NME 1970-90

Pictures, ads, snippets from the NME (and other music weeklies, now and then) between 1970 and 1990

[Sounds Clips @SoundsClips]

An article on the start up of Stiff Records by Chas De Whalley in Sounds, August 14th, 1976. @StiffRecords @adbreakanthems

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

NME 10th of September 1983. An eclectic array of artists. Virginia Astley, cover star. She made some wonderful records around that time: check out the LP ‘From Gardens Where We Feel Secure’ and the ‘Melt The Snow’ EP.

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

The Clash start to fall apart: Strummer defenestrates Jones. Not his best ever idea. NME 10/9/83

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

Imagine ‘Karma Chameleon’ being a new record that you’d never heard! Single of the week review by Danny Baker aka @prodnose NME 10/9/83

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

Sign of the times: long interview with Billy Mackenzie. The Associates made some of the most unlikely records ever to go Top Ten. Amazing stuff. He paid the price though. NME 10/9/83

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

One for XTC fans - Virgin not knowing how to market ‘Mummer’. NME 10/9/83

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

‘The Smiths supported by The Go Betweens? Three quid to you, Squire’.

The Venue was Richard Branson’s foray into live music; I saw The Durutti Column and, oddly, Ian Matthews there, later on. NME 10/9/83

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

Ad for Elvis Costello’s ‘Let Them All Talk’ from ‘Punch The Clock’: the b-side ‘The Flirting Kind’ is one of my favourite EC tunes and was heard in an episode of ‘Coronation Street’ (on the radio on Jack and Vera’s house) not long after this! NME 10/9/83

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

Interview with @chrisdifford and @glenntilbrook about their then immediately post-@Squeezeofficial plans NME 10/9/83

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

NME singles and albums chart 10/9/83

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

NME 20th of January 1979. Middle of the ‘winter of discontent’. YMCA at no.1, Leeds’ own Gang Of Four were cover stars!

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

Some Ads: era defining classic makes its debut 1/3
20/1/79

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

Some Ads 2/3: Much coveted Japanese live album from Bob; this was a must have even among we callow youths!

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

Some Ads 3/3: Absolute classic single from Wire, still one of my favourites. White vinyl!

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

Yes, the actual Jacksons, with the actual Michael, touring the UK in Feb 1979, best seats still available in mid January, fiver to you squire. Halifax! NME 20/1/79

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

NME 1978 Readers Poll 1

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

NME 1978 Readers Poll 2

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

NME 1978 Readers Poll 3

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

The Gang of Four hit me with their angular rhythm stick at just the right time. Music and ideas like I’d never imagined. They were so great! If you haven’t heard them (and frankly if you’re here you probably have) have a listen. 20/1/79

[NME 1970-90 @NME708090]

Indulge me: this gig was the first time I saw Elvis Costello and The Attractions, a force of nature at that time. Everywhere was snowbound (we walked home as there were no taxis) but the gig was totally packed out. A really special one! 20/1/79