History of the music press. Alexandra Hobbs

1950 - 1960

Melody maker/ New music express, 1952 - The new music express was first published, when the magazine was first published its main content was music charts and the latest singles and new bands gig listings.

Melody makers has an intended target audience of musicians.

There was also a change in society because the press of music was becoming bigger and making the bands and artists more accessible to their fans and about them and there music.

1960 - Rolling stone was created by Jann Wenner
This magazine is based on music, liberal politics and popular culture. It is published every 2 weeks as has been since its first release in the 1960's





1970's
Saw the start of glam rock and then a short while after prog. Rock became more fashionable.
New music express changed its name to NME and style to adapt with the musical change that was happening at the time, to adapt to the punk vibe that was popular at the time.
In the mid 1970's NME started to write about serious issues that were happening in the world, the meaning behind bands and the songs they produced.
1978 - smash hits magazine was first published. New magazine for younger audiences as it focuses on colours, food, pop and lifestyle.

Early 1980's
Readers started to abandon NME as it became to obsessed with politics, The style had become more important than the content.
Independent companies began producing fanzines, which were magazines for the fans about the band and only the information they wanted, for example show dates new single release dates.
Style in pop was big hair and make up.