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.
425 articles
List of articles in the library
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
ABC... or First Steps in Funk.
Profile and Interview by Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, 12 November 1981
Dave Rimmer meets Sheffield's finest ...
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! ...
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, ...
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! ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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... ...
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"... ...
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!!!" ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 27 October 1993
Apache Indian has a message for you And you don't have to be Asian to hear it ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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). ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
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! ...
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. ...
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 – ...
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 ...
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 ...
Report and Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 17 June 1987
(except for Ad-Rock, that is, who's a weed...) ...
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 ...
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: 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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." ...
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? ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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? ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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... ...
Bros: The Empire State Building! Shopping! Yellow Taxis! Lots of Limos!
Report and Interview by Chris Heath, Smash Hits, 20 April 1988
Gosh! Bros are getting rather excited on their first-ever visit to America. "And it's a non-stop tale of high jinks and late-night pranks!" reports Chris ...
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 ...
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." ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
Interview by Deanne Pearson, Smash Hits, 15 May 1980
Kate Bush lets Deanna Pearson in on her secrets ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
Review by Caroline Sullivan, Smash Hits, 10 July 1991
THIS ALBUM, earthlings, is one exhausting experience. ...
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 ...
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) ...
Interview by Robin Katz, Smash Hits, 15 November 1979
Or Wolves in Chics' Clothing? Robin Katz finds out. ...
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 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!) ...
Classix Nouveaux: Art Nouveaux
Profile and Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 2 April 1981
Mike Stand presents a crash course in the Classix ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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! ...
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 ...
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 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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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'." ...
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" ...
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? ...
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 ...
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." ...
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 ...
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 ...
Terence Trent D'Arby: Madman or Genius?
Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 17 June 1987
"Em, both probably," pipes Sylvia Patterson ...
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!" ...
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 ...
Cathy Dennis: Yes! It's Norwich's Most Famous Star!!... Cathy Dennis
Profile and Interview by Siân Pattenden, Smash Hits, 15 May 1991
IT'S MIDDAY at the Top Of The Pops studio and Cathy Dennis, flame-follicled damstrel from Norwich, is on her super new mobile phone to the ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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: These men are Sensitive, Romantic Souls!!
Interview by Sylvia Patterson, Smash Hits, 5 November 1986
("Oh no they're not," says Sylvia Patterson) ...
Interview by Tom Doyle, Smash Hits, 10 November 1993
AND THE FIRST QUESTION FROM THE TIN IS... ...
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. ...
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 ...
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. ...
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... ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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: ...
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 ...
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." ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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! ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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". ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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. ...
Marianne Faithfull: As Years Go By
Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 29 November 1979
David Hepworth recites the ballad of Marianne Faithfull ...
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 ...
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'. ...
Interview by Deanne Pearson, Smash Hits, 30 April 1981
DEANNE PEARSON DISCUSSES THE FUTURE WITH MARK SMITH, LEADER OF MANCHESTER'S MOST MILITANT COMBO. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Funkapolitan: Your Flavour Of The Month
Profile and Interview by Deanne Pearson, Smash Hits, 20 August 1981
Deanne Pearson learns to Dance, Scream & Scoobydoo ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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... ...
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 ...
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 ...
Interview by Peter Silverton, Smash Hits, 30 April 1981
Pete Silverton takes a short course in Metalwork. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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... ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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! ...
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 ...
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 ...
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." ...
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 ...
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. ...
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, ...
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 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 ...
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 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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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... ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 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 ...
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 ...
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! ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Grace Jones: This Year's Model
Interview by Mary Harron, Smash Hits, 4 September 1980
Mary Harron meets The Height Of Fashion ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
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!" ...
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, ...
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. ...
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 ...
Madness: The Importance of Being Nutty
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 17 April 1980
Mike Stand diagnoses Madness ... ...
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 ...
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. ...
Profile and Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 29 November 1979
Dr. Hepworth dons a white coat and investigates... ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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". ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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!! ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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) ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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', ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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! ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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." ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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: 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 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. ...
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 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. ...
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. ...
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! ★ ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
Overview by Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, 12 March 1986
A Tom Hibbert "Blockbuster" ...
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." ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
The Ramones: Wanchewfreefor!!!
Interview by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 7 February 1980
David Hepworth catches up with Da Ramones, y'know? ...
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 ...
Interview by uncredited writer, Smash Hits, 16 July 1986
"I LOVE BUGS Bunny — he's my favourite wabbit!" ...
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? ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
Sinitta: "Hello, I'm Sinitta and..."
Interview by William Shaw, Smash Hits, 12 August 1987
'TOY BOY' IS ABOUT MY 18 YEAR OLD LOVER ...
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. ...
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. ...
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! ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
Interview by Johnny Black, Smash Hits, 6 August 1981
Soft Cell are half-Soul, half-Electronic. Johnny Black likes both bits. ...
Interview by Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, 8 July 1982
Marc Almond gets a few things off his chest. Neil Tennant provides the vapour rub. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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? ...
Splodgenessabounds: The Max Factor
Interview by Deanne Pearson, Smash Hits, 24 July 1980
Deanne Pearson gives a compact account of Splodgenessabounds ...
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 ...
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'. ★ ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Tenpole Tudor: Let's Get Serious
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 26 November 1981
MIKE STAND DISCOVERS THE OTHER SIDE OF EDDIE TENPOLE ...
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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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." ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Interview by Mike Stand, Smash Hits, 26 June 1980
Mike Stand takes his 2HB and a C90 up the M6 to meet UB40 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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. ...
Report by David Hepworth, Smash Hits, 15 November 1979
David Hepworth goes on the road with THE UNDERTONES ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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?... ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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