Smash Hits Magazine – 27 March–9 April 1996 – The Bluetones, Ant & Dec, Mark Owen

Original UK Smash Hits Magazine dated 27 March–9 April 1996, featuring British indie rock band The Bluetones on the front cover, alongside features on Mark Owen, Ant & Dec, Andi Peters, Pamela Anderson, Dubstar, Terrorvision and Jarvis Cocker.

This original 1996 issue captures a fascinating period in British pop music, when Britpop and alternative rock were enjoying considerable success alongside established television personalities, boybands and mainstream chart acts.

The magazine features colourful celebrity photography, interviews, pop music news, competitions, music reviews, reader correspondence and the distinctive humour associated with Smash Hits during the 1990s.

An appealing vintage collectible for fans of Britpop, British indie music, 1990s television and original Smash Hits publications.

Front Cover – The Bluetones

The front cover is dominated by a large colour group photograph of The Bluetones, the British alternative rock band from Hounslow.

All four members are pictured together against a dark blue background.

The central photograph prominently features frontman Mark Morriss, smiling directly towards the camera, with the other band members positioned around him.

The cover features the headline:

"Oi! Bluetones YES!"

Alongside the statement:

"Blimey, it's the best new band in Britain!"

The Bluetones were enjoying considerable attention during 1996, following the release of their debut album Expecting to Fly.

The issue provides an interesting contemporary record of the band's emergence during the height of the Britpop movement.

The Bluetones Feature – Page 14

The photographed contents page confirms a dedicated Bluetones feature beginning on page 14.

The article follows the band as they travel from Hounslow to Sheffield, discussing their increasing popularity and experiences performing live.

The contents describe the group as one of Britain's brightest new pop stars.

A photograph shows lead singer Mark Morriss performing onstage with a microphone.

This is a particularly interesting feature for collectors of The Bluetones, Mark Morriss and 1990s British indie rock.

Mark Owen – Page 18

Former Take That member Mark Owen receives a dedicated feature beginning on page 18.

The article dates from the period immediately following Take That's announcement that they were splitting up.

The photographed contents page shows Mark Owen wearing a black cropped top and making an exaggerated expression while holding papers.

The accompanying text promotes his appearance in the magazine's regular entertainment section.

This feature is particularly relevant to collectors of Take That memorabilia and Mark Owen's early post-Take That career.

Ant & Dec – Page 50

British television and music personalities Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, also known as Ant & Dec and formerly PJ & Duncan, feature prominently in this issue.

The contents page includes a large colour photograph of Ant, wearing a black top and holding pieces of paper.

The feature is titled:

"Ant and Dec"

Beginning on page 50, it follows the pair in a humorous domestic-themed article.

The contents describe Ant and Dec showing readers around their new flat, with references to hiding rubbish and unusual household arrangements.

The feature offers an entertaining glimpse into their careers during the period when they were transitioning from pop performers into established television personalities.

Andi Peters – Page 10

Popular British television presenter Andi Peters is featured in an exclusive interview.

The front cover advertises:

"Exclusive! Andi Peters – Farewell (sob!) to Live & Kicking..."

A large photograph shows Andi wearing a blue waistcoat and matching shorts over a red shirt, holding a television displaying his own face.

The contents page confirms that the feature begins on page 10.

The article discusses Andi's departure from the BBC children's television programme Live & Kicking and his television career.

This is a particularly interesting period feature for collectors of 1990s British children's television memorabilia.

Pamela Anderson – Page 20

American actress and model Pamela Anderson appears in a feature beginning on page 20.

The cover promotes her appearance with a humorous headline.

The contents page includes a photograph of Pamela wearing a white dress, pictured alongside a man in dark clothing.

The feature reflects her enormous international popularity during the mid-1990s, particularly through her appearances in Baywatch.

An interesting inclusion for collectors of 1990s celebrity and television magazines.

Terrorvision – Page 42

British rock band Terrorvision feature in an article beginning on page 42.

The contents page includes a colour photograph of band members dressed in casual jackets.

The accompanying description explains that the magazine meets the group during a break from their touring activities.

The article discusses their music and experiences on the road.

Terrorvision were an important part of the British alternative rock scene during the 1990s, making this feature particularly appealing to fans of the band.

Jarvis Cocker and Pulp

The magazine's opening pages include references to Jarvis Cocker, lead singer of Pulp.

The editor's introduction discusses Jarvis following the publicity surrounding his appearance at the 1996 BRIT Awards.

The contents also reference him in the magazine's regular celebrity news section.

This material captures the considerable attention surrounding Jarvis Cocker and Pulp during one of the most memorable periods of the Britpop era.

Dubstar – Original Songword Section

One of the photographed interior pages shows the opening of the magazine's Smash Hits Songwords section.

The page features British alternative pop band Dubstar, with a large colour portrait of lead singer Sarah Blackwood.

She is photographed with short blonde hair, wearing a black-and-white outfit and looking directly towards the camera.

The headline reads:

"Dubstar – The Sky's The Limit!"

The page promotes the lyrics to the band's song Stars.

Other Songs Advertised

The photographed songword page lists:

• Ocean Colour Scene – You've Got It Bad

• Upside Down – Everytime I Fall in Love

• Dubstar – Stars

• Baby D – Take Me to Heaven

• Wet Wet Wet – Morning

• Cast – Walkaway

• Pulp – Something Changed

• In Dilemma – I Am a Free Spirit

The songword section is an interesting example of the music that was popular in Britain during spring 1996.

The opening songword page is visibly present, although the complete section has not been checked page by page.

Advertised Posters

The original contents page advertises several posters featuring popular musicians and celebrities.

The advertised subjects include:

Janet Jackson

American singer Janet Jackson, one of the most successful pop and R&B performers of the period.

Dear Cain

A poster advertised under the name Dear Cain, as printed in the contents.

Pamela Anderson

A poster featuring actress and model Pamela Anderson, known internationally for Baywatch.

Dubstar

A poster featuring British alternative pop group Dubstar, associated with their 1990s hits Stars and Not So Manic Now.

Terrorvision

A poster featuring British alternative rock band Terrorvision.

Important: These posters are advertised in the magazine's contents. The supplied photographs do not individually show or confirm that all of the original posters remain attached or complete. Buyers should not assume that every advertised poster is included.

Additional Magazine Features and Contents

What's The Story? – Page 4

The magazine's regular pop and celebrity news section.

The contents advertise stories involving Björk, Jarvis Cocker, the BRIT Awards, television personalities and other entertainment news.

Free Stuff – Easter Special – Page 22

An Easter-themed competition section offering various celebrity-related prizes.

The photographed contents page advertises signed Easter eggs and other promotional items associated with contemporary entertainers.

Fanbase – Page 24

The regular reader and fan information section.

This issue includes references to Boyzone and their activities in Dublin, alongside fan correspondence and entertainment news.

Horoscopes – Page 46

The magazine's regular astrology feature.

Letters – Page 52

Reader correspondence, opinions and questions.

Reviews – Page 56

Contemporary music and entertainment reviews, including new releases.

Can You Handle It? – Page 63

The magazine's regular celebrity question-and-answer feature.

The contents advertise an appearance by Bev from the television programme Brookside.

Competitions and Promotional Features

The photographed magazine advertises several competitions and giveaways.

These include:

• A competition to win signed football boots associated with Ryan Giggs.

• Easter-themed promotional prizes.

• Celebrity-related competitions.

• Music and entertainment giveaways.

• A promotional feature involving Mariah Carey.

The original front cover prominently advertises a competition to win ten pairs of signed Ryan Giggs football boots.

All original competitions have expired and no prizes are included with this sale.

Historical and Collector Interest

This issue is particularly representative of British popular culture during the spring of 1996.

The Bluetones were enjoying major success as part of the Britpop movement, while other British bands including Pulp, Terrorvision and Dubstar were attracting considerable attention.

The magazine also documents Mark Owen's early career following Take That's split, alongside the developing television careers of Ant & Dec.

The inclusion of Andi Peters and his departure from Live & Kicking adds another interesting connection to 1990s British television history.

The issue combines music journalism, celebrity interviews, humour, photographs and reader participation in the distinctive editorial style that made Smash Hits popular throughout the decade.

Particularly suitable for collectors of:

• Original 1990s Smash Hits magazines

• The Bluetones and Mark Morriss

• Britpop and British indie music

• Take That and Mark Owen

• Ant & Dec / PJ & Duncan

• Andi Peters and Live & Kicking

• Pamela Anderson

• Dubstar and Sarah Blackwood

• Terrorvision

• Vintage British pop culture memorabilia

Condition – Important Information

Condition: Pre-owned vintage magazine showing noticeable signs of age, previous handling and storage.

The supplied photographs show the actual magazine being offered.

Front Cover

The front cover retains its distinctive blue, white, yellow and red design.

The main photograph of The Bluetones remains clearly visible, and the printed headlines are readable.

However, several imperfections can be seen:

• Noticeable rubbing and wear along the left-hand spine.

• Small areas of scuffing and surface abrasion.

• Creasing and stress marks near the spine.

• Wear around the lower-left corner.

• Small bends and creases along the bottom edge.

• Light wear around the upper corners.

• Minor surface marks and handling scratches.

• Slight curvature and unevenness from previous handling.

• Small areas of age-related discolouration and general wear.

The lower-left corner and spine edge show more noticeable wear than the central cover area.

Spine and Binding

The spine shows visible signs of repeated opening and handling.

There is rubbing along the fold, with small stress marks and areas of edge wear.

The photographed pages appear attached at the binding, although the complete magazine has not been individually inspected.

Interior Pages

The photographed interior pages retain bright colours and readable text.

Some light curling, bending and handling wear can be seen, particularly around the page edges and central folds.

The contents pages and photographed songword section remain clearly legible.

No extensive damage is evident in the photographed interior pages, although unphotographed pages have not been individually assessed.

Overall Condition

Fair to good vintage condition, with visible spine wear, minor cover creasing, edge rubbing, surface marks and general age-related handling imperfections.

This is not a mint or unread example.

Please inspect all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Original Free Gifts and Promotional Items

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

The original songword section is visibly present at least in part.

The completeness of any advertised poster selection or other detachable material 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: 27 March–9 April 1996
Original UK Cover Price: 90p
Publication Frequency: Fortnightly
Main Cover Stars: The Bluetones
Other Featured Personalities: Mark Owen, Ant & Dec, Andi Peters, Pamela Anderson, Jarvis Cocker, Dubstar and Terrorvision
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Language: English
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 examine all supplied photographs carefully, as they form part of the description and show the actual magazine you will receive.