8 - look out, mate!

On the cover of Smash Hits today, on 28 January 1998, were Aqua who were getting all wishy washy on the cover. Certainly...
28/01/2024

On the cover of Smash Hits today, on 28 January 1998, were Aqua who were getting all wishy washy on the cover. Certainly it must be the first (and perhaps only?) time that a snorkel set appeared on the face of a pop star on the cover. Scandinavians, eh?! Inside John Hindmarsh decided to unearth their dark secrets but that too was a bit wishy washy. Pah.

On the cover of Smash Hits today, on 28 January 1987, were those hipsters known as Swing Out Sister who were so hip they...
28/01/2024

On the cover of Smash Hits today, on 28 January 1987, were those hipsters known as Swing Out Sister who were so hip they didn’t even get a coverline to go with their name! Gadzoinks ahoy! Inside the issue the trio spoke to – who else? – but Chris Heath about their terrifying world, which was actually a beat-up to try to make people more interested in them. Rumbled.

Released 40 years ago today, on 27 January 1984, was Cyndi Lauper’s self-penned second single, “Time After Time”, and th...
27/01/2024

Released 40 years ago today, on 27 January 1984, was Cyndi Lauper’s self-penned second single, “Time After Time”, and the follow-up to “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”. It went to #3 in the UK and all the way to #1 in the US and has since become a powerballad classic. Here’s the "timeless" Smash Hits songwords for it, plus a review by Ian Birch calling it “addictive”.

Celebrating a birthday today, on 27 January, is none other than Take That’s original “Babe” himself, Mark Owen, who turn...
27/01/2024

Celebrating a birthday today, on 27 January, is none other than Take That’s original “Babe” himself, Mark Owen, who turns 52. Here’s some classic posters of Mark we've dug up from Smash Hits between 1993 and 1996, a gorge Take That 1994 poster, plus a Take That cartoon from 1996 which made fun of their cover appearance that year where they pulled funny faces. Happy birthday Mr Owen!

25 years ago today on the cover of Smash Hits, on 27 January 1999, was a beaming Ronan Keating who was truly becoming a ...
27/01/2024

25 years ago today on the cover of Smash Hits, on 27 January 1999, was a beaming Ronan Keating who was truly becoming a jack of all trades. Inside the issue Ronan spoke to the magazine’s Alex Needham about all of his day-to-day activities which even included being Westlife’s manager at that stage, although they were still called WestSide at that stage. Fancy that.

Released 45 years ago today, on 26 January 1979, was Lene Lovich’s classic “Lucky Number” ditty. Originally the B-side t...
26/01/2024

Released 45 years ago today, on 26 January 1979, was Lene Lovich’s classic “Lucky Number” ditty. Originally the B-side to her cover of the song “I Think We’re Alone Now” (which a decade later Tiffany made a hit again), it was wisely selected as a A-side,reaching #3 in the UK and even better at #2 in Australia. Here’s a Smash Hits interview with Lene from 1979 by Cliff White.

Another pop person celebrating their 61st birthday today, on January 26, is former Soul II Soul mainstay Jazzie B (known...
26/01/2024

Another pop person celebrating their 61st birthday today, on January 26, is former Soul II Soul mainstay Jazzie B (known to his mother as Trevor!). Here’s a classic interview with Jazzie from the pages of Smash Hits some 35 years ago in 1989 conducted by a young Chris Heath. We’ve also thrown in a bonus Jazzie poster from the year for a little “back to reality” check!

Celebrating a birthday today, on January 26, is former Wham! hunk Andrew Ridgeley who turns 61. Last year he not only in...
26/01/2024

Celebrating a birthday today, on January 26, is former Wham! hunk Andrew Ridgeley who turns 61. Last year he not only inducted fellow Whammer George Michael posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but he also saw Wham!’s “Last Christmas” top the UK charts for the first time. Here’s a classic 1984 poster from Smash Hits and Andy’s fave cars! Happy birthday AR!

Celebrating a heavenly birthday today, on 25 January, is soul mama Etta James who should be turning 86. Sadly, she passe...
25/01/2024

Celebrating a heavenly birthday today, on 25 January, is soul mama Etta James who should be turning 86. Sadly, she passed away in 2012 at the age of 73 from leukemia. Etta was portrayed by Beyonce in the movie “Cadillac Records” and in 1996 her 1961 single “I Just Want To Make Love To You” was re-released after its use in a diet cola ad and went to #5. RIP Etta James.

Celebrating a birthday today, on 25 January, is soulstress Alicia Keys who turns 43 years young. Here’s a hat-tastic pos...
25/01/2024

Celebrating a birthday today, on 25 January, is soulstress Alicia Keys who turns 43 years young. Here’s a hat-tastic poster of Alicia from the pages of Smash Hits 22 years ago in 2002 which would have made her all of 21 years old at the time, less than a year after her debut “Songs In A Minor” was released. In 2002 the Library of Congress selected it for preservation.

Released 40 years ago today, on 25 January 1984, was Marilyn’s second single, the haunting and gospel-tinged “Cry And Be...
25/01/2024

Released 40 years ago today, on 25 January 1984, was Marilyn’s second single, the haunting and gospel-tinged “Cry And Be Free” which sadly only managed to get to #31 in the UK charts although it did better in Australia where it got to #24. Here’s the ad for the single that appeared in Smash Hits. His debut album, “Despite Straight Lines” didn’t get released until 1985. Pah.

35 years ago today on the cover of Smash Hits, on 25 January 1989, Yazz was celebrating her third Smash Hits cover in le...
25/01/2024

35 years ago today on the cover of Smash Hits, on 25 January 1989, Yazz was celebrating her third Smash Hits cover in less than three months. Inside the issue she spoke to the always hilarious and wacky Sylvia Patterson about how she used to be an Australian aborigine in a previous life, why she believed superstition is a form a fear and not believing in organized religion. A decade later and she became a born again Christian.

Another person celebrating a birthday today on January 24 is A1’s Paul Marazzi. He left the band in 2002 for personal re...
24/01/2024

Another person celebrating a birthday today on January 24 is A1’s Paul Marazzi. He left the band in 2002 for personal reasons although the considered view is that he thought the band’s new album wasn’t much chop, but he did reunite with them some years later. Here’s a classic A1 2002 feature from Smash Hits by Serena Lacey which insists “A is for Attitude”. Cripes.

Also celebrating a birthday today on January 24 is American soul legend Aaron Neville who turns 83 years young this very...
24/01/2024

Also celebrating a birthday today on January 24 is American soul legend Aaron Neville who turns 83 years young this very minute. His biggest UK single came 35 years ago in 1989 when he teamed up with Linda Ronstadt for the duet “Don’t Know Much” which it reached #2 in both the US and UK. Here’s a piece Smash Hits did on Linda in 1987 because, er, we don’t know much.

Celebrating his 71st birthday today on January 24 is American singer/songwriter Matthew Wilder, most famous for his 1984...
24/01/2024

Celebrating his 71st birthday today on January 24 is American singer/songwriter Matthew Wilder, most famous for his 1984 hit “Break My Stride” which was a top 5 hit in both the UK and US. Although that’s his best known hit Matthew later produced music for No Doubt, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus and was nominated for an Oscar for his score for the Disney animated movie “Mulan”.

Released 40 years ago today, on 23 January 1984, was Duran Duran’s single “New Moon On Monday”. A somewhat disappointing...
23/01/2024

Released 40 years ago today, on 23 January 1984, was Duran Duran’s single “New Moon On Monday”. A somewhat disappointing chart result put the track at #9 in the UK and #10 in the US. The band would have a lot more luck with their next single, however, “The Reflex” which thanks to a spiffy Nile Rodgers remix reached #1 in both the UK and the US. Hurrah!

Also on the cover of Smash Hits today, on 23 January 2002, were four popstars who clearly wouldn’t have sold the magazin...
23/01/2024

Also on the cover of Smash Hits today, on 23 January 2002, were four popstars who clearly wouldn’t have sold the magazine on their own and so instead were collectively clumped together as “Young, s*xy and cool”. While you may have some trouble identifying who they are, the foursome are Jenny from Atomic Kitten, Brendan from Wheatus, Tina from S Club and Duncan from Blue. Sadly, Ben from A1 and Samantha Mumba inside didn’t make the cover. Crumbs.

On the cover of Smash Hits 20 years ago today, on 23 January 2004, was Calvin, one of the blokes from S Club 8. With a p...
23/01/2024

On the cover of Smash Hits 20 years ago today, on 23 January 2004, was Calvin, one of the blokes from S Club 8. With a pink kiss on the cover and the headline “Will you be my girlfriend?” the rot had set in at Smash Hits, now no longer a music magazine but a teen girl title. As you might imagine, this is all that remains of this issue in the Smash Hits archives. Sigh.

Celebrating a birthday today on 22 January is Jazzy Jeff, who turns 59 years young. He is most famous for his work as DJ...
22/01/2024

Celebrating a birthday today on 22 January is Jazzy Jeff, who turns 59 years young. He is most famous for his work as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (aka Will Smith) and here’s an early 90s feature on them written by Tom Doyle with photo by Neil Cooper that ran in the pages of Smash Hits where he revealed the freshest cause to fight for was safe s*x. Bless.

Celebrating a heavenly birthday today, on 22 January, is former INXS lead vox (and partner to Kylie Minogue, Helena Chri...
22/01/2024

Celebrating a heavenly birthday today, on 22 January, is former INXS lead vox (and partner to Kylie Minogue, Helena Christensen and Paula Yates at various times) Michael Hutchence. He should be turning 64, but sadly he passed away in 1997 at the age of 37 from what is suspected to have been su***de. Here’s some classic Hutch moments from Smash Hits at home and away! RIP MH.

21 years ago today on the cover of Smash Hits, on 22 January 2003, were only two of the blokes from Blazin’ Squad (make ...
22/01/2024

21 years ago today on the cover of Smash Hits, on 22 January 2003, were only two of the blokes from Blazin’ Squad (make of that what you will!). We’d love to show you more of this issue (including Gareth Gates with the terrific headline of “I love hooveirng naked” and Holly Valance revealing “the truth about me and Abs”) but sadly this issue is missing from the Smash Hits archives. Can you help?

One of our fave Kylie Minogue tunes, “In Your Eyes” was released today, on 21 January is 2002. Co-written by Kyles it hi...
21/01/2024

One of our fave Kylie Minogue tunes, “In Your Eyes” was released today, on 21 January is 2002. Co-written by Kyles it hit #3 in the UK charts, but went to #1 in her native Australia. Here’s how Smash Hits reviewed it at the time awarding it four stars and calling it “a dark and moody end-of-the-night track”. We still reckon it’s one of Kyles’ underrated best. The "eyes" have it!

Celebrating her 48th birthday today on 21 January is Baby Spice aka Emma Bunton. Now a successful London radio host, she...
21/01/2024

Celebrating her 48th birthday today on 21 January is Baby Spice aka Emma Bunton. Now a successful London radio host, she’s also released four solo albums since splitting with the Spiceys with her most recent being 2019’s “My Happy Place” which just missed the UK top ten albums at #11. She’s also a mum with two kiddies and we hope they spoil her rotten today! Hurrah!

On the cover of Smash Hits today, on 21 January 1982, were the three remaining members of Depeche Mode after Vince Clark...
21/01/2024

On the cover of Smash Hits today, on 21 January 1982, were the three remaining members of Depeche Mode after Vince Clarke had fled the band to go and make records with other bands instead. The feature inside, by Mark Ellen called the split “a clean break” although according to the members of Depeche it had become “a Him and Us situation. Sounds messy.

Also on the cover of Smash Hits today, on 20 January 1993, were the red hot East 17. Inside the issue it was time for a ...
19/01/2024

Also on the cover of Smash Hits today, on 20 January 1993, were the red hot East 17. Inside the issue it was time for a “lads’ night out!” with scribe Pete Stanton close at hand for an evening that involved fluffy pigs, creamy desserts and a lot of imbibing of alcoholic beverages (remember – don’t try this at home, kids, definitely do not try this at home!).

Our final celebrity birthday for today, January 20, is the original “Pop Idol” himself. Will Young who turns 45. In his ...
19/01/2024

Our final celebrity birthday for today, January 20, is the original “Pop Idol” himself. Will Young who turns 45. In his honour we’ve found a bunch of fabulous Smash Hits features on Will from 2002 – his big winning year! – which includes a brief interview where he is called “Pop’s Mr Polite” and a game along the long and winding road leading to Will or Gareth Gates! Ha!

Another popstar celebrating a birthday today on 20 January is Manic Street Preachers’ Nicky Wire who turns 55 right this...
19/01/2024

Another popstar celebrating a birthday today on 20 January is Manic Street Preachers’ Nicky Wire who turns 55 right this very minute. Here’s that time in 1993 when Nicky took on the Smash Hits “biscuit tin” and answered some very personal questions including “Have you ever worn fishnet stocking?”, “Do you shout at the TV” and “What kind of drunk are you”! Manic or wot?

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