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Smash Hits

Smash Hits

Smash Hits was a pop music magazine published in the UK, and aimed at teenagers and young adults. It ran from 1978 to 2006 and was issued bi-weekly for most of that time.

422 articles

List of articles in the library

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Sylvester Steps Out...

Profile by Cliff White, Smash Hits, January 1979

THE READER who wrote to us last month asking whether Sylvester is male or female may be forgiven for his or her confusion. One of ...

Ian Dury is an Xmas Cake (Relax, it's a compliment)

Profile by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 8 February 1979

1979 is still only a few weeks old, and already the No. 1 singles slot has been occupied first by a buncha camp New Yorkers ...

Elvis Costello: One Itchy trigger

Profile by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 22 February 1979

ELVIS COSTELLO likes to keep his past a mystery. This attitude has led fact-starved journalists to guess that he was once everything from an escaped ...

Generation X: Just A Pretty Buncha Posers? Or is there more to Generation X?

Profile by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 22 February 1979

MOST BANDS would waste no time in setting the dogs on you if you dared call them posers. Generation X, on the other hand, have ...

Earth, Wind & Fire

Profile by Cliff White, Smash Hits, 31 May 1979

Would you believe that this lot are out to improve your minds? Gosh, and here were we thinking that they'd come just to boogie! ...

Donna Summer: Hot Stuff

Interview by Robin Katz, Smash Hits, 14 June 1979

Robin Katz braves the heat to talk to the cool lady who's helped push disco to the forefront. ...

The Jam: Talking 'Bout My Generation: The Jam

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 6 September 1979

IT'S AUGUST 1979 and this is The Modern World. The Who are back in action for the first time in years, their films are on ...

The Specials: Don't Call Me Ska-Face!

Profile and Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 6 September 1979

SO WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT THE SPECIALS? David Hepworth is the man with the answers ...

Boney Mutiny

Interview by Tim Lott, Smash Hits, 18 October 1979

Seems life isn't so sunny after all for a brown girl in the ring, Liz Mitchell explains to Tim Lott. ...

Kate Bush: Things Your Mother Never Told You

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 18 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 ...

XTC: The Great Rock'n'Roll Swindon

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 1 November 1979

The only notes that count are the ones that come from Wilts. David Hepworth meets XTC. ...

The Undertones: Smash Hits Dept. of Gritty Realism presents: If This Is Tuesday, It Must Be Blackburn

Report by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 15 November 1979

David Hepworth goes on the road with THE UNDERTONES ...

Chic: Perfection In Planning

Interview by Robin Katz, Smash Hits, 15 November 1979

Or Wolves in Chics' Clothing? Robin Katz finds out. ...

Gary Numan: Playing To The Aliens

Interview by Jon Savage, Smash Hits, 15 November 1979

John Savage finds out what success means to Gary Numan. ...

Marianne Faithfull: As Years Go By

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 29 November 1979

David Hepworth recites the ballad of Marianne Faithfull ...

Madness: They Call It Madness

Profile and Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 29 November 1979

Dr. Hepworth dons a white coat and investigates... ...

The Selecter: 'Two Tone, Black And White, That's The Whole Thing'

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 10 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, 10 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 ...

KC & The Sunshine Band: Still KC After All These Years

Interview by Robin Katz, Smash Hits, 24 January 1980

Robin Katz traces the career of Harry Casey & The Sunshine Band ...

The Police: Police Profile: Sting

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 7 February 1980

In the first instalment of a four part close-up on the band of the moment, the man with the voice talks to David Hepworth about ...

The Ramones: Wanchewfreefor!!!

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 7 February 1980

David Hepworth catches up with Da Ramones, y'know? ...

Buggles

Interview by Fred Dellar, Smash Hits, 21 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, ...

The Police: Police Profile: More STING

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 21 February 1980

In the second instalment of our four part Police Profile, Sting talks to David Hepworth about fans, fame and the future. ...

The Jam: Riding Waves And Setting Standards

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 6 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 – ...

The Police: Police Profile: Andy Summers

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 20 March 1980

Fifteen years in Rock 'n' Roll. Is it just a passing phase? David Hepworth thinks not. ...

The Police: Police Profile: Stewart Copeland

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 3 April 1980

The man who formed The Police stresses the importance of faith and gestures a lot. David Hepworth sits still and listens. ...

Madness: The Importance of Being Nutty

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 17 April 1980

Mike Stand diagnoses Madness ... ...

Kate Bush: The Me Inside

Interview by Deanne Pearson, Smash Hits, 15 May 1980

Kate Bush lets Deanna Pearson in on her secrets ...

Hot Chocolate: Never Mind The Horlicks: Here's Hot Chocolate

Interview by Robin Katz, Smash Hits, 29 May 1980

ROBIN KATZ JOINS THE OVALTEENIES ...

The Specials: Today Coventry, Tomorrow — Coventry

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 29 May 1980

Terry Hall treats David Hepworth to a short course in TwoTonics and explains how to keep out of the Rat Race. ...

UB40: Food 4 Thought

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 26 June 1980

Mike Stand takes his 2HB and a C90 up the M6 to meet UB40 ...

The Human League: Very Ordinary People With Very Odd Tastes

Profile and Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 10 July 1980

THE HUMAN League are different. Yes, I know that's the fanfare that's trotted out to greet the arrival of every other new act these days ...

Splodgenessabounds: The Max Factor

Interview by Deanne Pearson, Smash Hits, 24 July 1980

Deanne Pearson gives a compact account of Splodgenessabounds ...

The Korgis: Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime

Interview by Fred Dellar, Smash Hits, 24 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, 7 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 ...

New Musik: The Appliance of Science

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 7 August 1980

Knee deep in keyboards and cables, Tony Mansfield makes New Musik. Tape Op: D. Hepworth ...

Grace Jones: This Year's Model

Interview by Mary Harron, Smash Hits, 4 September 1980

Mary Harron meets The Height Of Fashion ...

Ian Dury, Wilko Johnson: Ian Dury & Wilko Johnson: The Odd Couple

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 4 September 1980

The Class of '73 holds a reunion. David Hepworth takes the roll call. ...

The Skids: Is This Man A Poser?

Interview by Deanne Pearson, Smash Hits, 18 September 1980

Or is glamour back to stay? Deanne Pearson investigates. ...

XTC: Optimism Is Next Week’s Thing

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 18 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 ...

The Police: The World About Us

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 16 October 1980

In today's programme, lesson one: Income = Input + Inspiration. Stewart Copeland supplies the formula. David Hepworth studies it very carefully. ...

Motörhead

Report by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, 27 November 1980

Pete Silverton (brave man) takes his gas mask (phew!) and his earplugs (that's better) to meet Motörhead (well known environmental hazard). Talk about angels with dirty ...

Toyah Wilcox: Toyah

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 27 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 ...

Dead Kennedys: A Talent To Annoy

Profile and Interview by Deanne Pearson, Smash Hits, 11 December 1980

"I JUST couldn't believe it. I just kinda stood there with a blank stare on my face, thinking oh God — it really happened!" ...

The Clash: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 25 December 1980

Joe Strummer don't. Neither do The Clash. They just wanna make triple albums. David Hepworth raps (ouch!)   ...

Eddy Grant: Dread At The Controls

Interview by Deanne Pearson, Smash Hits, 8 January 1981

Deanne Pearson visits Ice Records and talks to The Boss (Eddy Grant), The Leading Artist (Eddy Grant), The Band (Eddy Grant), The Chief Engineer (Eddy ...

Madness: The Return of the Mad-nificent 7

Report and Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 5 February 1981

Davy, Dav-ee Hepworth (King Of The Wild Frontier) watches Madness ride off into the sunset. ...

Brian Eno, Talking Heads: Byrne's Eye Vew

Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 5 March 1981

Talking Heads is TV slang for people whose legs you never see. It's also the name of one of the finest groups in the world. ...

Tom Waits: Waits And Double Measures

Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 18 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 ...

Beggar & Co, Light of the World: Light of the World/Beggar & Co

Interview by Robin Katz, Smash Hits, 19 March 1981

"A BEGGAR has no respect. He just speaks his mind. When I'm dressed up as a beggar I feel more open, really free." ...

Linx

Profile and Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 19 March 1981

DAVID GRANT, singer, songwriter, ritzy dancer and one half of the pair of young blades who spearhead Linx, has a saying. "This is show business. ...

Ritchie Blackmore, Deep Purple, Outlaws, The (UK), Rainbow, Screaming Lord Sutch: Ritchie Blackmore: Rock of Ages

Retrospective by Chris Charlesworth, Smash Hits, 19 March 1981

IT'S A MIGHTY LONG WAY DOWN ROCK AND ROLL AND RITCHIE BLACKMORE HAS GOT THE SCARS TO PROVE IT. CHRIS CHARLESWORTH TRACES THE TWENTY YEAR ...

Classix Nouveaux: Art Nouveaux

Profile and Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 2 April 1981

Mike Stand presents a crash course in the Classix ...

Sharon Redd

Profile by Paul Sexton, Smash Hits, 2 April 1981

FOR THE NEXT question, disco fans, try this one. What's the connection between the following two statements? ...

Hazel O'Connor: What Katy Did Next

Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, 16 April 1981

"I get letters saying, 'Did you change your name to Hazel O'Connor for stage work? Is your name really Kate?' They won't even let you ...

The Whispers: Disco: The Whispers

Interview by Robin Katz, Smash Hits, 30 April 1981

THE WHISPERS, who've just topped the success of 'And The Beat Goes On' with their latest smash, 'It's A Love Thing', have no hang-ups about ...

Girlschool

Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, 30 April 1981

Pete Silverton takes a short course in Metalwork. ...

The Fall: Free Fall

Interview by Deanne Pearson, Smash Hits, 30 April 1981

DEANNE PEARSON DISCUSSES THE FUTURE WITH MARK SMITH, LEADER OF MANCHESTER'S MOST MILITANT COMBO. ...

Honey Bane

Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, 14 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 – ...

The Cramps: Psychedelic Jungle (IRS)

Review by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 14 May 1981

FROM THE DEPTHS of the primeval rain forest they came, bathed in hideous blue light, muttering of voodoo and rotting bones and things that go ...

Kim Wilde: Wilde Life

Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 28 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 ...

Coati Mundi, August Darnell, Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Kid Creole & The Coconuts: Kid Creole & the Coconuts

Profile by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 11 June 1981

AUGUST DARNELL sounds like one of those mysterious names that invariably appear in the final credits of a movie or TV series. Could it be ...

Kirsty MacColl: A Chip Off The Old Block

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 25 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. ...

Killing Joke: This'll Kill Ya...

Interview by Deanne Pearson, Smash Hits, 9 July 1981

THERE'S THESE FOUR GEEZERS, REAL MOODY LOOKING TYPES AND THEY'RE INTO THE OCCULT AND WELL, LET DEANNE PEARSON DO THE REST. IT'S THE WAY SHE TELLS 'EM. ...

Bad Manners: Tears of a Clown

Report and Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, 23 July 1981

HE HAS EATEN THIRTY BIG MACS... BUT NOT ALL AT ONCE. DOUG TRENDLE DROPS THE FACADE AND TALKS ABOUT A BAND IN NEED OF A ...

Electro-Disco: Night Moves

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 23 July 1981

Mike Stand gets the lowdown on electro-disco from Rusty Egan. ...

Soft Cell: Cell Division

Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 6 August 1981

Soft Cell are half-Soul, half-Electronic. Johnny Black likes both bits. ...

The Undertones: the Famous Five go to Finland

Profile by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 6 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 ...

Funkapolitan: Your Flavour Of The Month

Profile and Interview by Deanne Pearson, Smash Hits, 20 August 1981

Deanne Pearson learns to Dance, Scream & Scoobydoo ...

Spandau Ballet: Journey to Glory: Spandau Ballet

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 20 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 ...

The Pretenders: Pretenders

Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, 20 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. ...

Ian Dury: Body Language

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 3 September 1981

"HAVEN'T YOU heard? I'm a Fifth Columnist for the Year Of Disabled People. They've bribed me massively." ...

Ultravox: Ultrafile!

Profile and Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 3 September 1981

Ian Birch previews the new Ultravox album with the help of Midge Ure + Chris Cross. ...

British Electric Foundation, Heaven 17: Heaven 17… Or Music For Business And Pleasure

Report and Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 17 September 1981

BACK IN THE middle '70s, when punk snapped out of the woodwork, everyone wanted "complete control". It was a Robin Hood policy — steal from ...

Meat Loaf: Loaf Story, Or How To Sell Eight Million Albums When Nobody’s Looking

Profile and Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 17 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 ...

The Pointer Sisters: Look! Slow hands…

Interview by Barney Hoskyns, Smash Hits, 17 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 ...

Linx: Sunny Side Up

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 1 October 1981

Linx don't mind the weather, just as long as they're together. Forecast: Dave Rimmer. ...

The Human League: The Big League

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 14 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. ...

Duran Duran: In New York New York With Duran Duran

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 15 October 1981

So good they named 'em twice. Postcard from Mike Stand. ...

Laurie Anderson: Ian Birch Investigates Wonderwoman

Profile and Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 15 October 1981

EVERY SO often a single snaps out of nowhere and startles everyone. You've probably never heard of the singer before (and few of them survive ...

Madness: 7-Up

Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, 15 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 ...

Japan: Japanese Boys

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 29 October 1981

David Sylvian and Mick Karn stretch out on the sofa and enjoy their new-found British success. Budge up, says Dave Rimmer ...

ABC... or First Steps in Funk.

Profile and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 12 November 1981

Dave Rimmer meets Sheffield's finest ...

Soft Cell: Bedsitting with Soft Cell

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 12 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 ...

Scritti Politti

Profile and Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 12 November 1981

From the underground...To the charts? We want hits, say the former cult heroes. Quite right, says Ian Birch. ...

Altered Images: Corn Exchange, Cambridge

Live Review by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 26 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 ...

Modern Romance: So This Is Romance?

Profile and Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 26 November 1981

Modern Romance start up a conga. Ian Birch mooseys on down to take a look. ...

Tenpole Tudor: Let's Get Serious

Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 26 November 1981

MIKE STAND DISCOVERS THE OTHER SIDE OF EDDIE TENPOLE ...

The Human League: Human Nature

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 10 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 ...

The Teardrop Explodes: Club Zoo, Liverpool

Live Review by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 24 December 1981

LOOK! OVER by the bar, there's someone in a Julian Cope leather flying jacket! As the opening chords of 'Passionate Friend' ring through from the ...

Robert Palmer: Rhythm 'N Clues

Profile and Interview by Mary Harron, Smash Hits, 25 December 1981

One across (Mary Harron) asks the questions. Six down (Robert Palmer) gives the answers ...

Duran Duran, Talk Talk: Duran Duran/Talk Talk: Hammersmith Odeon, London

Live Review by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 7 January 1982

A LOT OF headbands and scarves in the audience tonight: red silk scarves tied around bushy barnets; thin chiffon numbers screwed round youthful necks; Palestinian ...

Bananarama, Fun Boy Three: Fun Boy Three & Bananarama

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 21 January 1982

CAST YOUR eyes to the right. You know the gents. That's a walkover. It's the Fun Boy Three. ...

The Go-Go's: Go-Go's

Profile and Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 21 January 1982

"THE WEIRD thing is we've sold nearly a million albums back home and about 20 in the UK," say the Go-Go's, sounding a little bemused ...

Adam & The Ants, The Human League, Madness, The Nolans, Gary Numan, The Police, The Specials: Videos

Report and Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 21 January 1982

The rise and rise of the pop video has brought mini-movies into every living room; Adam in panto, The Human League in detective thrillers, Barry ...

Japan: Say Hello, Wave Goodbye?

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 4 February 1982

"I don't know how long the break's going to be," says David Sylvian. "Maybe three months or four or longer." Japan make plans. Ian Birch ...

Kraftwerk: Art & Kraft

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 4 February 1982

TWELVE YEARS OF PRACTICAL ELECTRONICS FINALLY PAY OF WITH THE SUCCESS OF 'THE MODEL'DAVE RIMMER TOURS THE WERKS ...

Fad Gadget: It's A Fad Fad Fad World

Interview by Fred Dellar, Smash Hits, 18 February 1982

By day he's mild-mannered Frank Tovey. But at night he dons disguise and becomes the fearsome Fad Gadget. Fred Dellar talks to both. ...

Heaven 17: Heaven CAN wait

Profile and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 18 February 1982

MAYBE IT'S something to do with the '80s computerised approach to pop. Or maybe it's a reflection of the hard business sense many young bands ...

Theatre of Hate: The National Youth Theatre

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 4 March 1982

KIRK BRANDON, incisive songwriter, powerful singer and photogenic lead actor in the Theatre of Hate, is tired today. ...

Earth, Wind & Fire: Earth Wind & Fire: Wembley Arena, London

Live Review by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 1 April 1982

OVER THE TOP WITH EARTH WIND & FIRE AT WEMBLEY ARENA OUR MAN IN BLOCK E: DAVID HEPWORTH ...

Pigbag: Warehouse, Liverpool

Live Review by Penny Kiley, Smash Hits, 1 April 1982

PIGBAG ARE 'HOT' at the moment and so are the audience — very hot. The Warehouse Club (originally a real warehouse and cosily underground like ...

Bucks Fizz: Let's Get Fizzical

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 13 May 1982

Few groups ever survive thee Eurovision Song Contest. Bucks Fizz haven't justsurvived, they've flourished. Their UK record sales are topped only by The Human League. Ian Birch ...

Yazoo: Only Yazoo

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 13 May 1982

TAKE TWO happy people... ...

The Higsons: Higsons

Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, 27 May 1982

AFTER NORWICH... THE WORLD? THE CULT HEROES ARE NOW AFTER FUN, FAME AND FORTUNE. PETER SILVERTON   FILLS IN THE BACKGROUND. ...

Scritti Politti: It's The Scritti Political Broadcast

Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 10 June 1982

Quiet please! The next feature will be on all three channels. Johnny Black gets a taste of modern soul music. ...

Dollar: Give Me Back My Art

Profile and Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 24 June 1982

There's two sides to Dollar: light and dead serious. They both makes cents to Ian Birch. ...

Gang Of Four: Liverpool

Live Review by Penny Kiley, Smash Hits, 24 June 1982

THE GANG OF Four are one of the few groups who are almost always better on stage than on record. After a sticky patch last ...

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" ...

Soft Cell: The Man in Black

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 8 July 1982

Marc Almond gets a few things off his chest. Neil Tennant provides the vapour rub. ...

The Associates Q&A

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 5 August 1982

IT'S BEEN a good year for the Associates, thus far. Since we last interviewed them in February, they've had a second hit single with 'Club ...

Talk Talk

Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 18 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, 19 August 1982

Duran Duran stop over in California and find they have to get out and push. Words: Ian Birch. ...

J. Walter Negro & The Loose Jointz: The Venue, London

Live Review by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 19 August 1982

JUDGING BY the queue for tickets, "guests" outnumber the paying customers here tonight by something like three to one. It's often like this at The ...

The Undertones: Kilburn National Ballroom, London

Live Review by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 2 September 1982

PLAYING ONLY their second live date of '82. The Undertones were greeted by an ecstatic audience. ...

Simple Minds: Jim Kerr's Glittering Dream

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 16 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. ...

The Boys Town Gang: Possibly The Most Boring Group In The World

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 16 September 1982

The Boys Town Gang talk about Art, Expression and Being Very Creative. Dave Rimmer catches up on some kip. ...

Wham!

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 28 October 1982

Two 19-year-olds from Bushey, Herts, who play all-British rap and funk? I meet all sorts in this job, claims Neil Tennant. ...

Dexys Midnight Runners: Straight Talking

Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 9 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. ...

Shalamar

Profile and Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, 9 December 1982

From just another American disco outfit to an extremely hip modern dance band in only a matter of months. Is it all down to Jeffrey's ...

Thomas Dolby: Marquee Club, London

Live Review by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 9 December 1982

UNTIL THIS series of four shows at London's Marquee, live appearances from the redoubtable Mr Dolby have been rare indeed. He was, apparently, locked up ...

Yazoo: Worlds Apart

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 9 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 ...

Culture Club: The Boy In New York City

Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 23 December 1982

Culture Club take on America and George discovers 46 flavours of shaving foam. Words: Dave Rimmer. ...

Tears For Fears

Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 23 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. ...

On The Tube

Report and Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 6 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 ...

Malcolm McLaren: The New Adventures of Malcolm McLaren

Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 6 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. ...

Pete Wylie, Wah!: The Story of the Wylie

Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 20 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 ...

Aztec Camera

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 3 February 1983

The latest of the new pop duos. Neil Tennant gives them a bit of exposure (sorry). ...

Echo & The Bunnymen

Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 3 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 ...

Kajagoogoo

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 3 February 1983

"It's the sound of primal life," according to these five chaps from Leighton Buzzard. "That's just what I was going to say," replies Ian Birch. ...

Malcolm McLaren: The Mud Club, London

Live Review by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 3 February 1983

ALL THE OLD dances are coming back, you know. ...

Sharon Redd: Embassy club, London

Live Review by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 3 February 1983

SEEING REDD: Midnight at the Embassy club with Sharon. Neil Tennant watches from the shadows. ...

China Crisis: The Chinese Way

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 17 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 ...

The Gap Band, Yarbrough & Peoples: The Gap Band/Yarbrough and Peoples: Hammersmith Odeon, London

Live Review by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 17 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 ...

Eurythmics

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 3 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. ...

Luther Vandross: Dominion Theatre, London

Live Review by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 3 March 1983

BRITAIN MIGHT not yet have heard much of Luther Vandross, but over in the States he's a man much in demand. Primarily a vocalist, he ...

Musical Youth: The Youth of Today

Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 3 March 1983

No different from the Musical Youth of the day before. Neil Tennant meets five young professionals taking worldwide success in their stride. ...

Big Country

Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 17 March 1983

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 ...

Duran Duran Q&A

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 17 March 1983

They came by the lorryload.Thanks to you, we got the biggest response ever to a Question and Answer feature. We plucked out the best and ...

Daryl Hall & John Oates: Hall & Oates: This One's Daryl & This One's John

Profile and Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 17 March 1983

And this is Ian Birch reporting from the American headquarters of Hall & Oates, the most successful double act in recording history ...

Spear Of Destiny: Liverpool

Live Review by Penny Kiley, Smash Hits, 17 March 1983

SPEAR OF DESTINY are not just Theatre Of Hate by a new name. In fact, pretentious names, a guitarist and a bass player are all ...

Altered Images: "We Were Running When We Could Only Walk"

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 31 March 1983

One moment Altered Images were everyone's heroes; the next they hadn't got a friend in the world. What happened? Ian Birch finds out. ...

Haircut 100, Nick Heyward: Back To Square One: Nick Heyward

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 31 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 ...

New Order

Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 31 March 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 ...

The Kids from Fame: The Kids from Fame: The Famous Five

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 31 March 1983

...better known as Leroy, Coco, Bruno, Danny and Lydia. Dave Rimmer travels the length and breadth of America in search of the Kids from Fame. ...

Afrika Bambaataa, Grand Wizard Theodore, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Larry Levan, The Sugarhill Gang: Hip Hop: The Music Centre

Report by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 14 April 1983

Ever wondered where Wham! and Malcolm McLaren got their ideas from? Or how rapping and scratching actually started? The answers lie in the Bronx — a borough ...

Jonathan King: "I Think About 90% of the Public Really Hate Me — and I Don't Like Them"

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 14 April 1983

There you have it — the Jonathan King philosophy. So far it's got him loads of hit records, a slot on Top Of The Pops ...

Robert Palmer: The Palmer's Boy

Report and Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 14 April 1983

... Robert Palmer, that is. A maker of tasteful dance records for well over ten years. Big everywhere from Guatemala to the Costa Del Sol. ...

The Birthday Party

Profile and Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, 28 April 1983

A celebration of lunacy and loud noise imported from Australia. Peter Silverton finds it quite inviting. ...

The Creatures: Bamboo Music

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 28 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 ...

Culture Club: Readers' Q&A

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 12 May 1983

You sent them. We opened them and sorted out the best. The mail sacks were ferried round to the band's London hotel. Dave Rimmer did ...

The Alarm: For Whom The Bell Tolls: The Alarm

Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 12 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 ...

Heaven 17: Another Chapter In "The Rocky Road To The Top"

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 12 May 1983

"I KNEW The Human League were about to break. We'll take a lot longer but we'll do it in the end." ...

Wham!: Bad Boys Stick Together

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 12 May 1983

THROUGH THICK AND THIN, IT SEEMS. WHAM! MET EIGHT YEARS AGO AND HAVE BEEN VERY HARD TO SEPARATE SINCE. ANDREW TALKS ABOUT QEORGE. GEORGE TALKS ...

Blancmange

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 26 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 ...

New Edition

Profile and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 26 May 1983

A YOUNG QUINTET FROM ROXBURY, BOSTON. DAVE RIMMER TAKES A LEAF FROM THEIR BOOK ...

Kajagoogoo: The Sound Of The Crowd: The Kajagoogoo Tour

Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 26 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 ...

Eurythmics

Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 9 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 ...

Imagination: The Gospel According To John...

Profile and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 9 June 1983

Leee John, that is, from Imagination. In the beginning he was a snowflake in a school play. Today he's the singer in Britain's biggest-selling black ...

Irene Cara: Flashdance and Irene Cara

Interview by Ian Birch, Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 23 June 1983

THE FILM It's going to be the big box-office smash of the summer. And Dave Rimmer's already seen it. ...

Bananarama: Q&A

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 23 June 1983

Just how different are they? Neil Tennant puts the girls through that terrifying ordeal — being asked the same questions separately. And here's the answers. ...

Shakin' Stevens: The Secret Life Of Shaky

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 21 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, 4 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. ...

Spandau Ballet Readers' Q&A

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 18 August 1983

THE LETTERS ARRIVED IN LARGE QUANTITIES. WE SELECTED THE BEST QUESTIONS, GAVE THEM TO IAN BIRCH, AND SAT BACK AND WAITED FOR THE ANSWERS. AND ...

Wham!: The Sundance Kids

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 18 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 ...

Heaven 17

Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 1 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 ...

The Police: May The Force Be With You

Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 1 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 ...

Big Country, Eurythmics, Simple Minds, Steel Pulse, U2: U2, Simple Minds, Eurythmics, Big Country, Steel Pulse: A Day At The Racecourse

Report by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 1 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 ...

Culture Club: If It's Thursday It Must Be Munich

Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 29 September 1983

'DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME' HAS BEEN NUMBER ONE IN 23 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, "AND IF YOU'RE A WORLD-WIDE ACT, YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL ...

The Cure

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 29 October 1983

Q: WHAT DO The Cure, The Banshees, The Royal Ballet and Crawley all have in common? ...

The Smiths

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 10 November 1983

"IT'S VERY strange the way things happen," muses Morrissey, 23-year-old singer, lyricist and general spokesman for the Smiths — a band with a growing live ...

Duran Duran: Life In The Land Down Under

Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 24 November 1983

Duran Duran have just got back from three months in Australia. Before they left, Dave Rimmer flew out to join them. ...

The Thompson Twins: If You're At Number 20, All You Can See Is The 19 Groups Ahead Of You. And You Hate Every One Of Them!

Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 24 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 ...

Boy George, Culture Club: Culture Club and George

Report and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 23 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 ...

Duran Duran: A Public Figure

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 19 January 1984

Two people are having lunch in Paris. One of them is a tax exile who owns an Aston Martin sports car, is permanently pursued by ...

Thomas Dolby: The Appliance of Science

Profile and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 2 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. ...

The Smiths: Hits And Myths

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 16 February 1984

From "severe starvation" to chart success without ever once ironing a shirt. Yes friends, says Dave Rimmer, it can be done! ...

Culture Club: Cutlure Club: The Jon Moss Story

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 1 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, 1 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 ...

The Style Council: Two's Company

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 1 March 1984

But three's just that little bit cosier. Neil Tennant has a tête-à-tête-à-tête with The Style Council. ...

Bananarama: We All Broke Down And Cried

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 15 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, 15 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, 29 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. ...

Phil Fearon & Galaxy: Everything's Clicked!

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 29 March 1984

PHIL FEARON HAD A HIT IN 79 AND THEN... WHAT? A LONG HARD PENNILESS SLOG TO FIND A SOUND THAT WOULD DRAG PEOPLE BACK ON ...

Billy Bragg, The Questions, The Style Council: The Style Council, the Questions, Billy Bragg: Dominion Theatre, London

Live Review by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 29 March 1984

OUTSIDE, COPIES of Socialist Youth are on sale and touts are trying to buy tickets because they can resell them for twenty quid to those ...

ABBA, Bucks Fizz, Mary Hopkin, Cliff Richard, Sandie Shaw: Eurovision: It's That Time Again!

Retrospective by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 26 April 1984

On May 5 it's The Eurovision Song Contest. And — admit it — you'll be there in front of the telly cringeing as this year's entry, Belle And The ...

Frankie Goes To Hollywood: The War Game

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 26 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 ...

David Sylvian: The Art Of Noise: David Sylvian

Profile and Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, May 1984

What's David Sylvian been doing since Japan broke up? Taking Polaroids, traveling, organizing an exhibition – oh, and making a new record. "Art is my ...

Blancmange Q&A

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 10 May 1984

When Neil Arthur first met Stephen Luscombe, he thought he was "a bit strange". When Stephen first met Neil, he thought he was "a right ...

Madonna

Interview by David A. Keeps, Smash Hits, 24 May 1984

Bubblegum, Swimming, Rubber jewellery, Ice cream sundaes with hot fudge topping... Madonna thinks they're all yummy, as David Keeps finds out. ...

New Order: We've Got This Far And We Can't Even Play!

Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 24 May 1984

So says New Order's Bernard Sumner. Dave Rimmer isn't saying anything. ...

Billy Joel: The Joel Story

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 24 May 1984

HE THINKS HIS SONGS ARE LIKE "BABIES", VIDEOS ARE "A CHORE" AND HE'S WORRIED ABOUT GETTING "COMPUTERISED". SOUNDS LIKE TIME BILLY JOEL HAD A CHAT ...

George Michael, Wham!: Wham!: The Beach Boys

Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 24 May 1984

A sun-soaked story of sea, sand, shorts, shuttlecocks and snogging. Yes, Wham! are back. Your travel guide in Miami: Neil Tennant. ...

Evelyn Thomas, Gloria Gaynor, The Weather Girls: High Energy

Report by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 7 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, 21 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 ...

Billy Idol: Alive & Kicking!

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 19 July 1984

Billy Idol was the typical punk back in the late '70s — tough, rude, a bit mental. In 1984 he's exactly the same (only more ...

Culture Club In The Land Of The Rising Sun

Report by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 19 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. ...

Prince: His Royal Badness

Profile by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 19 July 1984

That's what they call Prince back home in America. And not without reason: he's a huge star and his on-stage antics are just a little ...

Wah!: The Mighty Wah! This Man Is Not 'A Moaner'

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 19 July 1984

In fact, Pete Wylie of The Mighty Wah! says he hates moaners. He used to slag off other groups all the time but now he's ...

Shannon: "I'm The Same Old Shannon"

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 2 August 1984

So says the one-time accountant from New York City who's now had three huge hits in Britain in only four months. Life's changed, but she ...

Spinal Tap: This Is Spinal Tap (15)

Film/DVD/TV Review by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 30 August 1984

Remember The Bad News Tour? How The Comic Strip tore into the ludicrous excesses of heavy metal groups? ...

The Smiths: Personal File: Johnny Marr, The Smiths

Interview by uncredited writer, Smash Hits, 30 August 1984

NAME: Johnny Marr. I haven't been called "John" since birth. ...

Prince: Purple Rain (15)

Film/DVD/TV Review by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 30 August 1984

PRINCE loves to pout. To press together his moist, full lips while throwing a sulky, sensuous stare with his big eyes. Even more, he loves ...

Adam & The Ants: Adam Ant: "When everybody likes you, you're in real trouble… And I got in real trouble"

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 13 September 1984

Adam Ant is back. Three years after 'Prince Charming', he's ready to face up to his mistakes. And he's still fighting with a new single, ...

Nik Kershaw: Fame! Riches! Fast Cars! Lots Of Free Meals And Fizzy Drinks!

Report and Interview by Phil Sutcliffe, Smash Hits, 13 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 ...

Big Country: Country Life

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 27 September 1984

Don't call them pop stars — "we hate that word". Big Country would rather be thought of as musicians, thanks. They're a lot more interested ...

Wham!: "We're No Con!"

Interview by Ian Birch, Smash Hits, 27 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 ...

Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five

Interview by David A. Keeps, Smash Hits, 11 October 1984

They're from New York. They're the most famous rapping crew in the world. Their single 'White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)' has been in the ...

Frankie Goes To Hollywood: The Wild Boys

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 25 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 ...

John Lennon, Julian Lennon: Julian Lennon

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 25 October 1984

• His father was one of the most famous pop stars ever. • Now he has a hit of his own and talks to Neil Tennant. ...

Chaka Khan

Interview by David A. Keeps, Smash Hits, 8 November 1984

"For five years I've been really working at creating masterpieces. Now I do a song and put rapping on it — which is really the ...

Depeche Mode: Strange But True

Report and Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 22 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, 22 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. ...

Madness: Upwards And Onwards

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 ...

Gary Glitter

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 ...

George Michael, Wham!: "Will George Michael Ever Appear On Stage Again"

Report and Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 3 January 1985

Of course he will. But that didn't stop people asking questions like that on the news the day he strained his back and Wham! had ...

Culture Club: Wembley Arena, London

Live Review by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 17 January 1985

"THIS SONG — first of all it's a great song," George titters, something like this: aha-haha-huyuk. "Second, it's called 'The Medal Song'." ...

Janice Long: The Janice Long Story

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 17 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, ...

Madonna: "I always acted like a star even before I was one!"

Interview by David A. Keeps, Smash Hits, 17 January 1985

And that time has certainly come. She's had massive hits both sides of the ocean, and she's started making movies and claiming she'd "like to ...

The Smiths: Morrissey: 'Meat is Murder!'

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 31 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 ...

Spandau Ballet: Shout To The Top

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 31 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 ...

Mick Jagger: If You Don't Know Who This Bloke Is, Ask Your Parents…

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 14 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 ...

New Order: Finsbury Park Sports Centre, London

Live Review by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 14 February 1985

HOW DO New Order get away with It? If Wham!, Spandau or Frankie stood up onstage wearing their everyday clothes and looking fairly bored, played ...

Alison Moyet: Fowl Play

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 28 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, 28 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, 14 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". ...

The Jesus & Mary Chain: The Jesus And Mary Chain

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 14 March 1985

They're all either 19 or 20 years old. They smash equipment on stage. They wear obscene t-shirts. They play chaotic pop tunes and they want ...

Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy, Duran Duran: The Ups and Downs of Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 14 March 1985

That's the title of his new LP. Fitting, really, for a bloke who was once the singer in Duran Duran and then written off as ...

Eurythmics: C'est Eurythmics N'est Pas?

Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 28 March 1985

Of course it is, mes petits choux-choux. And they're in Paris (hence the Eiffel Tower — trés brilliant, non?). Annie and Dave are making un ...

New Edition

Report and Interview by David A. Keeps, Smash Hits, 4 April 1985

THESE BOYS ARE BUSY. TWO YEARS AGO THEY WERE NUMBER ONE WITH 'CANDY GIRL'. NOW THEY'RE BACK WITH 'MR TELEPHONE MAN' AND 'COOL IT NOW', ...

Elvis Costello, Lash Lariat & the Long Riders, The Pogues: The Pogues, Elvis Costello, The Swamps, Lash Lariat & the Long Riders: The Clarendon, London

Live Review by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 11 April 1985

They're of Irish descent! They play hectic punk-folk music! They leave no table unturned! ...

Kim Wilde: "I'm Game For A Laugh!"

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 24 April 1985

And this, Kim Wilde explains, "can be a bit lethal". When it comes to choosing a new image, she'll try anything. Some look great; with others "I think ...

Tears For Fears: City Hall, Sheffield

Live Review by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 24 April 1985

IT'S HALF PAST eight and Curt and Roland have these 'If it's Monday this must be Sheffield' glazed looks on their faces. Already well into ...

Propaganda: A Song From Europe

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 8 May 1985

The German pop group Propaganda released their last single, 'Dr Mabuse', over a year ago. Then they had to wait while their record company devoted time to Frankie Goes To Hollywood. And ...

Katrina and the Waves: Katrina & the Waves

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 22 May 1985

They're "rather posh", they're half-American/half-English, have a hit single called 'Walking On Sunshine' and are fronted by a girl who claims: "I'M NO SEX KITTEN!" I ...

Asher Senator, The Cool Notes, Five Star, Pato Banton, Smiley Culture: The Cool Notes, Smiley Culture, Asher Senator, Pato Banton, Five Star: Hammersmith Palais, London

Live Review by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 22 May 1985

"All Dayers" have been going for years. They're marathon sessions of dancing to reggae and soul records with live appearances from the singers who made ...

Midnight Oil, The Style Council, The Untouchables, Working Week: Working Week/The Untouchables/Midnight Oil/The Style Council: Glastonbury CND Festival, Somerset

Live Review by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 3 July 1985

MUD: IT'S what you get if 40,000 people tramp around a small farm for 48 hours in almost constant rain. A lot of mud. By ...

The Redskins: * William Shaw Sympathises With... The Redskins

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 17 July 1985

* They think Live Aid is sickening* They reckon the Queen must feel a complete wally"* They want to bring down "post-war consumer capitalism"* They're ...

Live Aid, Saturday 13th July 1985: The Greatest Show On Earth

Report by Various Writers, Smash Hits, 17 July 1985

LAST DECEMBER when Bob Geldof and Midge Ure assembled a choir of extremely famous pop stars to record a song in aid of starving Ethiopians, ...

The Human League: Six Go Completely Bonkers

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 17 July 1985

Three years ago, The Human League were the biggest pop group in the whole world. Their classic single 'Don't You Want Me' had been number ...

Bananarama: A few home truths about Bananarama

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 28 August 1985

• Keren phones people when she's in the bath! Siobhan's growing some lovely gladis in the garden! Sarah's been putting up her own shelves! ...

Kate Bush

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 28 August 1985

She had a number one single when she was 18, and followed that with a string of hits. Then she vanished. So what happened? Did ...

Marc Almond: Do You Hate This Man?

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 11 September 1985

Do you hate this man? If so you're not alone. Marc Almond admits he's "one of the most disliked of all pop stars". But he ...

Nik Kershaw, Paul Young: Paul Young & Nik Kershaw: "We Haven't Actually Kissed Yet..."

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 25 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 ...

Five Star: Five Go To Disneyland

Report and Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 9 October 1985

Pooh Bear wanders by with a pot of honey on his head! Shoals of artificial fish splash merrily in a nearby lake! Donald Duck sings ...

Mai Tai: A fashion designer, an ex fare-dodger and someone who tells the rudest jokes imaginable

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 20 November 1985

"I'VE ONLY ever seen one windmill in my whole life," insists Carolein firmly. Only one windmill? But this is Holland, land of windmills, clogs, tulips ...

Talking Heads: The Trendiest Group In The World?

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 20 November 1985

TINA WEYMOUTH and husband Chris Frantz are sipping orange juice in a London hotel and chatting away about their latest LP, Little Creatures, which has ...

Cliff Richard: The Man Who Invented Rock'n'roll (With A Little Help From Elvis Presley And Shakespeare)

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 4 December 1985

"I SUPPOSE many of the young rock fans who are always looking for something new and exciting find me terribly boring. But if you think about ...

Sade: International Centre, Harrogate

Live Review by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 4 December 1985

SADE ADU may have a most entrancing set of vocal chords and a face to match, but somehow this evening never really got off the ...

Pet Shop Boys: The Pet Shop Boys: An ex-Smash Hits Writer and the Grandson of a Nitwit

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 18 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 ...

A-ha: A Day in the Life of A-ha

Report and Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 1 January 1986

Fireworks, gold discs, spots, a lot of snogging, an interview in a pub, a TV-am film crew and two very nosey people from Smash Hits... ...

Tears For Fears: "We're going to weird out like you wouldn't believe!"

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 1 January 1986

1985 was quite a year for Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal. They had a number one single and album in America and massive hits just ...

Billy Bragg, Junior Giscombe, Spandau Ballet, The Style Council: Red Wedge

Report and Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 12 February 1986

"It's no good just complaining in your beer about things — you've got to come out and say it..." So says Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp. ...

The Rich Kids, Slik, Ultravox, Midge Ure, Visage: The Midge Ure Story

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 12 February 1986

He's had a hand in almost every type of pop group imaginable: he was number one in 1976 with "teenybop" group Slik, almost become singer ...

Pet Shop Boys: What Does It Take To Make These Men Happy?

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 26 February 1986

A NUMBER ONE RECORD? GETTING ON THE COVER OF SMASH HITS? LOTS OF LOVELY MONEY?  WELL, THEY'VE HAD ALL THAT AND THEY STILL LOOK LIKE ...

The B.P.I. Awards

Report by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 26 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 ...

The Bangles

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 26 February 1986

• Four girls from America who think that TV is mashed potato and Prince is "a little crispy round the edges." Oh... Tom Hibbert meets ...

Brilliant

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 12 March 1986

...are someone who used to be in Killing Joke and went a bit mad, a girl from the poshest group in the world and a ...

Howard Jones: Which Way Now?

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 12 March 1986

Howard Jones is Rich, Famous and Successful. He and his wife Jan have planned their family (the baby was conceived at 60 mph in the ...

Sigue Sigue Sputnik

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 12 March 1986

"A lot of people are going to hate Sigue Sigue Sputnik," says their bass player and boss Tony James. "Because we're not into being miserable ...

Prince: The Prince Story

Overview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 12 March 1986

A Tom Hibbert "Blockbuster" ...

Depeche Mode: One Of Those Days...

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 26 March 1986

...you know, when the alarm doesn't go off and you've got a cold and your radio's conked out and the gerbil's chewed the corner off ...

Queen

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 26 March 1986

Were they wrong to play in Sun City? Did the cash in on Live Aid with their single 'One Vision'? At last their gracious majesties ...

Five Star

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 5 April 1986

Nosey? Smash Hits? Well, yes, we are a bit. Like when we spoke to Five Star we couldn't resist asking them how much money they ...

Level 42: This Man's Hands Are Worth £1,000,000

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 23 April 1986

WHY? Because Mark King of Level 42 is widely reckoned to be the best bass guitar player ever. He plays so fast that his thumbs ...

Princess: Personal File: Princess

Interview by uncredited writer, Smash Hits, 7 May 1986

"Morten Harket — who's he? The singer in A-ha? Oooooh, very attractive. He's got a lovely body and I like his bum." ...

Janet Jackson: One Girl, Six Famous Brothers, Ten Million "Exotic" Pets...

Interview by uncredited writer, Smash Hits, 21 May 1986

ON THE sleeve of Janet Jackson's new LP, Control, there's a dedication. "Special thanks to Joe and Katherine Jackson for having such a beautiful and ...

George Harrison, Madonna: Madonna Speaks...

Report by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 21 May 1986

...and what do you think the press do? After weeks spent camping out at airports, breaking into hotels and getting themselves run over to get ...

Sade

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 21 May 1986

Born 26 years ago in Clacton, Helen Folasade Adu spent a lot of her childhood watching Scooby Doo and Charlie's Angels, throwing stones at cars, ...

Talk Talk: Hammersmith Odeon, London

Live Review by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 4 June 1986

WHAT A SCRUFF Mark Hollis is! Talk Talk's singer and songwriter is wearing a tatty old pair of jeans, his shirt isn't tucked in and ...

Bucks Fizz: To Hell And Back

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 2 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 ...

Falco: "I am a little bit weird"

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 2 July 1986

More like stark, staring bonkers, if you ask moi, says Chris Heath ...

UB40: Brothers in Arms

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 2 July 1986

Ali and Robin Campbell have a lot in common: 1) They've both got the same parents; 2) They both spent almost their entire "youth" stealing ...

The Jesus & Mary Chain

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 16 July 1986

• Loathe Radio 1 • Can't stand A-ha • Hate badly-arranged hotel towels • Don't believe in happiness • Think their records are "wonderful"... Two spotty ...

The Real Roxanne

Interview by uncredited writer, Smash Hits, 16 July 1986

"I LOVE BUGS Bunny — he's my favourite wabbit!" ...

Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious: Sid And Nancy (Dir. Alex Cox; Palace Pictures, 18, 92 minutes)

Film/DVD/TV Review by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 30 July 1986

ALEX COX, film director: "In 1980 I tried to write a screenplay called 'Too Kool To Die'. It was about an English rock 'n' roll ...

Five Star: A Day In The Life

Report and Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 30 July 1986

Tinkering with model cars, booting footballs through giant weeds, musing about alien beings from beyond the galaxy and trying to catch a carp... It's all ...

Hollywood Beyond

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 30 July 1986

He used to be a hippie, a mod, a heavy metal fan and "an African dictator gone wrong" who loved rolling around in dirt. Now, ...

Ozzy Osbourne: A Mad Man in Japan

Report and Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 30 July 1986

"They're great, the Japs... they do everything I do. Stick my hand in the air and a thousand hands go up. If I got me ...

Phil Fearon & Galaxy: Phil Fearon

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 13 August 1986

• He used to have lots of hits under the name Galaxy! • He was once asked to join the Sex Pistols! • He sleeps ...

Tina Turner

Report and Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 13 August 1986

• She was a huge star in the sixties, down the dumper in the seventies and now, at 47, she's a huge star again.• She ...

Frankie Goes To Hollywood: They're Back!

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 27 August 1986

Back! BACK! Yes, after 18 months of faffing about and not making any records and getting married and painting and motor racing and selling egg-cups ...

Janet Jackson: This Girl Sleeps With Snakes

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 27 August 1986

And feeds her llama on bubble sum and lets her giraffe eat all her mum's trees and sends her monkey to school. Oh yes, and ...

Billy Idol: An Englishman Abroad

Report and Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 8 October 1986

Where does the man with the biggest sneer in rock'n'roll go for his summer hols? The Caribbean? St. Tropez? Los Angeles? No — Majorca, that's ...

Falco: The Sound of Music

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 8 October 1986

"THE SOUND OF Musik". Fair brings it all back, doesn't it? Julie Andrews swanning over the Alps singing her little heart out. 'Climb Every Mountain'. ...

Howard Jones Has Had A Baby

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 22 October 1986

A little boy, to be exact. He's called Osheen (!) and, at 12 weeks old, has already flown in a plane 11 times and been backstage to ...

Little Richard: This Man Invented Rock'n'roll

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 22 October 1986

Little Richard was wearing make-up and singing pervy songs and shocking audiences before Prince or Sid Vicious or Martin Degville were even born. "I'm a living legend!" ...

Nick Berry: Why Do All Actors Want To Be Pop Stars?

Report and Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 22 October 1986

They're all at it these days: TV personalities (and almost everybody on EastEnders) making pop records. Isn't it all getting a bit out of hand? ...

Cameo: "I Am A Warrior"

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 5 November 1986

Oh. That's funny, we could have sworn you were the bloke with the"codpiece" from Cameo, Larry Blackmon (for it is he) announces his plans for world domination. ...

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince: These men are Sensitive, Romantic Souls!!

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 5 November 1986

("Oh no they're not," says Sylvia Patterson) ...

The Mission

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 5 November 1986

The Mission might have a big hit with 'Stay With Me', but they still can't afford their own make-up bags — so they have to ...

Go West: "There Are Lots Of Pieces Of Nature To Talk To"

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 19 November 1986

Oh dear. Go West tell Chris Heath how they threw away their vests and learned to love the countryside. Or something like that... ...

Kool and the Gang: Kool & The Gang

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 19 November 1986

They're one of the most successful disco bands ever! They make pots and pots of money! They used to beat up paint cans! They're useless ...

Nick Kamen: "Yeeeeeuch!"

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 19 November 1986

That's what Nick Kamen says when he looks in the mirror. "How can this possibly be?" asks Sylvia Patterson. ...

A-ha: WOOOOAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!

Report by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 17 December 1986

A-ha play their first ever concert in Britain! The whole country goes 'wooooaaaaarrrrgggghhhhh!!!" ...

Duran Duran: How To Make A Pop LP Called Notorious

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 17 December 1986

PART ONE: NOTORIOUS In which the three members of Duran Duran talk "openly" and "frankly" (and "incomprehensibly") about the creation of their latest "waxing". Moroccan interview: ...

Pepsi & Shirlie: Pepsi and Shirlie: 'Us Groovy Chicks Want To Get On Down'

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 14 January 1987

Quite. That's what Wham!'s former backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie told George and Andrew anyway. Now they're out there on their own but there seems ...

Swing Out Sister

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 28 January 1987

They hit girls over the head with bits of wood. They make up words like 'woogahumpftma'. They change from Gnomes to Fairies. Their fathers pretend ...

Curiosity Killed The Cat: "We've Got Street Cred! Woooooh!"

Profile and Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 11 February 1987

Curiosity Killed The Cat explain they're not posh, they just wear clothes to "keep warm" and they're certainly not just "four models there for the ...

Pet Shop Boys: Neil Tennant: Smash Hits Editor For A Day!?

Report and Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 25 February 1987

Oh no! What to do? The Editor had flounced off to some so-called "conference", with half an issue of Britain's Brightest Pop Magazine still to ...

The Beastie Boys: The Most Horrible Group In The Universe?

Interview by uncredited writer, Smash Hits, 25 February 1987

They play ear-splitting heavy metal rap music, they throw food on the carpet, they throw eggs at Sigue Sigue Sputnik, they hate the Human League ...

The Beastie Boys

Report and Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 11 March 1987

Their names are MCA, MIKE D and AD-ROCK. They are the most obnoxious pop stars in the history of the world. They are causing complete ...

Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Is this the end of Frankie Goes To Hollywood?

Report and Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 25 March 1987

Just two years ago they were one of the biggest pop groups ever. Now, it all seems to be going horribly, horribly wrong. V. sad ...

The Margaret Thatcher Interview!!?

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 25 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"... ...

Janet Jackson: Watch Your Heads!! Janet Jackson's About!!

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 25 March 1987

She seems so calm and dainty, but when the urge overcomes her, you just can't see the sky for grapes!!? Tom Hibbert faces the fruit... ...

Bon Jovi, Jon Bon Jovi: Jon Bon Jovi: "I am Superman!"

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 8 April 1987

No, you're not — you're Jon Bon Jovi and you "only came to rock and roll" (or something like that). "Wooooah!" screams Tom Hibbert. ...

The Jesus & Mary Chain: The Jesus And Mary Chain: The Glummest Group In The World

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 22 April 1987

The Jesus And Mary Chain hate travelling, hate Ferry Aid, hate Curiosity Killed The Cat, hate being pop stars, hate just about everything actually... "Grumpy ...

Curiosity Killed The Cat: "This Is A Brilliant Album!"

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 6 May 1987

Ju: "We've put our hearts and lives into this." Ben: "I could paint a picture of it." Nick: "Star Wars was a very profound film." ...

Depeche Mode: Fzss!... Zwiing! Aaargh!... Hahahahah!!

Report by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 6 May 1987

Hark! Depeche Mode are having a party — i.e. they're having "a" drink, scoffing streamers, pretending to be space-men, cavorting under tables, stealing "a" drink ...

Glenn & Chris

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 6 May 1987

Why are these two famous footballers zwinging their way up the flingaway charts? Why do their team-mates "compare" them to Wham!?(?) And why do they think the ...

Pepsi & Shirlie: Crazy Places, Crazy People!

Report and Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 20 May 1987

"Show us your favourite 'haunts'," we barked at Pepsi and Shirlie. So they did! But little did we know just how downright odd they would ...

Curiosity Killed The Cat, Sly & Robbie: Sly & Robbie

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 20 May 1987

They've played with Curiosity Killed The Cat, Cyndi Lauper, Grace Jones and now they've got their own hit single with 'Boops (Here To Go)'. "You ...

Wet Wet Wet: Stupid Sports of the World Part 112: Ten "Pin" Bowling featuring Wet Wet Wet

Report and Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 20 May 1987

They used to be "punk" "rockers" with horrible hair but now they're four "nice" "lads" who love their parents and take their washing home with ...

George Michael: Love, Sex and Stupid Wigs

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 3 June 1987

George Michael's new single, 'I Want Your Sex', has been banned by the radio. His new video has been banned by the TV. And George ...

Johnny Hates Jazz: Hello. We're Johnny Hates Jazz

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 3 June 1987

Clark Datchler • His dad used to be in a top jazz group called The Polka Dots!• He actually doesn't like jazz very much at all!• He's ...

Boy George, Culture Club, Heartbeat UK: Jon Moss: "Culture Club is the last thing on my mind"

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 3 June 1987

Why does Culture Club's drummer Jon Moss not want to think about his old pal Boy George? Is it because their last few months together ...

The Beastie Boys In Montreux: What Really Happened!

Report and Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 3 June 1987

• According to the "news"papers, the Beastie Boys arrived in Montreux, swore at a group of sick children, threw a bottle at Run DMC, turned ...

A-ha, The Beastie Boys, Boy George, The Communards, Curiosity Killed The Cat, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Whitney Houston, Nick Kamen, Simply Red, Spandau Ballet, Swing Out Sister, UB40: The Montreux Pop Festival

Report and Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 3 June 1987

What are Curiosity Killed The Cat, Boy George, Whitney Houston, Beastie Boys, A-ha and three squillion other pop stars doing in a little town in ...

Curiosity Killed The Cat Conquer The World!

Report and Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 17 June 1987

Or a teensy-weensy bit of Germany anyway. Though, as William Shaw discovers, this wild life of disintegrating jackets, late late nights, heavy metal clubs and disgusting aeroplane ...

Terence Trent D'Arby: Madman or Genius?

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 17 June 1987

"Em, both probably," pipes Sylvia Patterson ...

The Beastie Boys Go To Brighton, Don't Blow Up A Single Deck-Chair And Decide, "Hey! Yo! This Is My God Damn Kinda Place Man!!"

Report and Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 17 June 1987

(except for Ad-Rock, that is, who's a weed...) ...

A-ha: Are A-ha still the Greatest Pop Group in the World?

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 1 July 1987

Three years ago they were penniless, living in London on salt and pepper sandwiches. Two years ago their first single 'Take On Me' had flopped ...

Diana Ross: A Living Legend Speaks!

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 1 July 1987

She's been dazzlingly famous for over twenty years, she natters to Michael Jackson on the phone all the time, she's unbelievably rich and at 43 ...

Pet Shop Boys: Take: 1 Wasteland, 2 Pet Shop Boys, 7 Deadly Sins, 15 Monks

Report and Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 1 July 1987

...and what have you got? "Beats me," says William Shaw, "but I hope they don't eat all of that vegetable crumble." ...

Wet Wet Wet: The "Secret" Life of Wet Wet Wet

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 29 July 1987

Who are these four Scottish scamps currently racing up the charts with 'Sweet Little Mystery' while still living at home with their mammies?... ...

Sinitta: "Hello, I'm Sinitta and..."

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 12 August 1987

'TOY BOY' IS ABOUT MY 18 YEAR OLD LOVER ...

Brother Beyond

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 12 August 1987

We present 25 incredible, barmy and completely true facts about the group that Italy knows as "Brother Behind." ...

Terence Trent D'Arby: Spook Shopping The Terence Trent D'Arby Way

Report by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 21 October 1987

What do pop stars do when they're suddenly quite rich? If they're called Terence Trent D'Arby they buy lots of compact discs, loads of books ...

Was (Not Was)

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 21 October 1987

■ Who on earth are Was (Not Was)? How did they split Wham! up? Why do they think Madonna can't sing for toffee? And will ...

George Michael: The Glummest Man in Pop?

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 18 November 1987

Why does George Michael always look so glum? Is it because he's missing his old chum Andrew Ridgeley? Or maybe he's miffed that his last ...

Public Enemy

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 15 December 1987

Chuck D. and Griff of Public Enemy tell Chris Heath about their hit single 'Rebel Without A Pause' and explain why they're "deadly serious" about ...

Wet Wet Wet: Christmas is...

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 15 December 1987

...Love? Peace on earth? Goodwill to all "man" kind? Not ruddy well likely, say Wet Wet Wet (except for Tommy because he's a weed). It's ...

T'Pau: "I was always a bit of a Tragedy-Drawers"

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 13 January 1988

How can this possibly be? Carol Decker from T'Pau is renowned for her "feistiness", being sick in her cowboy boots etc., and yet she's "terrified ...

INXS: The Most Fanciable Creation In The History Of The Universe...?

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 27 January 1988

That's what "millions" of people round the rest of the world think of INXS's Michael Hutchence. Now that he's incredibly famous for the first time ...

Tiffany

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 27 January 1988

She's just 16, she falls off skateboards, she gets force-fed by her dad, she got called Whiffany at school, she fancies Jon Bon Jovi but ...

Bros: This Is What You Do To Get On The Cover Of Smash Hits...

Report and Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 10 February 1988

It's not just a queston of having a massive hit (e.g. Bros' 'When Will I Be Famous?') and then standing still for thirty seconds in ...

The Beastie Boys: What Are They Up To Now?

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 10 February 1988

• Last year hardly a moment seemed to pass without the Beastie Boys releasing brilliant rap-type creation, causing riotous mayhem and larking about on Brighton ...

Michael Jackson: The Bubbles Story!

Profile by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 24 February 1988

Michael Jackson, eh listeners? He's a bit of a rum dude who never talks to anybody in his weeny, whisperish "voice". Except, that is, to ...

Wet Wet Wet: Could you cope with being in Wet Wet Wet!

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 9 March 1988

Well, first of all you get "kidnapped" by a mad taxi driver, then you get attacked by people who want to punch you in the ...

Debbie Gibson: Brilliant!

Report and Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 9 March 1988

That's Chris Heath's "considered" opinion of Debbie Gibson's first ever British consort at the Astoria in "downtown" London... ...

Eighth Wonder: Lookin' The Way You Like And Likin' The Way You Look

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 23 March 1988

... the Patsy Kensit way (i.e. wrestling with bits of steel "piping", scoffing plenty of bubble-gum (?) and being booted out of the school netball ...

Pet Shop Boys: Cheeseburgers, Carrot Cake and Coffee (yum!?)

Report and Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 27 March 1988

That's the rather odd "combination" that the Pet Shop Boys seek out when they have some time to "kill" in New York. "I'll have some ...

A-ha Express

Report and Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, April 1988

 Why are lots of "journalists" and "jugglers" waiting to get on a train to go and see A-ha playing live? Sylvia Patterson "investigates"... ...

Bros: "We're The Only Group Who Write About Our Generation"

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 6 April 1988

Matt, Luke and Craig from Bros tell William Shaw about the songs on their first-ever LP Push... ...

Tiffany: Pizzas! "Fairy" Lights! Cosy Jerseys! Grammar "Lessons"!

Report and Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 6 April 1988

What does Tiffany get up to while she's knocking 'em dead on the rock'n'roll highway with her "fairy" light extravaganza? "Erm... ahoorgh, well...""reports" Sylvia Patterson." ...

Kylie Minogue

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 20 April 1988

She's already been number one for about 12 years with 'I Should Be So Lucky', she's about to bring out her new single 'Got To ...

The Housemartins: Now That's What I Call Quite Good (Go! Discs)

Review by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 18 May 1988

THEY CAME, they saw, they thought "Pthrthrthr! I'm off..."and they left. (Snirfle.) But not before they left us this — a double LP of the ...

Debbie Gibson: Wakey Wakey

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 1 June 1988

Come on Debbie, time to rise and "shine"! (snooooze...) Out from under the "duvet" with you, missus! (yawn!)... Debbie Gibson tells Chris Heath about her ...

Wet Wet Wet: Scottish Exhibition Centre, Glasgow

Live Review by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 29 June 1988

HERE WE are at the first Wet Wet Wet concert of their "Temptation" tour and blow me down if there aren't people keeling over wherever ...

Michael Jackson: Parc Des Princes, Paris

Live Review by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 13 July 1988

HE'S THE BIGGEST POP STAR IN THE WORLD AND HE'S ON HIS WAY HERE!! The Michael Jackson Live Experience is really quite astonishing. He bends, he ...

Kylie Minogue: Toothpaste, Thunderbirds And A Chocolate Sandwich?!!!

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 27 July 1988

...And pandas, the planet Pluto and about a million other spook-objects. What do they all have in "common"? They're just some of the things that ...

Five Star: The Legend Continues!!

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 10 August 1988

The Star — worran institution! For five years now they have been in the public eye but does anyone know what they're really like? "Er, ...

Voice Of The Beehive: There's No Place Like Home

Report and Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 21 September 1988

There certainly isn't, listeners, especially when you're Tracey and Melissa from Voice Of The Beehive and "home" is none other than "L.A." (man). William Shaw ...

Rick Astley: "You Shouldn't Take Rick Astley Too Seriously!!"

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 30 November 1988

And not many people do!! (Ho ho, just a wee jest there, Rick.) Come with us, if you will, as Sir Dick Spatsley takes us ...

Jason Donovan, Kylie Minogue: Jason & Kylie: Awwww... Kissy-Kissy!!... JD ♥ KM... Coo-ee!!... Yes Dear...

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 30 November 1988

Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, eh? It's the kiss-up of the century, the romance of the millennium, is it not? "Er, no actually, we're really, ...

Dame Edna Everage: "I'm A Sort Of Fairy Godmother"

Interview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 14 December 1988

Absolutely! For you are the "legendary" "housewife-superstar" Dame Edna Everage, mentor of the rich and famous, guru of "style" and big pal of Sir Clifford ...

Brother Beyond: What's it Really Like Being a Pop Star?

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 11 January 1989

Oh, being a pop star is such hard work. You've got to get up at six in the morning and sit in a draughty warehouse for 17 ...

Neneh Cherry: What Is She Like?

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 11 January 1989

She's the new pop sensation that's sweeping the nation! Yeah, even as we speak her corking tune 'Buffalo Stance' is hurtling its way up the ...

Milli Vanilli: Personal File: Milli Vanilli

Interview by uncredited writer, Smash Hits, 11 January 1989

FULL NAME: Robert Pilatus. BORN: 8/6/65 in New York. ...

Yazz: Hello Trees, Hello Sun, Hello Flowers, Hello Yazz!!

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 25 January 1989

There's lentils in the air, readers, as Yazz delves into her "cosmic" psyche and tells us we should love ourselves and that our voices are ...

Jason Donovan: Somebody HEEEEELP ME!

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 8 February 1989

Jason Donovan, eh? He is, as we all know, a clever 'n' rich 'n' good-looking pop type who thinks he's a bit sporty what with ...

Ten City: Mean Housin' Muthas From Chicago!!

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, April 1989

As opposed to "mean rockin' muthas from hell" (haw haw). Tom Doyle gasps at their tale of dubious street gangs and teetering high heels and ...

Debbie Gibson: She's a crazy rock'n'roll vixen from hell!!!(?)

Report and Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 3 May 1989

Actually, she's not. She's a perfectly charming young lass who likes George Michael and wearing glasses and playing the piano and, more than anything else ...

Yazz: How to Make £25,000 a Night and End Up Skint

Report by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 3 May 1989

You call yourself Yazz, charge 3,000 people £8.50 each to come and see your concert and then give it all away to fat sweaty blokes ...

Bobby Brown: He's... Bobby Brown

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 14 June 1989

• He wibbles and wobbles because he's the new Michael Jackson! • He's got a bullet-hole in his knee because he's a "kid" from ...

Sinitta: "I'm Bigger Than Kylie!"

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 14 June 1989

..."I'm sure I'm at least a head taller than her!!!" jests pop phenomenon Sinitta from a hotel room in Detroit where she's visiting her family. ...

Transvision Vamp: "I Don't Care If Everyone Hates This LP"

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 27 June 1989

Pah! She does really! Because even rock'n'roll rebels want to be rich and famous and adored by everyone. It's why Wendy James and Transvision Vamp have ...

Milli Vanilli: "We've sold the most singles on cassette any band has sold in the world!!!!"

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 26 July 1989

That's as may be, but Rob and Fabrice are vastly more famous for their energetic dance wiggles and their forgotten trouser wear. Tom Doyle explores ...

Holly Johnson: What does Holly Johnson get up to on his days off?

Report and Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 26 July 1989

★ Well he potters around posh art galleries with his pals, he browses round the odd with-it clothes shop, and he has a spot of ...

Kylie Minogue: Kylie Speaks Out... On Love, Money, Marriage And Three Foot Grandmothers!!!

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 9 August 1989

And that's not all. For she has a thing or two to say about brown paper bags, plumbing and lime-green sequinned bras too!! And why ...

De La Soul: "Chicken sandwich! Hyaphehehe hyupaheehee who ha ha!"

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 1 November 1989

Geddit? Neither do we actually, but then it seems we're not supposed to. That's De La Soul for you. Chris Heath wrestles with the grumpiest ...

Jive Bunny: How to create a Pop Phenomenon called Jive Bunny in 15 easy steps...

Profile and Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 1 November 1989

Just follow this simple step-by-step guide and you too could be a chart-topping pop phenomenon with two number one hits and a potful of money! ...

New Kids On The Block: It's the New Kids on the Block!

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 16 November 1989

IT'S THE Monday morning after their "triumphant" performance of 'You Got It (The Right Stuff)' at the Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party and New Kids ...

Black Box: Daniele Davoli: This is the bloke who invented "Italian House"

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 29 November 1989

  THE WORLD of pop is a funny and unpredictable thing, isn't it? If someone had said last Christmas that the biggest pop craze in 1989 ...

Soul II Soul

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 29 November 1989

• They're not a group but "a way of life"! • They used to imagine they were on the Planet Ard! • They're building ...

Neneh Cherry: So you think you know everything about Neneh Cherry?

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 13 December 1989

(WELL YOU DON'T... as Chris Heath discovers) ...

The Stone Roses

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 13 December 1989

★ They're four loveable urchins from Manchester who have just shaken the world of pop to its foundations with their "spacey" funk workout 'Fool's Gold'. ★ ...

Jason Donovan: Would Jason sell his granny for a packet of Twiglets?

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 10 January 1990

Who knows what lurks beneath that chummy, cheery exterior? IS JASON REALLY A MORALLY UPRIGHT CITIZEN OR IS HE A SCOUNDREL? Tom Doyle confronts him ...

Beats International: "Ngh-nngh-ngghh-ngh-nnunnugh!"

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 21 February 1990

Hark! It's the sound of "Dub Be Good To Me — as invented by a bloke who used to be in the Housemartins and a ...

Black Box, Loleatta Holloway: Did that girl in BLACK BOX used to be a bloke?

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 21 March 1990

No! She's always been a lassie. But she did used to be a rugby player. Tom Doyle pokes his nose into the peculiar world of ...

Michael Bolton

Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 21 March 1990

★ He's got a weedy ballad that's taken the charts by storm! ★ He's got a hairdo from hell! ★ He's got millions of ...

Primal Scream: "We're heavier than Guns n' Roses... We're loose and loaded delinquent rockers."

Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 21 March 1990

Yikes! They're so tough! Practically all of Primal Scream have been in prison! They think they're dead sexy! They don't wash their hair! And they ...

Jason Donovan: "Nobody's forcing you to listen to my music. Turn the radio off if you don't like it..."

Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 4 April 1990

JASON'S BACK! And he's rich! And he's famous! But is he happy? And is he really going out with Martika? SIÄN PATTENDEN investigates... ...

Happy Mondays: Madchester vibes in the area... it's the Happy Mondays

Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 4 April 1990

Shaun! Bez! Gaz! The other blokes! It's the Happy Mondays! And they're such rock 'n' roll degenerates they make Guns N' Roses look like Yell! ...

808 State, Adamski, Black Box, Guru Josh, Orbital, The Shamen: Black Box, Guru Josh, Orbital, 808 State et al: Energy, Docklands Arena, London

Live Review by Caroline Sullivan, Smash Hits, 2 May 1990

TYPICAL SO-called "raves" (i.e. those massive dance parties held in cornfields off the M2S) don't usually start 'til gone midnight. Energy, which bills itself as ...

Kylie Minogue: N.E.C., Birmingham

Live Review by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 2 May 1990

A SIZZLING X-RATED SHOW! (except it's nothing of the sort) ...

Soul II Soul: The Remarkable Life of Jazzie B: "It's a tough job but someone has to do it..."

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 2 May 1990

He's the leader of the most influential dance group for years, but he's not too impressed with the rest of the charts. He's flattered that ...

Beats International

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 16 May 1990

LINDY FULL NAME: Belinda Kimberley Layton. That's what I was christened but I've never ever ever been called Belinda, always Lindy. My mum wanted to call ...

Salt-N-Pepa: What Has Happened To Salt'n'Pepa?

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 16 May 1990

★ ONCE THEY WERE A GIRLIE RAPPING TRIO WHO STOLE THE SHOW AT THE SMASH HITS POLL WINNERS PARTY. ★ Then they disappeared off the ...

Kurtis Mantronik, Mantronix: Personal File: Mantronix

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 30 May 1990

★ FULL NAME: Kurtis Mantronik. I changed it to that because I was having problems with my real name. I had a Syrian surname and ...

Big Fun, Sonia: Out To Lunch With Big Fun and Sonia

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 10 June 1990

★ First Bob Dylan and George Harrison and their crumbly chums formed The Travelling Wibblies! ★ Then the Pet Shop Boys and Barney Sumner from ...

En Vogue: Dawn! Maxine! Terry! Cindy!

Profile and Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 13 June 1990

They're four "comely" maidens from Oakland, California, who don't wear many clothes, but cry at sappy greetings cards and think quite highly of women's "issues". ...

Was (Not Was)

Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 13 June 1990

  ★ They're two blokes from Detroit who say they're brothers but aren't really! ★ They're all for killing dolphins for the sake of a tuna ...

Roxette: Oh no! Hide your hairspray, mother! It's... Roxette!

Profile and Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 27 June 1990

They may look like two solemn foreign persons with debatable hairdos but ROXETTE are, in fact, incredibly rich and famous pop heroes across the globe. ...

Primal Scream: At Home with Bobby Gillespie out of Primal Scream

Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 22 August 1990

★ He's got a shrine to Madonna in his bathroom!★ He's got an old woman's sofa! ★ He's got some Winnie The Pooh mugs! ★ ...

Adamski: This Is The Life!

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 5 September 1990

The lucky swine! Adamski's record company has given him loads of money to go to LA, record some songs, rub shoulders with the stars, quaff ...

Adamski, Electribe 101, Erasure, Was (Not Was): Erasure, Was (Not Was), Adamski, Electribe 101: Milton Keynes Bowl

Live Review by Caroline Sullivan, Smash Hits, 19 September 1990

THE FINAL date of Erasure's world tour, "The Wild Party", takes place on a windswept grassy slope so the atmosphere's not especially "partylike", but everyone ...

Michael Jackson: The Day I Went To Michael Jackson's House…

Report by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 3 October 1990

Imagine… you go to Michael Jackson's house, he introduces you to all his animals, you have a cosy chat, a spot of luncheon, go for ...

Adamski: Doctor Adamski's Musical Pharmacy (MCA)

Review by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 17 October 1990

THIS IS Adamski's proper studio LP and it marks the end of his transformation from underground rave king to madly grinning pop star. Of course, ...

Monie Love: Down To Earth (Cooltempo)

Review by Caroline Sullivan, Smash Hits, 17 October 1990

RAPPERS ARE always rambling on about themselves in their songs — how completely "slammin'" they are and how laughably "wack" everyone else is. How pleasant, ...

Betty Boo Conquers America!!

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 14 November 1990

Well, that's what she's trying to do anyway. She's just spent three exhausting weeks in TV studios, radio stations and hotel rooms all over the ...

EMF: Clearwell Caves, Gloucestershire

Live Review by David Quantick, Smash Hits, 28 November 1990

THE FOREST OF DEAN in rural Gloucestershire is not the sort of place you would call "the home of very noisy rock 'n' roll"; this ...

Jason Donovan: If You Go Down To The Woods Today…

Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 12 December 1990

You'll probably bump into this bloke staring moodily into the middle distance, resting from a gruelling Christmas TV show, contemplating having to dance with a ...

Depeche Mode: Wembley Arena, London

Live Review by Caroline Sullivan, Smash Hits, 25 December 1990

A "STOCKY" BLOKE in white jeans and perv-o-sparkle glitter jacket! A fright-wigged blonde bloke in a chain-mail mini skirt! A bespectacled bloke who stands grimly ...

EMF: They'd Sell Their Mothers for a Bunch of Bananas!!!!

Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 9 January 1991

One of them won't talk! One of them's got chicken pox! One of them got prosecuted for forging money! They are the 'Mef and they're ...

Gloria Estefan

Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 9 January 1991

She was the toast of the pop world with her spicy Latin tunes! But then, last year, she narrowly escaped death in a coach accident ...

Belinda Carlisle, The Go-Go's: Belinda Carlisle!

Interview by Caroline Sullivan, Smash Hits, 23 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 ...

Milli Vanilli: The Milli Vanilli Story: What A Swizz!!

Report by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 23 January 1991

They had many hits! They bought lots of houses! They earned loads of money! But unfortunately ROB and "FAB" forgot to sing on their records!! ...

808 State's Record Store: Are You Being Served?

Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 6 February 1991

This is EASTERN BLOC in Manchester — the trendiest record shop in the land! It's where the stars buy their records. And it's owned by ...

MC Hammer: Here Comes The Hammer!!!

Report by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 6 March 1991

It's the all-rappin' all-dancing "revue" sensation that is MC HAMMER's American live show! It's coming to this country on May 2! And SIAN PATTENDEN has ...

Charlatans, The (UK): Tim... from the Charlatans

Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 20 March 1991

★ He kips every night in a green sleeping bag ★ He thinks he can't sing to save himself ★ And he can't keep his ...

Madonna: Hasn't Madonna Snogged A Lot Of Blokes?

Report by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 1 May 1991

She certainly has! Film stars. Pop stars. Producers. She's had more boyfriends than hot dinners! Here's CHRIS HEATH to tell us about the eight most ...

Paula Abdul: At Home in L.A. with Paula Abdul!!

Report and Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 26 June 1991

* She's got seven toilets (but no loo roll)! * She's got some margarine stuff in her fridge called I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! ...

Cher: Love Hurts (Geffen)

Review by Caroline Sullivan, Smash Hits, 10 July 1991

THIS ALBUM, earthlings, is one exhausting experience. ...

Kylie Minogue: "Sexbomb!!? Never call me that!"

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 3 August 1991

Crumbs! Kylie Minogue's got a bone to pick with Britain's Bounciest Pop Gazette (i.e. Smash Hits) because last time we interviewed her she told us ...

Bryan Adams: Tiiiiimmberrr! It's The Singing Lumberjack!

Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 16 October 1991

★ He spends hours talking to trees! ★ He wears a checked shirt with the sleeves cut off! ★ He goes hiking up the Rockies! ...

Dannii Minogue: Don't wait up!

Report by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 22 July 1992

Party on! The X- rated story of a wild night out in New York with Dannii. ...

Boyz II Men: Can You Handle It?

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 17 February 1993

How many awkward questions have you got to ask Boyz II Men before they stop being so damn polite? ...

Shabba Ranks: Ragga: The Experience

Report by uncredited writer, Smash Hits, 26 May 1993

18-year-old Massie from Croydon is a regular at a South London club that's known for its ragga nights. Here she tells of a typical Thursday ...

Sonia: Euro Hell

Report by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 26 May 1993

It's a cowshed in Ireland. It's packed with foreigners sporting Pat Sharp haircuts. It's Our Sonia's big stab at Eurovision Song Contest fame. And its ...

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince: Boom shake shake the room for the Fresh Prince!

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 15 September 1993

WHEN WILL Smith walks into the room with his posse of baseball-capped, heavy duty "mates" (ie minders), you know someone really famous has arrived. And ...

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince: NO! Not the biscuit tin! The Fresh Prince wishes the Rich Teas weren't so stale...

Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 10 November 1993

AND THE FIRST QUESTION FROM THE TIN IS... ...

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