Smash Hits
Kate Bush: Things Your Mother Never Told You
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, October 1979
NOW HOW can I put this without being rude? When I first heard 'Wuthering Heights' Kate Bush's voice reminded me of, well...come on, out with ...
Gary Numan: Playing To The Aliens
Interview by Jon Savage, Smash Hits, November 1979
John Savage finds out what success means to Gary Numan. ...
Selecter, The: The Selecter: 'Two Tone, Black And White, That's The Whole Thing'
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, January 1980
Mike Stand (a sort of grubby grey) checks out The Selecter ...
Mike Oldfield: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Mike Oldfield Finds Out That Success Has Its Problems
Interview by Fred Dellar, Smash Hits, January 1980
MIKE OLDFIELD strokes the tabby cat that sits on his lap. Though in the comfort of his own home, he's uneasy, unsure. It's a bad ...
Interview by Fred Dellar, Smash Hits, February 1980
GEOFF DOWNES is the one with 20/20 vision. Trevor Horn is the one with the go-go goggles. Together they're the Buggles, purveyors of clean-machine pop, ...
Jam, The: The Jam: Riding Waves And Setting Standards
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, March 1980
WHEN I met Paul Weller I saw red. His shirt, his trousers, his pullover, his shoes – and I daresay his St. Michael Y-fronts – ...
Madness: The Importance of Being Nutty
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, April 1980
Mike Stand diagnoses Madness ... ...
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, June 1980
Mike Stand takes his 2HB and a C90 up the M6 to meet UB40 ...
Korgis, The: The Korgis: Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime
Interview by Fred Dellar, Smash Hits, July 1980
WE'VE BEEN out and about on a photo session. It’s involved a wander round to the local skateboard park, now a decrepit slab of bumpy ...
Bob Marley & the Wailers: Bob Marley: Better Off Dread
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, August 1980
IF THE first time you heard Bob Marley and the Wailers was when ‘Could You Be Loved’ came skanking out of the radio, you probably ...
Grace Jones: This Year's Model
Interview by Mary Harron, Smash Hits, September 1980
Mary Harron meets The Height Of Fashion ...
XTC: Optimism Is Next Week’s Thing
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, September 1980
TERRY CHAMBERS said, "I want to talk to you". I said, "Fine". Fine. Then the drummer walked away and I didn't see him again until ...
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, November 1980
TOYAH WILCOX is 22. Before this winter she had featured in four movies, Quadrophenia, Derek Jarman’s Jubilee and The Tempest, plus The Corn Is Green ...
Tom Waits: Waits And Double Measures
Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, March 1981
PUT YOURSELF in my place. Scant hours earlier I'd been regaled with the tale of how, in an interview the previous day, Tom had turned ...
Classix Nouveaux: Art Nouveaux
Profile and Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, April 1981
Mike Stand presents a crash course in the Classix ...
Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, April 1981
Pete Silverton takes a short course in Metalwork. ...
Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, May 1981
SHE CHOSE the name... "Because there is a very sweet side to me – Honey – and there's a really horrible side to me – ...
Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, May 1981
WHEN MARTY Wilde shot to fame in 1959 (look it up in a history book), the only questions anybody ever asked pop singers were about ...
Kirsty MacColl: A Chip Off The Old Block
Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, June 1981
"DON'T ASK A lot of questions about me Dad!" pleads Kirsty MacColl, flicking back the glorious swathe of hair dotted with tell-tale Red Indian braids. ...
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, July 1981
Mike Stand gets the lowdown on electro-disco from Rusty Egan. ...
Undertones, The: The Undertones: the Famous Five go to Finland
Profile by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, August 1981
IN JULY in Helsinki, Finland, the only darkness you can find is inside buildings with no windows. Buildings like the "Travastia Klubi" where the Undertones ...
Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, August 1981
"I must be the most boring person in the world..." sighs Chrissie Hynde. "What on earth is she on abut?" wonders Pete Silverton. ...
Spandau Ballet: Journey to Glory: Spandau Ballet
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, August 1981
OH THE languid suave of it! Oh the sunshine, the street café, the iced cocktails! Oh the elegant beaus and the graceful belles! Oh to ...
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, September 1981
"HAVEN'T YOU heard? I'm a Fifth Columnist for the Year Of Disabled People. They've bribed me massively." ...
Pointer Sisters, The: The Pointer Sisters: Look! Slow hands…
Interview by Barney Hoskyns, Smash Hits, September 1981
WITH THE sultry ‘Slow Hand’ firmly placed at No. 2 in the US and showing every sign of going Top Ten over here, The Pointer ...
Meat Loaf: Loaf Story, Or How To Sell Eight Million Albums When Nobody’s Looking
Profile and Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, September 1981
MEAT LOAF'S Bat Out Of Hell album was unquestionably one of the rock phenomena of the last decade. And, of course, success is wonderful... but ...
Human League, The: The Human League: The Big League
Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, October 1981
1977 ― progressive, poverty-stricken, "hip". 1981 ― accepted, bankable... (and still "hip"!). Ian Birch charts the past and plots the present with The Human League. ...
Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, October 1981
FRIDAY afternoon. The Smash Hits works outing pay a visit to the movies. They munch popcorn, they suck their sweet orange drinks and watch a ...
Duran Duran: In New York New York With Duran Duran
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, October 1981
So good they named 'em twice. Postcard from Mike Stand. ...
Soft Cell: Bedsitting with Soft Cell
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, November 1981
‘BEDSITTER’? I’M not knocking it, but the table in Marc Almond’s Leeds bed-sitting room probably said more on the subject than the complete lyric of ...
Profile and Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, November 1981
From the underground...To the charts? We want hits, say the former cult heroes. Quite right, says Ian Birch. ...
Modern Romance: So This Is Romance?
Profile and Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, November 1981
Modern Romance start up a conga. Ian Birch mooseys on down to take a look. ...
Altered Images: Corn Exchange, Cambridge
Live Review by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, November 1981
THE ELEMENTS were conspiring against Altered Images from the moment they took the stage of Cambridge's cavernous Corn Exchange. The sound went immediately out of ...
Tenpole Tudor: Let's Get Serious
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, November 1981
MIKE STAND DISCOVERS THE OTHER SIDE OF EDDIE TENPOLE ...
Human League, The: The Human League: Human Nature
Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, December 1981
"YOU'D BETTER watch out," Philip Oakey warns in a voice to make even the hardiest soul tremble at the knees. "We've decided we like that ...
Robert Palmer: Rhythm 'N Clues
Profile and Interview by Mary Harron, Smash Hits, December 1981
One across (Mary Harron) asks the questions. Six down (Robert Palmer) gives the answers ...
Scritti Politti: It's The Scritti Political Broadcast
Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, June 1982
Quiet please! The next feature will be on all three channels. Johnny Black gets a taste of modern soul music. ...
Culture Club, Musical Youth: Heaven, London
Live Review by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, July 1982
THERE'S A nightclub in London called Heaven which is normally ruthlessly well run, organised for fun and good value. Tonight it's catering for a "rock" ...
Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, August 1982
BIT OF AN abrasive character, this Mark Hollis from Talk Talk. Halfway through our chat, I innocently mention that they're often compared to Duran Duran, ...
Duran Duran: On A Wing And A Prayer
Report and Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, August 1982
Duran Duran stop over in California and find they have to get out and push. Words: Ian Birch. ...
Simple Minds: Jim Kerr's Glittering Dream
Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, September 1982
JIM KERR and I have just started talking over a cup of tea in London's Hyde Park, when a girl comes rushing up. ...
Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, December 1982
Alf and Vince probably "wouldn't be friends if we weren't working together". They often don't meet up 'til just before going on stage. Dave Rimmer ...
Dexy's Midnight Runners: Dexys Midnight Runners: Straight Talking
Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, December 1982
"Dexys is my work, my life", claims Kevin Rowland. Much more than that he's not saying. Dave Rimmer waits with bated breath. ...
Culture Club: The Boy In New York City
Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, December 1982
Culture Club take on America and George discovers 46 flavours of shaving foam. Words: Dave Rimmer. ...
Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, December 1982
Lest you harbour any doubts as to why Tears For Fears have taken over five months to record their first album, the answer is simple. ...
Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 1983
AS HE FREELY admits, Jonathan King was born "in the late '40s, before most of your readers' parents". ...
Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 1983
I'VE ALWAYS had this picture of New Order — four sombre, sensitive types permanently locked in a darkened studio arguing about the merits of their ...
Malcolm McLaren: The New Adventures of Malcolm McLaren
Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, January 1983
A MAN IN HIS thirties with a shrill voice and a big, daft hat is telling me how pop music can regain its lost purpose. ...
Report and Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, January 1983
"I ACTUALLY ENJOY Top Of The Pops very much but it lacks the excitement of a live programme. You can't cheat the kids. You've got ...
Wah!, Pete Wylie: The Story of the Wylie
Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, January 1983
THE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON run-through for Top Of The Pops is a chaotic affair. In front of one of the three stages in the studio, a ...
Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, February 1983
IT WAS A trifle chilly, apparently, when the Bunnymen did the woodland photo session for their first album, Crocodiles. It was even colder on the ...
Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, February 1983
FIRST WE WENT on the Ferry across the Mersey. Then we walked through Liverpool for some tea. Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon of China Crisis ...
Yarbrough & Peoples, Gap Band, The: The Gap Band/Yarbrough and Peoples: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Live Review by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, February 1983
Intrepid fans shuffle past a regiment of niggly security men and into the Hammersmith Odeon. On stage a whole troupe of compères bounce on and ...
Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, March 1983
Most electronic duos seem to have hits instantly. Not so Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox. Dave Rimmer finds out why it's taken them so long. ...
Haircut 100, Nick Heyward: Back To Square One: Nick Heyward
Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, March 1983
"IS IT REALLY worth talking about?" Ask Nick Heyward what he's been up to in the six months since the release of ‘Nobody's Fool’, the ...
Guide by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, April 1983
IN 1979 A record called 'Rapper's Delight' by the Sugarhill Gang introduced us to rapping. Similar stuff soon followed — Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash and ...
Creatures, The: The Creatures: Bamboo Music
Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, April 1983
Deep in the jungle, something stirs. Strange drums beating, the cries of wild animals, a ghostly chanting sound...This, says lan Birch, can only mean one ...
Alarm, The: For Whom The Bell Tolls: The Alarm
Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, May 1983
"WE WANT TO spread the vibe of friendship." No sniggering at the back, please. Mike peters of The Alarm really means that. And what’s more ...
Kajagoogoo: The Sound Of The Crowd: The Kajagoogoo Tour
Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, May 1983
Shrieks, squeals, gasps, wails...It gets even louder when the band actually come on stage. The Kajagoogoo tour is not an experience easily forgotten. Neil Tennant ...
Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, May 1983
IT'S THE UNEARTHLY hour of 8.0 in the morning in some place called Astwick. Your reporter and the two members of Blancmange (both a trifle ...
Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, June 1983
I ARRIVE, two hours late, outside a church in North London. I push open the huge wooden door and find myself being smiled at by ...
Shakin' Stevens: The Secret Life Of Shaky
Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, July 1983
He never gives interviews and keeps well out of the public eye. In fact, the 'real' Shakin' Stevens is a bit of a mystery. Ian ...
Duran Duran: That Was The Week That Was
Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, August 1983
The week when Duran Duran got mobbed, met the Royals and hit the headlines every time they moved. Neil Tennant was never far behind them. ...
Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, August 1983
A year ago Wham! made records and simply had fun. Now they've got managers, gossip columns and solo careers to worry about. Ian Birch hears ...
Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, September 1983
Why was Glenn Gregory smashing windows? What's this about platform boots with five-inch heels? Who or what are The Underpants? Johnny Black gets to the ...
Police, The: The Police: May The Force Be With You
Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, September 1983
When The Police played New York's Shea Stadium it looked like something from outer space. 67,000 people were in the audience. One of them was ...
Report by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, September 1983
A long, hot, emotional day it was too. Dublin's Phoenix Park throws open its gates to U2, Simple Minds, Eurythmics, Big Country and about 20,000 ...
Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, October 1983
Q: WHAT DO The Cure, The Banshees, The Royal Ballet and Crawley all have in common? ...
Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, November 1983
Success, say the Thompson Twins, brings out the worst in you. And yet they still want more of it. Johnny Black brings you another chapter ...
Duran Duran: Life In The Land Down Under
Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, November 1983
Duran Duran have just got back from three months in Australia. Before they left, Dave Rimmer flew out to join them. ...
Culture Club, Boy George: Culture Club and George
Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, December 1983
A TYPICAL SUNDAY afternoon in New York's Central Park. Horse drawn carriages sweep by full of tourists. Armies of joggers with headphones stream down every ...
Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 1984
JUST BACK from a photo session at the Museum Of Mankind, Big Country burst through the swing doors into Phonogram's cramped press office and mayhem ...
Thomas Dolby: The Appliance of Science
Profile and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, February 1984
AT THE TENDER age of 25, Thomas Dolby has already established himself as an ingenious and inventive songwriter, performer, producer, synthesizer wizard and video director. ...
Smiths, The: The Smiths: Hits And Myths
Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, February 1984
From "severe starvation" to chart success without ever once ironing a shirt. Yes friends, says Dave Rimmer, it can be done! ...
Style Council, The: The Style Council: Two's Company
Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, March 1984
But three's just that little bit cosier. Neil Tennant has a tête-à-tête-à-tête with The Style Council. ...
Culture Club: Cutlure Club: The Jon Moss Story
Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, March 1984
Pig William, Phone Bone Boulevard, Pastrami Barmy, Eskimo Norbert, The Clash, London, The Damned, The Edge, Jane Aire & The Belvederes, The Nips, Adam And ...
Michael Jackson: The Biggest Selling Solo Artist Of All Time
Report by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, March 1984
Quiet out there. Michael Jackson's record company is throwing a party and Ian Birch has got an invite. A few famous folk, dancers in top ...
Bananarama: We All Broke Down And Cried
Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, March 1984
The last eight months have been a "nightmare" for Bananarama. Ian Birch finds out what went wrong. ...
Depeche Mode: Are These Men Really Miserable?
Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, March 1984
Believe it or not, they aren't. Depeche Mode still haven't quite made the Big League but they don't seem to mind much. They're huge in ...
Nik Kershaw: I Never Wanted To Be A Muscleman
Report and Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, March 1984
Nik Kershaw wears black underpants, plays chess and suspects some people think he's a wimp. It's amazing what pop stars tell Johnny Black. ...
Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Frankie Goes To Hollywood: The War Game
Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, April 1984
They've become the most notorious British group since the Sex Pistols. Now they're dressing up in army uniforms to promote their new single – "a ...
New Order: We've Got This Far And We Can't Even Play!
Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, May 1984
So says New Order's Bernard Sumner. Dave Rimmer isn't saying anything. ...
George Michael, Wham!: Wham!: The Beach Boys
Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, May 1984
A sun-soaked story of sea, sand, shorts, shuttlecocks and snogging. Yes, Wham! are back. Your travel guide in Miami: Neil Tennant. ...
Gloria Gaynor, Evelyn Thomas, Weather Girls, The: High Energy
Report by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, June 1984
It's a new type of dance beat. Hazell Dean's 'Searchin'' is High Energy; so are The Weather Girls, Gloria Gaynor and Evelyn Thomas. The charts ...
Bronski Beat: Runaway Boys: Bronski Beat
Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, June 1984
Bronski Beat are young, talented and they've only played a handful of concerts. And suddenly everyone's asking them questions. Questions about their "stance" as a ...
Culture Club In The Land Of The Rising Sun
Report by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, July 1984
Culture Club in Japan are very big news INDEED. They're the most popular British pop group. They fill massive stadiums. There are Girl Georges everywhere. ...
Nik Kershaw: Fame! Riches! Fast Cars! Lots Of Free Meals And Fizzy Drinks!
Report and Interview by Phil Sutcliffe, Smash Hits, September 1984
ABOUT A YEAR ago it was Nik and Sheri Kershaw's wedding day. Registry office, parents and friends, reception at their small house in Essex, cut ...
Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, September 1984
But they used to be. Wham! now think that their whole ''Bad Boys" look is "pathetic" and they "can't believe how many people bought that ...
Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Frankie Goes To Hollywood: The Wild Boys
Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, October 1984
Pedro, Nasher and Mark are not quiet types. "Getting absolutely bladdered and smashing the place up" is a little more their line. That and slagging ...
Depeche Mode: Strange But True
Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, November 1984
WHEN DEPECHE MODE were in Berlin a few months ago, they got a bit drunk while doing an interview and let a photographer take some ...
Prince: Detroit My Name Is Prince And I've Come To Play With You
Report by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, November 1984
Smoke bombs explode, fabulously exciting multi-coloured confetti rains from the rafters, The Revolution are playing 'Let's Go Crazy' and Prince is twirling round and round. ...
Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 1985
MADNESS ARE PLANNING A TV SERIES. THEY'RE STARTING A RECORD LABEL. THEY EVEN WEAR HAND-MADE SOCKS THESE DAYS. IT'S CALLED "BROADENING ONE'S OUTLOOK". WELL, THAT'S ...
Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, January 1985
"The Portly Pilot Of Pop", they called him. "The Clown Prince Of Glam", they called him. "A Frightmare In Lurex", "Marlene Dietrich Gone Wrong", "A ...
Janice Long: The Janice Long Story
Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, January 1985
How do you get a job as a Radio 1 DJ? Simple – you go to a "really posh" school, then become an insurance clerk, ...
Spandau Ballet: Shout To The Top
Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, January 1985
When they started out, at the dawn of the '80s, Spandau Ballet were determined "to do something different". They said they'd never end up like ...
Smiths, The: Morrissey interviewed
Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, January 1985
"MEAT IS MURDER!" That's the message from Morrissey. A message he's "madly serious" about. He's so serious, in fact, that The Smiths are just about ...
Mick Jagger: If You Don't Know Who This Bloke Is, Ask Your Parents…
Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, February 1985
They'll tell you. "He's MICK JAGGER," they'll say, trembling visibly. "Singer with the Rolling Stones. He's 41 and he's had 8 Number Ones, 22 Top ...
Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, February 1985
Alison Moyet is a singer, mum-to-be, owner of a house in the country and a collector of dodgy videos. But there's something more to her ...
Pet Shop Boys: Neil Tennant At The British Record Industry Awards
Report by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, February 1985
You saw Prince. You heard Frankie. You felt the warmth of Wham's sun tans. You watched the TV show but now read THE FULL STORY! ...
Marilyn: Does Anyone Still Want Him?
Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, March 1985
"I COULD DROP DOWN DEAD TOMORROW AND I COULD COUNT THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD CARE ON ONE HAND." MARILYN IS TRYING TO MAKE "A COMEBACK". ...
Nik Kershaw, Paul Young: Paul Young & Nik Kershaw: "We Haven't Actually Kissed Yet..."
Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, September 1985
They'd never met before. But then they set off to "conquer" America — Nick's the support act on Paul's US tour — and now they're ...
Pet Shop Boys: The Pet Shop Boys: An ex-Smash Hits Writer and the Grandson of a Nitwit
Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, December 1985
Doesn't sound like the ideal line-up for a successful pop duo, does it? But now that 'West End Girls' is whizzing up the charts that's ...
Report by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, February 1986
While you were watching the awards ceremony on TV the other week, a select few music biz "nobs" were there in person at a big ...
Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, July 1986
BUCKS FIZZ have survived a coach crash, the Jay Aston "scandal" and Shelley's chaotic audition. And they're still having top ten hits and rattling on ...
The Margaret Thatcher Interview!!?
Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, March 1987
Come with us, why don't you, inside the hallowed portals of Number 10 Downing Street where the so-called "Iron Lady" awaits your "pleasure"... ...
Belinda Carlisle, Go-Go's, The: Belinda Carlisle!
Interview by Caroline Sullivan, Smash Hits, January 1991
• She used to live in the untidiest house in Hollywood!• She plays music to her plants!• She's had about half an hour's holiday to ...
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