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Alan Smith

Alan Smith
1970s NME editor Alan Smith, along with his assistant editor Nick Logan, was given the challenge of turning around the fortunes of the music weekly and to overtake the market leader of the time, Melody Maker. Under Smith's editorship, writers of the underground press, such as Charles Shaar Murray and Nick Kent, were recruited in order to change the writing style of the paper. As Smith's time as editor came to an end, NME was outselling all of its competitors.

240 articles

List of articles in the library

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Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kitt: Alan Smith Welcomes — Ella and Eartha

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 February 1962

WELCOME BACK, Ella! Yes, the world's "First Lady of Jazz," Ella Fitzgerald, will also be in this country at the weekend, commencing her tour with ...

Shirley Bassey: Can Shirley Bassey Make It Three Show Hits In A Row?

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 February 1962

NO DOUBT about it, show tunes seem to have hit written all over them for Shirley Bassey! Her latest is 'Tonight', now in its second ...

George Martin: The A&R Manager Behind The Comedy Successes Forecasts...

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 March 1962

...Cribbins, Drake, Sellers, Milligan, Bentine Have Bright Disc Futures ...

Pat Boone: Why I Became A Beatnik

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 March 1962

PAT BOONE fans who saw last week's NME pictures of him at the Royal Film show won't see him looking so clean-cut in his latest ...

Doris Day: Doris Looks Younger Every Day

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 March 1962

REMEMBER THOSE not so far off days when the charts were aglow with Doris Day numbers like 'Sentimental Journey', 'Que Sera' and 'Secret Love'? They ...

The Four Freshmen, Matt Monro, Jeri Southern, Danny Williams: The Four Freshmen, Jeri Southern, Matt Monro: Gaumont State, Kilburn, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 March 1962

PLENTY OF TALENT IN THIS SHOW ...

Nina & Frederik: Gaumont, Watford

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 April 1962

New programme from Nina and Frederik ...

Cliff Richard, Helen Shapiro, The Shadows: First It Was Mrs. Kenny Ball, Now Norrie Paramor's Wife Picks A Hit For Her Hubby

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 April 1962

PUZZLING, isn't it, that no one has thought of an award for the wives of hit parade stars — to be presented when they inspire ...

Ketty Lester: New to the Charts: Ketty Lester Sang 'As Herself' To Notch Hit

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 April 1962

A SUDDEN decision to sing "in my own style" has brought instant success for chart newcomer Ketty Lester, whose 'Love Letters' stands at No. 27. ...

Johnny Burnette, Adam Faith, The Ted Heath Band, Brenda Lee, John Leyton, Bob Miller & the Millermen, Cliff Richard, The Springfields, Bert Weedon, Danny Williams: Cliff Richard, Adam Faith, Brenda Lee, John Leyton: NME Poll Winners Concert, Empire Pool, Wembley, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 April 1962

At the NME's sensational Poll Winners' concert — CLIFF, SHADOWS, HELEN, BILLY, ADAM GIVE THRILL OF LIFETIME ...

Rick Nelson: Ricky Nelson: Now Ricky's Name Change Is Official!

Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 April 1962

'YOUNG WORLD' is probably the last disc by Ricky Nelson you'll see in the NME Charts – but don't panic. At 21 Ricky has no ...

Cliff Richard, Eden Kane, The Shadows: Cliff Richard, The Shadows, Eden Kane: Our Friends The Stars Charity Concert, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 11 May 1962

NEW SHADOW MAKES LONDON DEBUT ...

Winifred Atwell: Win Gets In Trim For Hit!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 May 1962

WINIFRED ATWELL is determined to bounce right back into the hit parade with her first disc for Pye, 'Game Of Chance'. ...

Anthony Newley: I'm Worried About My Discs: I Still Need Hits admits Tony Newley

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 July 1962

ANTHONY NEWLEY smoothed out a crease in the trousers of his tuxedo suit, sipped from a large mug of Shepperton film studio tea and looked ...

John Leyton Phones Alan Smith From Munich To Say: Filming In Germany Is Dangerous

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 July 1962

(But It Could Make Me A Star In America) ...

Frank Ifield, Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Helen Shapiro, Norman Wisdom: Ed Sullivan Says Cliff Right To Avoid Oxford Accent

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 August 1962

THE NEWS that Cliff Richard is being sought for American TV's world-famous Ed Sullivan Show this autumn couldn't be more appropriate than it is right ...

Connie Francis: Connie Will Rock For Britain!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 August 1962

THERE'LL BE no more weepie-weepie songs from Connie Francis once her current hit 'Vacation' leaves the charts... for Connie is to record special future releases ...

Frank Ifield: It Was All The Better For That Ifield Smile!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 August 1962

Recording manager NORRIE PARAMOR reveals a secret behind the No. 1 hit ...

Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk: Acker Bilk; Kenny Ball: Alan Smith Goes Sailing With Two Of Britain's Top Disc Stars

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 August 1962

Acker's Happy With His Vocal Success ...

Ray Charles: Mother Taught Ray Charles To Cope With Blindness

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 31 August 1962

THOUGH HE has been blind since the age of six, one of Ray Charles' biggest hates is to be treated as a blind person. It ...

Anthony Newley: On the eve of his great U.S. adventure — Tony Newley says 'I Don't Want To Stay Too Long'

Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 14 September 1962

ANTHONY NEWLEY had every reason to look a little worried as he boarded a Philadelphia-bound airliner at London Airport on Sunday morning. And no wonder. ...

Bobby Vinton Replies To Ronnie Carroll

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 21 September 1962

...and reveals a secret to ALAN SMITH ...

Lonnie Donegan: Lonnie takes 'Dustman' to U.S.

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 September 1962

I MANAGED to catch Lonnie Donegan — but only just! — before he left this country for his third visit to America on Sunday. ...

The Springfields Think U.S. 'Stunning'

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 September 1962

SAID TOM Springfield (of the Springfields): "You've no idea how stunned we were when 'Silver Threads And Golden Needles' got into the U.S. Hot 100. ...

Nat King Cole, George Shearing: George Shearing is very happy about Nat Cole's hit

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 5 October 1962

WHEN 'Ramblin' Rose' leapt high into the NME Charts last week, nobody was happier than George Shearing, in London for the start of his tour. ...

Elvis Presley: Dates With Elvis

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 October 1962

Presley's Follow That Dream co-star ANNE HELM talks to Alan Smith ...

Joe Brown Joins Elite!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 October 1962

He talks to Alan Smith about having two albums in the charts ...

Pat Boone: Royal Welcome Awaits Boone

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 October 1962

ONE top American star you can't accuse of neglecting his British fans is Pat Boone, who'll be flying into London next week for his third ...

B. Bumble & The Stingers: Cavern Club, Liverpool

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 October 1962

Thumper Bumble ...

The Beatles: Newcomers To The Charts: Liverpool's Beatles Wrote Their Own Hit

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 October 1962

MAKING THEIR NME Chart debut with 'Love Me Do' this week are the Beatles, a vocal-instrumental group who hail from Liverpool, the birthplace of such ...

Adam Faith: Alan Smith Learns About Adam Faith's Far East Joy And Agony

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 November 1962

TIRED BUT tanned, Adam Faith flew into Britain on Sunday after his first tour of Australia and New Zealand — and then went straight back ...

The Everly Brothers, Phil Everly: Phil Everly says Thanks

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 November 1962

PALE AND drawn after his four week tour of Britain without brother Don, Phil Everly slumped into a deep armchair in his dressing room at ...

Frank Ifield: With Yodelling Becoming Ever More Popular — Frank Ifield Gives Some Tips On How To Do It

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 November 1962

WE WERE sitting in Frank Ifield's dressing room at Liverpool Empire on Sunday — the last night of his triumphant tour with the Phil Everly ...

Patsy Cline Overcame Grave Car Crash Injuries

Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 7 December 1962

PERSONAL tragedy is nothing to Patsy Cline, who sings of 'Heartaches' on her first big hit disc in Britain. Her fast-rising career was interrupted last ...

Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline: Grand Ole Opry Show: Carnegie Hall, New York NY

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 December 1962

C-and-W invades the New York concert world ...

The Crystals, Phil Spector: The Crystals: New to the Charts — Six Girls With Two Names!

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 December 1962

SO VAST is the American disc scene that quite often an artist or group can get high into the charts without anybody here knowing much ...

The Beatles: At a Recording Session with the Beatles

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, Mersey Beat, 3 January 1963

THE SECONDS tick away, high in the control room at EMI's recording studios in St. John's Wood, London. Through the glass panel I could see ...

The Limeliters: Alan Smith invites you to meet The Limeliters

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 January 1963

INTO THE Limelight this week come... the Limeliters. This lively American folk trio arrive today (Friday) for their first-ever visit to Britain. ...

Brian Hyland: Welcome Brian Hyland

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 January 1963

THE BLOND, blue-eyed singer who emerged as Bobby Vee's biggest rival in 1962, Brian Hyland will come slap-bang into a controversy when he arrives for ...

Little Eva: Alan Smith Says 'Welcome, Little Eva'

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 February 1963

THE GIRL who put a new twist into the twist – Little Eva – arrives in London today (Friday) for her first tour of Britain. ...

The Bachelors: Astor Club, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 February 1963

Debut At Astor ...

The Beatles: You've Pleased-Pleased Us Say The Beatles

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 February 1963

THINGS ARE beginning to move for the Beatles, the r-and-b styled British group which crashed back into the NME Chart this week at No. 17. ...

Tommy Steele, The Tornados: Alan Smith On Film Sets With The Tornados and Tommy Steele

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 February 1963

A HAUNTING theme-tune echoed across the stage of a dingy London theatre on Tuesday morning, as film cameras turned on that "Globetrotting" hit group, the ...

Mike Berry Takes Things Smoothly

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 February 1963

ALAN SMITH talks to a new Top Ten singer ...

Judy Garland: Judy Cried At Herself

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 March 1963

"BRITAIN IS A home from home to me," said Judy Garland recently. "I remember my career was at a low ebb back in 1950 and ...

The Beatles: Beatles Almost Threw 'Please Please Me' Away

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 March 1963

THE BEATLES opened a copy of the NME and gazed proudly at the Charts when 'Please Please Me' hit the top recently. It was a ...

The Bachelors: The Bachelor Boys Are Happy!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 March 1963

THE HAPPY Bachelors, celebrate their ninth week in the NME Chart today (Friday), standing at lucky No. 13 with their hit disc 'Charmaine'. ...

Gerry & The Pacemakers: New to the Charts: Gerry, Pacemakers from Beatle-land!

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 March 1963

CRASHING into the NME Chart this week comes another beat name from Beatle-land, Liverpool's Gerry and the Pacemakers. Gerry is featured vocalist on 'How Do ...

Gerry & The Pacemakers: Gerry And The Pacemakers Reveal Their Success Secret: 'We Let Go!'

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 5 April 1963

"UND JETZT," said Gerry (of the Pacemakers), "ein wünsche für..." The rest of his announcement was drowned by a burst of good-natured jeering from the ...

Hank Locklin on Newcomers' TV Show!

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 April 1963

ONE OF America's biggest country-and-western stars, Hank Locklin, is arriving in London today (Friday) for his first visit to this country. Regrettably, most of his ...

The Beatles: Throat Sweets Keep Us Going Say Beatles!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 April 1963

A NEVER-ENDING supply of throat sweets is one of the secrets behind the continued success of the Beatles, who come crashing into the NME Chart ...

Skeeter Davis: Alan Smith Conducts a Transatlantic Question-Time with Skeeter Davis

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 April 1963

A MODEST, charming person who's far from being as sad as she sounds on her first British hit, 'The End Of The World'! — that's ...

The Beatles, Mike Berry, The Brook Brothers, Joe Brown, Cliff Richard, The Shadows, The Tornados: Cliff Richard, The Beatles, The Tornados, Joe Brown et al: NME Poll Winners Concert, Empire Pool, Wembley, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 April 1963

MIKE BERRY burst into the second half to the throbbing beat of 'La Bamba'. Close on its heels came his current release 'My Little Baby' ...

The Beatles, Billy J. Kramer: Billy J. Kramer Adds To Liverpool Chart Invasion!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 May 1963

FIRST THE BEATLES, then Gerry and the Pacemakers. Now a new Liverpool name, Billy J. Kramer, looks set to take the NME Chart by storm ...

Andy Williams Explains Why He Didn't Do A Palladium TV

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 May 1963

ANDY WILLIAMS settled back into a deep armchair at London's Dorchester Hotel. "I couldn't appear on Sunday Night At The Palladium," he said, "because of ...

Eddie Cochran: Fans Prove Label Wrong About Cochran

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 May 1963

EDDIE COCHRAN'S chart entry 'My Way' is only one of several previously unissued discs the U.S. star left behind after his death in April, 1960. ...

The Beatles: From You To Us Inspired 'From Me To You'

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 May 1963

according to THE BEATLES who told Alan Smith ...

Billy J. Kramer: Singing Was Forced On To Me!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 May 1963

BILLY J. KRAMER sat back in his manager's London office and looked thoughtful as the bubbles settled on top of his cup of hot tea. ...

Lesley Gore: Parties Are Lucky For Lesley

Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 14 June 1963

MAKING HER chart bow this week with 'It's My Party', attractive Lesley Gore actually owes her disc success to the occasion she sang a song ...

Kenny Ball, Heinz: Kenny Ball and Heinz on the Film Set

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 21 June 1963

ONE HOUR'S worth of story, 20 minutes of music (including Kenny Ball's new hit 'Rondo') is the way they've planned Britain's latest pop film, Live ...

The Everly Brothers: Phil And Don Everly Put Up A Fight

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 21 June 1963

NOBODY could say the fortunes of the Everly Brothers have been at their highest just lately, but the boys are determined to put up a ...

Connie Francis Returns to Sing for our Queen

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 June 1963

CONNIE FRANCIS must hold some kind of record for the number of times she's visited Britain in the past few years! She'll be adding another ...

Lesley Gore: The Singing Rebel

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 June 1963

IT'S THE BEATLES' favourite disc of the moment and it's sung by a 17-year-old American girl who had a genteel upbringing in the sedate neighbourhood ...

Gerry & The Pacemakers: Just Say 'Didn'I' To Get The Pacemakers Laughing

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 5 July 1963

GERRY AND the Pacemakers staggered into their dressing-room, glistening with perspiration as each fell into a chair and sipped an ice-cold drink. "Like it?" grinned ...

The Tremeloes: New to the Charts: Brian Poole & Tremeloes

Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 5 July 1963

IT'S FIFTH time lucky for Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, who make their chart bow this week with 'Twist And Shout'. ...

The Searchers: Searchers Paid £40 To Make LP

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 July 1963

THE SEARCHERS might not be in the NME Top Ten this week – making an amazing jump from No. 24 to No. 5! – if ...

Bobby Rydell: Experiment Worked After Two Years Says Bobby Rydell

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 July 1963

BOBBY RYDELL is head over heels at the success of his British-made disc 'Forget Him' — his first record to hit the NME Chart since 'Sway' almost ...

The Beatles, The Isley Brothers, The Tremeloes: The 'Twist And Shout' Battle Hots Up! (And How The NME Helped)

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 July 1963

THERE'S A long and fascinating story behind the big come-back success of 'Twist And Shout' (now with three versions in the best-sellers) — and it's ...

The Beatles, Paul McCartney: Close-Up on Paul McCartney, a Beatle

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 August 1963

I WENT roof-climbing with the Beatles – up a rickety wooden ladder, over drainpipes, and past the huge chimney-pots of London's plush Washington Hotel. The ...

The Beatles: What We Bought At Harrods

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 December 1964

CHRISTMAS COMES but once a year... and when it comes it brings special problems for the Beatles. Those four famous faces can't just nip into ...

The Animals, The Bachelors, The Beatles, Cilla Black, Donovan, Dusty Springfield, Freddie & The Dreamers, Georgie Fame, Herman's Hermits, The Ivy League, The Kinks, The Moody Blues, The Rockin' Berries, The Rolling Stones, The Searchers, Sounds Incorporated, Them, Tom Jones, Twinkle, Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones et al: NME Poll Winners' Concert, Empire Pool, Wembley, London

Live Review by Keith Altham, Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 April 1965

IT WAS THE GREATEST POP SHOW ON EARTH ...

Françoise Hardy: Françoise Sweeps In

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 June 1965

FRANCOISE HARDY swept into London's Savoy Hotel in a red jacket, boots and bell-bottom trousers. It had been quite a day for the French star ...

Elvis Presley: More Old Songs: Tickle Me

Film/DVD/TV Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 June 1965

Tickle Me isn't the GREATEST film Elvis has ever made, but it isn't the worst, either. ...

The Who Use Force To Get The Sound They Want!!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 June 1965

HE SAT TENSED against a hard-backed chair, dressed in a Carnaby Street blue jacket and with a blond, Mod hairstyle that showed dark at the ...

Donovan Gambles On Anti-war Song About Vietnam

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 2 July 1965

DONOVAN doesn't wear his faded denim cap any more. But this isn't the only change in the life of the young curly-headed folk singer whose ...

The Everly Brothers, The Rolling Stones: When Everlys joined Stones

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 2 July 1965

I SUPPOSE you could have called the act the Rolling Everlys — or the Stones Brother! But whatever the name, there's no mistaking the terrific ...

Joan Baez — Big Surprise

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 July 1965

HOW MANY people thought that Joan Baez would be seen back in the NME Chart again, once 'We Shall Overcome' had faded into the distance? Not many, ...

Dusty Springfield: Tired Dusty Raves Over Next Single

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 July 1965

IT WAS 2.30 in the afternoon and Dusty Springfield was still sound asleep when I rang her at her London home. There was a slight ...

The Yardbirds: Yardbirds Lash Out

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 30 July 1965

THE YARDBIRDS are bristling with hurt anger this week — at Thank Your Lucky Stars Summer Spin; at their manager, and at a pop promoter who ...

Tom Jones: From Tom Jones In New York: New release is STUPID!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 August 1965

JONES THE Pop sounded dull and unhappy when I rang him at the Gorham Hotel in New York this week. He thinks it's "damn stupid" ...

Georgie Fame : Will I be Flop of the Year?

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 August 1965

THE BLUE Flames had gone home, and Georgie Fame stood in the middle of a recording studio, reaching up to the mike and belting out ...

The Beatles: John Lennon Slams The Critics

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 August 1965

JOHN LENNON shouted for food, then turned to me in the vast, near-deserted auditorium of Blackpool's ABC theatre. In two hours he and the rest ...

Joan Baez, Donovan: It's School-Marm Joan Baez Now!

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 August 1965

JOAN BAEZ has turned school-marm. In a Californian town she has started an unusual "School For Non-Violence", where children turn up to sit in silence. ...

The McCoys: New to the Charts: The McCoys on New Label

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 August 1965

IT'S IMMEDIATE success for the Andrew Oldham-Tony Calder "Immediate" disc label — and a first NME Chart entry for the American group the McCoys! The label's debut ...

Brenda Lee: Brenda Really Means Those Sad Love Songs

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 September 1965

MARRIAGE CAN be a dodgy business when you're a pop star — as I found when a sad-voiced Brenda Lee phoned me from Nashville, Tennessee. ...

Horst Jankowski: Janie Marden Talks About Her Friend Horst Jankowski

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 September 1965

LOOK AT his picture and if you didn't know he was in the charts right now you might visualise Horst Jankowski as a bank clerk ...

The Dave Clark Five: Question time with DAVE CLARK

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 September 1965

Conducted by ALAN SMITH ...

Billy Fury: Billy's New Outlook

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 September 1965

HE WORE a small-brimmed leather trilby and a dark grey jacket, and in the palm of his hand he flicked a king-sized cigarette lighter. Like ...

The Beatles, Ken Dodd: Ken Dodd Champions The Beat Groups

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 September 1965

"YES!" CACKLED Ken Dodd as he stood there in his dressing room at the London Palladium, wearing big boots, baggy trousers, a yellow daisy and ...

The McCoys: McCoys Are America's Wildest Group

Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 September 1965

...says ALAN SMITH ...

Billy Fury: Long Wait For Billy's Next Disc

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 September 1965

IT WILL BE only a week or so to Christmas before Billy Fury records the follow-up to his current hit, 'Run To My Lovin' Arms' ...

Dusty Springfield: Dusty: New Sound, New Look

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 September 1965

LOOK CLOSELY at this picture of Dusty Springfield. To me it is one of the liveliest and brightest shots of her I have ever seen. ...

Ken Dodd, Donovan, Bob Dylan, Hedgehoppers Anonymous, The Hollies, Barry McGuire, Peter, Paul & Mary, Dusty Springfield: Protest Songs: How sick will they get? asks Alan Smith

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 September 1965

SING A SONG of protest — and you, too, could find yourself there in the charts. Suddenly a whole flood of these let's-put-the-world-right numbers has ...

The Rolling Stones: Rolling Stones Tour: WILD! that's the scene for the next four weeks, says MICK JAGGER

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 September 1965

IN THE SPACE of four weeks 100,000 people will sit, and stand, and scream. More than 90,000 ice-creams and hysteria-cooling drinks will be sold. Hot, ...

Dusty Springfield: Sunday Paper Scared off Dusty's Man

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 15 October 1965

THE DELECTABLE Miss Dusty Springfield was in candid mood when I spoke to her this week — about wigs, her nose . . . and ...

The Yardbirds: Our Emotional Experiences in Sound! — by the Yardbirds

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 October 1965

IT COULD be the flop of the year — or it could be the biggest thing in package shows since the invention of the electric ...

The Who: Smashing Time Costs WHO Fortune!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 November 1965

ANYONE WHO has ever seen a demolition gang smashing down a building will know what it's like when the Who get up steam. Their music ...

The Toys: 'Toy June Is So Cute You'll Bite Her' says Toys' Manager!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 November 1965

LONDON-NEW YORK INTERVIEW by ALAN SMITH ...

Cliff Richard: Cliff Never Has To Worry About Material For His Next Single Or LP — He's Got Plenty In The Can

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 December 1965

"CHUTCHY-FACE." That would have been comedian Bernie Winters' name for Cliff Richard only a few months ago, when Cliff was a chubby-cheeked character who could ...

Tony Bennett Has Yo-Yo Hit

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 December 1965

PROBABLY the oddest chart story of the year lies behind 'I Left My Heart In San Francisco' — the silky, sophisticated Tony Bennett disc which ...

The Beatles: ALAN SMITH goes on tour with THE BEATLES!

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 December 1965

LIKE SOMETHING from the world of James Bond and international intrigue, a sleek Austin Princess with black tinted windows headed out of London in the ...

The Beatles, The Moody Blues: Odeon, Glasgow

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 December 1965

Beatles terrific... and rest of bill ...

George Harrison, The Hollies: Hollies' Graham Nash Blasts back at George

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 December 1965

GEORGE HARRISON is probably the friendliest and most easy-going member of the Beatles. But something he said in the NME last week has brought him ...

The Beatles: London Turns On The Beatlemania

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 December 1965

Another tour special by ALAN SMITH ...

The Beatles: What They Bought At Harrods

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 December 1965

CHRISTMAS comes but once a year... and when it comes it brings special problems for the Beatles. Those four famous faces can't just nip into ...

The Beatles, David & Jonathan, Val Doonican, Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders, Billy Fury, Hedgehoppers Anonymous, The Hollies, Tom Jones, Pinkerton's Assorted Colours, Dusty Springfield: When Your Favourites Go On Holiday, They Usually Have To Work!

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express Summer Special, 1966

WHEREVER YOU are on holiday this year... the chances are you may bump into your favourite pop star! Some of the biggest names in the ...

The Beatles, George Harrison: Wedding Belles: George Pities Paul

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 28 January 1966

"I PITY Paul," said George Harrison, with a wry grin, "'cos now he's the only Beatle left, you lot will hound him all over the ...

The Small Faces: Small Faces: Big Problems!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 February 1966

STEVE MARRIOTT said: "Me muvver and farver kept on at me to get a decent job." ...

Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders, The Mindbenders: Wayne Fontana talks about the triumphant Mindbenders

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 February 1966

THE MINDBENDERS have come a long way since the days when they were backing group to Wayne Fontana — and Wayne, believe it or not, ...

Paul McCartney, Peter and Gordon: Paul McCartney did write 'Woman', but DON'T BLAME US, PLEASE! say PETER and GORDON

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 March 1966

LAST WEEK NME revealed that Bernard Webb, writer of Peter and Gordon's latest hit, 'Woman', was no less than Paul McCartney. The reason for the ...

The Yardbirds: Yardbirds slam "live sound" critics

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 March 1966

NME READER Robin Segulem really lashed out in our "From You To Us" columns last week... and it was the Yardbirds who felt the sting. ...

The Beatles, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, The Fortunes, Herman's Hermits, Roy Orbison, Crispian St. Peters, Alan Price, Cliff Richard, The Rolling Stones, The Seekers, The Shadows, The Small Faces, Sounds Incorporated, Spencer Davis Group, Dusty Springfield, The Walker Brothers, The Who, The Yardbirds: All About The World's Greatest Pop Show: 1966 NME Concert Mightiest Ever!

Live Review by Keith Altham, Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 May 1966

THOUSANDS upon thousands of fans converging on the massive Wembley Empire Pool for the biggest pop show in the world on Sunday... the staggering, the ...

Roy C: NMExclusive: ALAN SMITH has a Transatlantic Interview With ROY C

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 May 1966

'Shotgun' ended dire poverty ...

The Beatles, George Martin: The Beatles: Ringo Played Cards As Others Sang 'Paperback'!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 June 1966

...reveals GEORGE MARTIN, the Beatles' recording manager, in an interview with Alan Smith. ...

The Beatles: My Broken Tooth — by Paul McCartney

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 June 1966

I HAVE interviewed Paul McCartney travelling in a car at speed. Battling up a crowded flight of stairs. In a smoky billiards room. On the ...

Elvis Presley: Paradise Hawaiian Style

Film/DVD/TV Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 July 1966

Presley's usual (Hawaiian) style ...

Elvis Presley: Elvis, Usually Surrounded By Girls, Is Now Encircled By Controversy

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 July 1966

SOME Of Elvis' staunchest British fans want to boil me in oil again. Another suggests I lower myself into a spin-dryer and turn it on. ...

The Beatles: John Lennon: 'A Subconscious Urge To Get Above People'

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 July 1966

Beatle Dreams by Alan Smith ...

The Beatles: Paul McCartney: 'I Get Caught Out In Street In Underwear!'

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 29 July 1966

Beatle Dreams by Alan Smith ...

The Beatles, George Martin: George Martin: Make Them Top Here!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 August 1966

NMExclusive: 'Submarine' recording hilarious recalls A&R manager GEORGE MARTIN to Alan Smith ...

The Four Tops: Four Tops Kept Trying and Won!

Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 August 1966

"IF AT FIRST you don't succeed, try, try again." A tired old saying, but it gets new life this week as the Four Tops climb ...

Junior Walker & the All Stars: Junior Walker Makes Fans Sit Up

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 September 1966

IT DIDN'T mean a thing in Britain ...but a record called 'Shotgun' was the one that blasted Junior Walker and the All-Stars to hit parade ...

Lee Dorsey: Panel-Beating Gave Him Rhythm

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 September 1966

LEE DORSEY is a small, flyweight ex-boxer who always looks as if he doesn't know where his next dime is coming from. ...

Jim Reeves: Jim's First Number One

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 September 1966

From Tennessee Mrs. Mary Reeves says thanks for Jim's first number one ...

The Four Tops: NME Chart News Woke Up The Four Tops In Record Time!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 21 October 1966

THE PHONE rang eleven times in Room 3055 at New York's Hilton Hotel before Lawrence Payton roused himself from his slumbers and dragged it towards ...

Cliff Richard: Empire Theatre, Liverpool

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 4 November 1966

ON HIS LATEST TOUR CLIFF CHANGES DYLAN'S WORDS ...

Jimmy Ruffin: Profile in Words (by Alan Smith) and Picture (by Barry Peake) of JIMMY RUFFIN, Former Rootes Car Worker

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 December 1966

JIMMY RUFFIN is a tall, sad-looking figure, who looks as if he's speaking from experience when he asks: 'What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted?'. He doesn't ...

Paul and Barry Ryan, Dusty Springfield: Dusty Springfield, Paul and Barry Ryan: Merry King Cole, Empire, Liverpool

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 31 December 1966

Dusty wakes 'em ...

Cilla Black: The Girl Behind The Giggle

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express Annual, 1967

SHE'S EITHER LOVED OR HATED ...

Madeline Bell, The Four Tops, The Merseys: The Four Tops, The Merseys, Madeline Bell, Remo Four: Royal Albert Hall, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 4 February 1967

FOUR TOPS HAD US ALL ON OUR FEET reports Alan Smith ...

Kim Weston, Marvin Gaye: Marvin and Kim: Swingin' Twosome!

Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 11 February 1967

SIX FEET high, aged 27, songwriter, athlete, ballad singer and rock 'n' roller — this is Marvin Gaye. Attractive, intelligent, married to a producer and ...

Jim Reeves: Mary Reeves Tells Alan Smith About Jim's Greatest Tribute

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 February 1967

"THE MOST loyal people in the whole world" — those were the warm words with which Mary, widow of the late Jim Reeves, described British ...

Tom Jones: One Hit A Year Will Suit Me says Tom Jones

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 February 1967

"'ANG ON a minute," cried Tom Jones briskly, "telephone call." He and his skintight houndstooth trousers fought a valiant battle for survival as he bounded ...

Petula Clark, Julie Felix, the Fortunes, Helen Shapiro: Palladium, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 11 March 1967

PET SMASH HIT ...

The Hollies: We're As Psychedelic as a Pint o' Beer wi' t' Lads!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 March 1967

I HAVE NEWS for Hollies fans who think the whole group has suddenly become all psychedelic and way out of sight, baby! It hasn't. The ...

The Four Tops, The Temptations: Tamla Keeps Hits Rolling

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 March 1967

Wives taught us to dance — FOUR TOPS ...

Bobby Darin Is A New Man

Interview by Alan Smith, Hit Parader, April 1967

BOBBY DARIN is the singer who set out to become a legend in his own lifetime. He attacked life like a hungry man wolfing down ...

Otis Redding: A Talk With Otis Redding

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 15 April 1967

BIG OTIS REDDING tugged a comb through his wiry hair, wiped a trickling bead of perspiration from his glistening face, and sat edgily on a ...

Eddie Floyd: When's 'Wood' Gonna Lay Down and Die?

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 April 1967

ROLY-POLY Eddie Floyd beamed a big banana-sized grin. "Man," he said, "When am I gonna get a chance to get another record in the charts? ...

The Four Tops: Four Top A Week: Laurence Payton, The Quiet One

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 May 1967

LAURENCE the Top has a homely round face, honest, open eyes, and a liking for big shirts with big collars. He sits with his dark ...

The Four Tops: Four Top A Week: How I Got Out Of The Ghetto by Renaldo Benson

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 May 1967

TOP RENALDO is the most instantly likeable man I ever met. Happiness was made for Renaldo. It sparkles out of his honest eyes. It gleams ...

Helen Shapiro: Hammersmith Odeon, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 May 1967

HELEN SHAPIRO ON BEACH BILL ...

The Beach Boys, Cream, The Dubliners, Georgie Fame, Paul Jones, Lulu, The Move, Alan Price, Cliff Richard, The Small Faces, Spencer Davis Group, Dusty Springfield, Cat Stevens, The Tremeloes, The Troggs, Geno Washington, Steve Winwood: The Beach Boys, Small Faces, Dusty Springfield et al: NME Poll Winners Concert, Empire Pool, Wembley, London

Live Review by Keith Altham, Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 May 1967

POLL SHOW THRILLS ALL THE WAY ...

The Four Tops: Four Top A Week: Easy-Going Abdul Fakir

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 May 1967

TOP ABDUL is the one the others call Duke — why, he doesn't quite know. Maybe it's his air of royal dignity. ...

Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra: Nancy Sinatra: Nancy Sets The Record Straight About Frank

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 May 1967

"I had to drag dad bodily into the studios to record 'Stupid'." ...

The Monkees: Colour Monkees Are Terrific

Film/DVD/TV Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 May 1967

DAVY JONES is sitting in a chair facing the camera. His face has a rich brown tan, and his brown eyes and brown hair stand ...

The Four Tops: Four Top A Week: Levi The Leader

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 May 1967

MUSTACHIOED LEVI Stubbs is the undoubted leader of the Four Tops — the man in front, the quiet man of influence, and a singer with ...

Procol Harum: Procol Crash In At No. 11!

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 May 1967

WATCH OUT for Procol Harum. This British group with that beautiful, beautiful record called 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' is going to be one of ...

Mel Tormé: Talk of the Town, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 June 1967

CRISP, CRACKLING, sharp, superb, swinging, casual, brilliant, completely at ease, masterly, humorous, likeable — I could run out of superlatives for Mel Tormé, who opened ...

Procol Harum: I Knew Procol Would Be A Success

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 July 1967

says KEITH REID the man who created the group – to ALAN SMITH ...

The Monkees: Bob Rafelson: Man Behind The Monkees

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 August 1967

Why I picked THESE four ...

Gladys Knight & The Pips: Glad Loses Pip!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 August 1967

IT WAS ENOUGH to give Gladys Knight the pip, the tough struggle this attractive Tamla singer had in getting a hit in Britain. For a ...

John Lennon: How I Won The War (Dir. Richard Lester, United Artists)

Film/DVD/TV Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 August 1967

HOW DID JOHN LENNON WIN STAR BILLING? asks ALAN SMITH ...

Lee Hazlewood, Elvis Presley, Nancy Sinatra: Nancy Sinatra: Nancy talks on the transatlantic phone to Alan Smith about... Little-Boy Elvis!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 August 1967

"ELVIS," SAID Nancy Sinatra, as she drew back the curtains and looked out at the sun shining down on Los Angeles, "is at once a ...

Frankie Vaughan: I'll Never Change Now Says Frankie

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 30 September 1967

It's top hat and cane for ever ...

The Monkees: It's Monkeeteers Now! — all forone and one for all

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 30 September 1967

Says MONKEE friend, SAMANTHA JUSTE to ALAN SMITH ...

The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes: The Supremes: Psychedelic Tamla!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 November 1967

Brian Holland, one of Motown's famous composing team, speaks to Alan Smith, and tells about PSYCHEDELIC TAMLA! ...

The Supremes: Supremes Live It Up In London

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 January 1968

THE SUPREMES didn't sleep for two days at the weekend, then they flew from the warmth of Cannes to the chill of London, after which ...

The Supremes: Talk of the Town, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 January 1968

A WHO'S WHO of British show business made up most of the audience (note I didn't say sat in the audience; half of 'em were ...

The Supremes: Supremes Heart Chat!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 February 1968

YOU COULD see it: the Supremes were overwhelmed. They sat there in the room and hit back with answers as best they could. Reporters and ...

The Foundations: Alan Smith Finds Foundations An Unusual 'Bunch'

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 February 1968

THE BEATLES had it. So did Gerry "Engelbert Humperdinck" Dorsey, the Four Tops and Tom Jones. I'm talking about faith — an artist's faith in ...

The Scaffold: Queen Elizabeth Hall, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 February 1968

THANK U SCAFFOLD ...

Otis Redding: Otis New Hit His Greatest Tribute

Comment by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 2 March 1968

DURING HIS all-too-brief lifetime, Otis Redding was respected by the world of music — and virtually ignored in his own home town of Macon, Georgia. ...

Esther and Abi Ofarim: Royal Albert Hall, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 April 1968

MEMORABLE NIGHT FROM ESTHER & ABI ...

Arthur Conley, Otis Redding: Conley Cuts Tribute to Otis

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 April 1968

A RECORD tracing the deep bond of friendship and artistic respect between Otis Redding and himself has been waxed by Otis' "Soul Protégé" Arthur Conley. ...

Otis Redding: A Sad Reminder Of The Great Otis: Otis Redding: Dock Of The Bay

Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 11 May 1968

ALMOST EVERY TRACK of Otis Redding's new Dock Of The Bay album is a constant and sad reminder of the sheer soul — there is, ...

The Hollies, Graham Nash: Graham May Split The Hollies

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 May 1968

He talks about this... his ego... the future... his faith in God... and the Hollies, Scaffold, Paul Jones tour ...

Aretha Franklin: Houseproud Aretha Loves To Get Home

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 June 1968

"SIDDOWN," said the Queen of Soul. So I saddown — on a plush settee in a room at the Dorchester — and Lady Aretha excused ...

The Equals: Rehearsal track gives the Equals hit

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 16 June 1968

I HAVE NEWS for groups and singers who consider it's always necessary to do about 50 "takes" before they get their records to the right ...

The Equals: Equals Stunned By No. 3 Hit

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 29 June 1968

EVEN THE Equals can't believe an old half-forgotten track like 'Baby Come Back' could have boosted them from nowhere right up into the big money-earning ...

The Equals: Thwarted Fans Threaten Equals With Bomb!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 27 July 1968

TAKE THREE distinct styles of music — out-and-out Soul, happy-to-be-in-de-sunshine Calypso, and straight commercial Pop — and the chances are you'll find three distinct sets ...

Dusty Springfield: Dusty Feels Like Two People

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 August 1968

ALAN SMITH discovers during a late-night QUESTION TIME ...

Herb Alpert: My 'Guy' Called For No Great Vocal Pipes!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 August 1968

Says Herb Alpert to Alan Smith ...

Roy Orbison: Talk Of The Town, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 August 1968

Orbison needs do no more than sing ...

The Beatles: "Beatles' Loose Habit Of Recording"

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 August 1968

Paul McCartney in a no-punches pulled interview with NME's Alan Smith ...

Aretha Franklin: Alan Smith Discovers That Aretha (26) Feels She's A Lot Older

Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 7 September 1968

...because she's lived such a hard life ...

Canned Heat: Revolution, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 14 September 1968

"IT'S A LOW-down... dirty shame," sang big Bob Hite, lead singer with Canned Heat, when the American blues group in the NME Chart with 'On ...

Canned Heat Have Sunflower, Bear & Tree Man!

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 21 September 1968

THIS IS the story of Canned Heat, a young lady, myself and the Incredible Sliding Bed (in fact, two Incredible Sliding Beds). You are invited ...

The Beatles: The Beatles (Apple)

Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 November 1968

BEATLES DOUBLE-LP IN FULL The Brilliant, the Bad and the Ugly — Track-by-Track review of 30 songs ...

Bonzo Dog Band, Joe Cocker, Tiny Tim: Tiny Tim, Joe Cocker, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band: Royal Albert Hall, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 November 1968

TINY'S BIG HIT ...

Aphrodite's Child: Greek Chartsters

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 November 1968

'RAIN AND TEARS' is one of those songs with a prickle at the nape of the neck moving to a shiver down the spine, and ...

Jeannie C. Riley: A Wild Jeannie

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 30 November 1968

PARAGON PUBLICITY use a Rolls and a chauffeur to get me to Jeannie C. Riley ("it belonged to the Beatles," says the man proudly, "but ...

The Beatles: The Beatles (The White Album)

Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 30 November 1968

BEATLES CHART HISTORY BY GETTING DOUBLE LP IN. ...

The Beatles: Paul Recalls Inspirations Of LP

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 30 November 1968

PAUL McCARTNEY has been talking about The Beatles' new double-album and he is understandably and humanly chuffed at the cover versions of his songs. He ...

Crosby Stills and Nash: Crosby Stills & Nash: Splitting Holly Graham Forms Group That Isn't

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 14 December 1968

TO THE MOSCOW Road, London W.2., where Mr. Graham Nash had news and views and also the company of Mr. David Crosby and Mr. Stephen ...

Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield: Jerry Wexler: 'Team Work Is Secret Of Atlantic's Soul Success'

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 February 1969

Label chief JERRY WEXLER talking to Alan Smith ...

Canned Heat Fight Blues Prejudice

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 February 1969

LIBERTY RECORDS took their time releasing Canned Heat's 'Going Up Country', follow-up to 'On The Road Again', and frankly I had thought that the heat ...

Stevie Wonder: Two Sides of the Great Stevie Wonder

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 February 1969

Stevie champions the under dogs; Musically he's only at the beginning ...

Wilson Pickett: "I'm tired — I ain't doing no TV"— but he does!

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 15 February 1969

Alan Smith welcomes to England an unhappy WILSON PICKETT ...

Sam & Dave: Sam and Dave — soul brothers on stage — but not off

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 March 1969

SOUL BROTHERS on stage... but not so brotherly in real life. That seemed to be the implication by Sam Moore, of Sam and Dave, when ...

Marv Johnson: Marv still works as Tamla clerk

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 March 1969

And he gave label its first ever hit! ...

Bob & Earl Are Many Stars

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 April 1969

WHEN BOB and Earl fly into Britain next week I'll be fascinated to find out if they now call themselves Bobby Garrett, Bobby Day or ...

Desmond Dekker: Dekker Dekkos* London

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 April 1969

IT WAS going to be one of those "day-in-the-life " adventures, with photographer Stuart Richman and I showing excited tourist Desmond Dekker the sights of ...

The Beatles, John Lennon: Beatles Music Straightforward On Next Album: An Interview with John Lennon

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 3 May 1969

"IF I COULD ONLY get the time to myself right now, instead of all this Monopoly and financial business with Northern Songs, I think I ...

Desmond Dekker: Sweetened Ska Beat Could Sweep The Country Claims Desmond Dekker's Producer

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 26 July 1969

ARE DESMOND Dekker's 'Israelites' No. 1 and his latest release 'It Mek' only flashes in the proverbial pan, man... or could a hybrid mix of ...

The Temptations: Can You Put A Name To The Temptations?

Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 13 September 1969

I'VE ALWAYS had the feeling that although the Temptations have enjoyed good record sales in this country, they've never quite made it as people with ...

The Beatles: Abbey Road Album Track-By-Track

Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 September 1969

A YOUNG lady wrote to Radio One's Scene and Heard at the weekend, her heart full of hate, her pen dipped in vitriol, and her ...

Radha Krishna Temple, London: Are You Getting Krishna's Message?

Report and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 October 1969

...wonders ALAN SMITH ...

The Four Tops, Diana Ross, The Supremes: Four Tops Hoping For British Tour, Diana Splits Next Year

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 October 1969

ALAN SMITH reports the latest views from DETROIT, A CITY PACKED WITH NATURAL MOTOWN TALENT. ...

Harry Nilsson: Nilsson — The Complete Opposite of a Pop Star

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 25 October 1969

NICE GUY Nilsson remains — as ever — a nice guy... And in a pop world which occasionally tends to suffer a little too much ...

Jimi Hendrix Uncaged

Interview by Alan Smith, Hit Parader, November 1969

UP THE creaking stairs, past the accommodation agency up the stairs again, then to a hardboard door in the gloom. Knock on the hardboard and ...

The Beatles, George Harrison: Beatle Single — By George!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 November 1969

1969 WILL END up being George Harrison's year. He's waited a long time for real recognition, has George, but his composition 'Something' is released as ...

Stevie Wonder: Stevie Sees Very Clearly

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 November 1969

IN A WORLD of darkness, sound has obviously become almost Stevie Wonder's chief guide and consolation... so I was hardly surprised to hear this week ...

The Beatles, John Lennon, Yoko Ono: John Lennon: Bore, Fool or Saint?

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 December 1969

THEY SAY John Lennon is insane, a fool, and a bore. They call him an embarrassment, a joke, and a man too interested in his ...

Plastic Ono Band: Lyceum, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 December 1969

Oh, no to Ono, 1984 ...

Badfinger: New to the Charts: Badfinger Make Apple Feel Rosy

Profile by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 January 1970

IT'S BIG smiles and happy heads at Apple this week, where the once much-maligned label now has a further chart name — BADFINGER — to ...

The Supremes, The Temptations: Super Star Diana Right To Quit Supremes Say Temptations

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 January 1970

ONLY THE absence of 'flu-bound Eddie Kendricks took the edge off the Temptations' arrival in Britain at the weekend, but the rest of them were ...

The Temptations: Temps Aren't Puppets of Motown

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 7 February 1970

ARE SOME of Tamla Motown's artists "Monkees of Soul"... professional acts who seem so puppet-like and programmed that they hardly come across as real people? ...

Bob and Marcia: 'Why Marry? Our Way's Okay' says Bob Smiling While Marcia Frowns

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 21 March 1970

Reggae stars in London ...

Bob and Marcia Take Plenty Preparation Time

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 4 April 1970

DON'T BELIEVE all that stuff about black artists just jumping up on a stage and doing their thing without a moment of preparation. It happens... ...

Dionne Warwick: Royal Albert Hall, London

Live Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 April 1970

DIONNE DAZZLES ...

Norman Greenbaum: 'Sky' Star Hits At Showbiz Phonies

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 April 1970

I'm not religious but I live a pure life says Norman Greenbaum ...

Paul McCartney: McCartney (Apple)

Review and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 18 April 1970

McCartney is a warm pleasure PAUL TALKS ABOUT LP TRACK BY TRACK ...

Stevie Wonder: Invite Me To Britain pleads "homesick" Stevie Wonder, who says he may marry in six months!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 2 May 1970

ALAN SMITH talks to Tamla's most consistent solo hitmaker ...

The Beatles: Let It Be (Apple)

Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 9 May 1970

NEW LP SHOWS THEY COULDN'T CARE LESSHave Beatles sold out? asks NME's Alan Smith ...

The Beatles: Let It Be (Dir. Michael Lindsay-Hogg, United Artists)

Film/DVD/TV Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 May 1970

Unusual, fascinating Beatles documentary ...

Glen Campbell – Former Beach Boy and Elvis Guitarist!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 June 1970

IT MAY NOT be generally known that Glen Campbell is a former member of the Beach Boys... that he was once a brilliant session guitarist ...

Tony Joe White: Tony Joe Declares — Ah'm Aginst Unhealthy Things!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 August 1970

LISTENING TO Tony Joe White speak is like taking an excursion deep into the man's boots via the steamy swamps of his native Louisiana, where ...

Jeff Beck: Strange Scene at Tamla

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 August 1970

...reports Mickie Most ...

Nicky Thomas Digs Our Tom

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 8 August 1970

NICKY THOMAS came to town the other day, all happy and rarin' to reggae. He smiled a lot and laughed a lot and sat in ...

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Smokey and Miracles Used To Record Two Songs in Three Hours

Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 15 August 1970

BOB DYLAN once referred to Smokey Robinson as "America's greatest living poet," a statement which is not quite so bizarre as it might at first ...

Canned Heat: Alan Kept Balance

Obituary by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 12 September 1970

THE DEATH of Alan Wilson at the weekend left more than a musical gap in the line-up of Canned Heat. Up against the earthiness and ...

Dusty Springfield: Dusty, Singer At Crossroads

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 19 September 1970

DUSTY SPRINGFIELD is the latest recruit to the British pop business's newest in-thing, conveyor belt interviews, and I therefore joined a queue of fellow-journalists the ...

Hot Chocolate, Music Chocolate!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 October 1970

Just the job for a cold night indoors ...

James Brown — Outrageous Extrovert

Profile and Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 October 1970

PERHAPS ONLY the outrageous James Brown could get away with a single like 'Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine', which stands at ...

George Harrison: All Things Must Pass (Apple)

Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 5 December 1970

Loads of talent, and yet... ...

Johnny Johnson & the Bandwagon: Johnny Johnson Likes To Feel Lively And Gay When He's On Stage

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 23 January 1971

THE ULTIMATE experience for Johnny Johnson right now would be to appear in cabaret at the Talk of the Town. He's an unashamed seeker of ...

The Equals: 'Black Skins' Could Be Equals' Biggest In The States

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 20 February 1971

LEADER-SONGWRITER Eddie Grant lives and breathes the Equals, whose fat, pumping 'Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys' single is at No. 19 in this week's NME ...

The Beatles, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr: The Beatles: It's Open Warfare

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 6 March 1971

Why Beatles ended in a sordid mudbath.It isn't coincidence that these solo singles have just been released, says Alan Smith ...

Hot Chocolate's Errol Brown owns up... The Lady Is A Nympho!

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 April 1971

"NO MESSIN' about," chuckled Errol Brown, that shiny-domed Hot Chocolateer who co-wrote 'You Could've Been A Lady' — "it's a song all about a nymphomaniac." ...

Dave and Ansell Collins: 'Double Barrel' — An Attempt To Create a Different Sound Say Dave and Ansell

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 1 May 1971

NME's Alan Smith endeavours to interview this week's chart toppers ...

Chicago: 3000 To Be Turned Away But Chicago Defend London Concert Cancellation

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 May 1971

"UNDERGROUND IS now Overground," said Chicago's Terry Kath... "and Overground is commercial." We were on a transatlantic phone line at the weekend and he was ...

Paul McCartney: Paul And Linda McCartney: Ram (Apple)

Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 22 May 1971

Alan Smith assesses the McCartney Ram album and sums up with... PAUL, WHAT A MESS YOU'VE MADE OF IT! ...

The Jackson 5: Jackson 5: Jacksons Give Teenyblacks Hope

Report by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 29 May 1971

FROM THIS SIDE of the Atlantic it may seem somewhat difficult to appreciate the Jackson-mania — and there is no other word for it — ...

The Beatles, Hurricane Smith: Beatles Were Awful... They Talked Their Way Into A Recording Contract

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 10 July 1971

...says their former soundman NORMAN 'HURRICANE' SMITH to ALAN SMITH Former Beatles' sound engineer Norman "Hurricane" Smith talking about the world-dominating group with whom he worked ...

The Four Tops, The Supremes: Supremes and Tops aren't Puppets of Motown

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 17 July 1971

NME's Alan Smith on the phone to Supreme Jean Terrell in Los Angeles. ...

Medicine Head: The Warmth And Magic That Make The Medicine Go Down

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 24 July 1971

"WE ARE NOT," said Medicine Head's John Fiddler, caught betwixt a meal of rich dark chunks of bread and butter and mellow yellow hunks of ...

John Lennon, Yoko Ono: John Lennon & Yoko Ono: Doing The Rounds For Publicity

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 31 July 1971

He knows it, I know it – the next Lennon album is the greatest says Alan Smith ...

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Plastic Ono Band: At Home With The Lennons, Part 2

Interview by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 7 August 1971

In which
 John burns down the Beatles 'cause he loves 'em ...

John Lennon: Imagine (Apple)

Review by Alan Smith, New Musical Express, 11 September 1971

JOHN SINGS LONG TRACK ABOUT PAUL ...

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