Smash Hits Magazine – 22 May–4 June 1996 – Ash, Mark Morrison, Madonna, Oasis & Boyzone

Original UK Smash Hits Magazine dated 22 May–4 June 1996, featuring Northern Irish rock band Ash on the front cover, alongside a prominent Mark Morrison feature and coverage of Madonna, Oasis, Boyzone, John Alford, Gloria Estefan, Peter Andre, Celine Dion, Black Grape and other major entertainment personalities.

This original fortnightly music magazine captures British pop culture during the height of the 1990s Britpop era, combining interviews, celebrity photographs, pop and rock features, chart reviews, song lyrics, competitions and reader sections.

Particularly appealing to collectors of Ash, 1990s alternative rock, Britpop and original Smash Hits magazines.

Front Cover – Ash

The front cover prominently features Ash, the Northern Irish alternative rock band consisting of Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray.

All three members appear together in a large colour photograph.

The band are pictured smiling, wearing casual mid-1990s clothing, with a colourful illuminated background suggesting the atmosphere of their Japanese visit.

The main cover headline reads:

"Look Out Japan! It's... ASH"

The accompanying headline promotes the band's Japanese tour.

This is a particularly interesting contemporary Ash cover from 1996, the year of their breakthrough album 1977.

Ash – Page 14

The contents page confirms a three-page feature following the band during their visit to Japan.

The article is promoted as an exclusive account of the three band members' experiences.

The photographed contents page includes an additional image of a band member wearing sunglasses.

This is an appealing period feature for collectors of Ash, Northern Irish alternative rock and 1990s British music publications.

Mark Morrison – Main Cover Feature

The lower section of the front cover prominently features Mark Morrison, the British R&B singer associated with the 1996 hit Return of the Mack.

He is photographed wearing dark sunglasses, a dark jumper and a large gold-coloured chain.

The cover advertises a feature about Morrison returning to his former school.

Mark Morrison – Page 12

The contents page confirms an article in which Morrison returns to his old school.

The feature is presented with the magazine's characteristic humorous editorial style.

This is an interesting contemporary feature from the period of Morrison's major chart success.

Other Featured Artists and Magazine Contents

John Alford – Page 20

British actor and singer John Alford receives a dedicated feature.

The contents describe a humorous article involving Alford and radio DJ Freshy D.

John Alford was a familiar British television and music personality during the 1990s.

Ronan Keating – Page 22

A feature involving Ronan Keating of Boyzone.

The contents advertise an interview discussing relationships, dating and his music career.

This is an interesting inclusion for Boyzone collectors and fans of 1990s Irish pop music.

Dodgy – Page 25

British alternative rock band Dodgy receive a feature.

The contents promote an article involving the band and their music.

An appealing addition for collectors of Britpop and British indie-rock memorabilia.

Peter Andre – Page 40

Australian singer Peter Andre receives a feature.

The contents describe an interview discussing his public image and entertainment career.

The article comes from the period when Peter Andre was becoming increasingly prominent in the British pop charts.

Madonna – Page 46

International pop star Madonna receives a dedicated feature.

The contents advertise an article discussing preparations for her forthcoming role as a mother.

A large colour photograph on the contents page shows Madonna wearing a blue top and holding her stomach.

This feature captures an important period in Madonna's personal life and international career.

Oasis

Oasis are advertised across the top of the front cover.

The photographed contents also include a preview of a fan-related section featuring Oasis imagery and references to their live performances.

The issue is particularly relevant to collectors interested in the mid-1990s Britpop era.

Black Grape

The magazine includes coverage of Black Grape, featuring Shaun Ryder.

The front cover promotes a humorous story involving Shaun Ryder, while the photographed songword section features a large photograph of him wearing sunglasses and a white T-shirt.

Celine Dion

Celine Dion is advertised on the front cover and appears in the singles-review listings.

Gloria Estefan

Gloria Estefan is advertised across the top of the cover and appears in the songword section.

Original Eight-Page Smash Hits Songword Pull-Out

An eight-page songword section is advertised in the contents and its opening page is clearly visible in the photographs.

The photographed page features a large colour image of Shaun Ryder from Black Grape, wearing sunglasses and a light-coloured T-shirt.

The heading reads:

"Smash Hits 8-Page Songword Pull-Out"

The printed feature includes song titles and artists from the period.

Featured Songs

Black Grape – Fat Neck

A track associated with Shaun Ryder's post-Happy Mondays band.

Peter Andre featuring Bubbler Ranx – Mysterious Girl

One of Peter Andre's best-known pop singles.

Gloria Estefan – Reach

A 1996 single by the internationally successful singer.

Lighthouse Family – Ocean Drive

A popular track from the British soul-pop duo.

John Alford – Blue Moon

A recording by British actor and singer John Alford.

Ocean Colour Scene – The Day We Caught the Train

A well-known Britpop-era track.

The songword section is a particularly interesting feature for collectors of original 1990s printed lyrics and contemporary music publications.

The opening songword page is visibly present and attached. The complete eight-page section has not been individually checked for completeness.

Advertised Celebrity Posters

The contents page includes a dedicated poster section with printed previews of several featured personalities.

Alanis Morissette

A colour portrait of Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette is advertised.

The preview shows her smiling, with dark shoulder-length hair and a yellow-toned outfit.

The contents identify this feature as appearing on page 35.

Sean Maguire

A black-and-white promotional photograph of British singer and actor Sean Maguire is advertised on page 39.

The preview shows him in a dark outfit, photographed in an urban-style setting.

Men Behaving Badly

The contents advertise a poster featuring the British television sitcom Men Behaving Badly.

The preview shows two male characters posing together, one wearing a checked shirt and the other wearing a darker jacket.

The poster is identified with page 37.

Important: These posters are advertised and illustrated in the photographed contents page. Their complete original pages have not been individually verified, so completeness cannot be guaranteed.

Additional Magazine Features

Page 4 – What's the Story?

Six pages of entertainment news and celebrity stories.

The contents mention Mark Owen, Nigel from EastEnders, James Damon and other contemporary personalities.

Page 42 – Fanbase

Three pages of fan information, including:

• Phone The Stars

• Fan Club Addresses

• Search Out The Stars

• Buy It Or Bin It?

• Dear Helen

The photographed preview includes colourful Oasis-related material.

Page 48 – Mystic Mag

The magazine's horoscope and astrology section.

Page 50 – Letters

Reader correspondence, quizzes and celebrity-related discussions.

Page 60 – The Biscuit Tin

A humorous entertainment feature involving Jack Duckworth, the popular Coronation Street character.

The front cover also advertises this feature.

Page 63 – Can You Handle It?

A regular reader challenge involving Celine Dion.

Music and Film Reviews

The magazine includes contemporary singles, albums and film reviews.

Singles – Page 52

The contents advertise reviews featuring:

Black Grape, Rolf Harris, Darren Day, Louise, Celine Dion and other artists.

Albums – Page 55

Album reviews include:

Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals and Euro 96-related releases.

Films – Page 59

The magazine advertises reviews of:

• Money Train

• Vampire in Brooklyn

• GoldenEye

• To Wong Foo

• Crimson Tide

These sections provide an interesting snapshot of entertainment releases during the spring and summer of 1996.

Competitions and Promotional Features

The magazine includes several original competitions.

Page 18 – Free Stuff Star Special

A selection of celebrity-related promotional items, including George Michael and other music personalities.

Page 26 – Dodgy Competition

A competition involving the band Dodgy and an opportunity to meet the group.

Page 40 – Video Competition

A competition involving a television and video prize.

Page 50 – Dr Pepper Competition

A promotional giveaway featuring Dr Pepper merchandise.

All original competitions and offers have expired.

Historical and Collector Interest

This issue is an excellent example of British pop-magazine publishing during 1996.

The magazine combines the emerging popularity of Ash with major contemporary artists such as Madonna, Oasis, Boyzone, Mark Morrison, Black Grape and Peter Andre.

The distinctive cover uses large red and white Smash Hits lettering, bold yellow headlines, colourful photography and Japanese-inspired lettering to promote Ash's tour.

Inside, the magazine features the familiar Smash Hits combination of celebrity interviews, informal humour, fan correspondence, music reviews and printed song lyrics.

The contents also include a letter from editor Gavin Reeve, reflecting the magazine's lively editorial style.

The original UK cover price of 90p remains visible.

This issue is particularly relevant to collectors interested in the development of Britpop, alternative rock and mainstream British pop culture during the mid-1990s.

Condition – Important Information

Condition: Pre-owned vintage magazine with visible age-related wear and signs of previous handling.

The photographs show the actual magazine being offered.

Front Cover

• The front cover retains strong colour and clearly readable text.

• The main Ash photograph remains prominently displayed.

• There is visible rubbing and wear along the left-hand spine.

• The top-left corner shows minor wear and slight bending.

• The bottom-left corner shows noticeable rubbing and scuffing.

• The bottom edge has minor handling wear.

• Light surface scratches and marks are visible.

• The cover shows some natural curvature and slight handling creases.

• Minor age-related discolouration is present.

Spine and Binding

The spine shows evidence of previous handling.

There is some visible wear along the fold, including rubbing and small areas of stress.

The photographed interior pages remain attached at the visible binding.

The magazine has been opened and read previously and should not be considered an unread or mint example.

Interior Pages

• The photographed pages retain clear printing and strong colours.

• Some pages show slight curling and bending from handling.

• Light edge wear is visible.

• The contents pages remain readable.

• The photographed songword section is present.

• Minor surface marks and age-related wear may be present.

• The magazine has not been individually checked page by page.

Overall Condition

Generally good used vintage condition for its age, with visible spine wear, corner wear and minor handling marks.

Not mint or pristine.

Please inspect all supplied photographs carefully, particularly the cover edges, spine and photographed interior pages.

Original Free Gifts and Promotional Items

Any original loose free gifts, separate promotional items, detachable supplements, competition materials or other extras that originally accompanied the magazine are no longer included unless clearly shown in the photographs.

The photographed songword section remains present at least in part.

The complete original poster selection has not been individually verified.

The sale is for the original magazine and the printed material remaining within it, as photographed.

Publication Details

Magazine: Smash Hits
Issue Date: 22 May–4 June 1996
Original UK Cover Price: 90p
Publication Frequency: Fortnightly
Main Cover Stars: Ash
Other Featured Artists: Mark Morrison, Madonna, Oasis, Boyzone, Black Grape, Peter Andre, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, John Alford, Dodgy and others
Language: English
Country: United Kingdom
Format: Original printed music magazine
Condition: Pre-owned
SKU: 1570

Packaging and Delivery

UK Orders: The magazine will be carefully packaged and sent in a protective hardback envelope to help minimise bending and damage during transit.

International Orders: The magazine will be carefully packaged in a sturdy cardboard mailing-size box for additional protection during international delivery.

Please study all supplied photographs carefully, as they form part of the description and show the actual magazine you will receive.