RIP: Smash Hits -- and Neil Tennant's Chest Wig !

[neilsblueeyes]

Thanks for the articles. Though I haven't read it for some years, I was quite shocked to hear the news. My username was inspired by the SH letters page - if I'd actually written in, it's quite probably what I'd have chosen! I count myself pretty lucky that the two bands I most adored at that time are still going strong, and mean as much, if not more, to me than ever (A-ha being the other). I read it regularly from the very end of 1986 to the mid-90s. Not sure I realised exactly how good it was - but thank goodness for Popjustice, not to mention Literally now, at least.

[Dipso]

Wanna see his photos???

Is that David Hepworth? Aah!

[Elena R]

Someone recorded it on dvd or cdvideo ?

[Dipso]

*Titters* Ancient Neil photos alert! (By that I mean ancient photos - not photos of Neil looking ancient...)

http://welovesmashhits.blogspot.com/

[psb-freak]

No new pics for me ?

[Naughty Zoot]

Dipso, you're the best! The PSB pix & the cover are all things I've never seen before.
A million Thanks

[Dipso]

Popbitch has a few Smash Hits memories up its sleeve this week:

>> Remembering Smash Hits <<
The originals speak out

Neil Tennant writes:
"I mostly remember playing Bobby 'O' 12" imports,
bought on expenses, on the office stereo while
phoning Bonnie Tyler to do a Personal File with
her. "Does your mother play golf?" etc.

Dave Hepworth writes:
"We got to know Neil Tennant because he edited
the Dairy Book Of Home management and the
Betty Foster Dressmaking Course, both of which
were designed by Steve Bush, the Smash Hits
art director."

Mark Ellen writes:
"Neil T and Ian Birch invented fantasy groups
starring all the members of the office in
various combinations. One was called 'The
Saturday Girls', a sort of Bananarama-type
all-girl trio. Weirdly a lot of groups
ended up looking rather like them in real life."

Simon Mills writes:
"We ran a competition to give away a tall
beanie hat with the Tommy Boy break-dancers
logo on it. Since Smash Hits wasn't big
with the hip-hop crowd we only got one
competition entrant. It was Green Gartside,
singer with Scritti Politti. He won, of course."


(FYI: It was Neil Tennant who coined the phrase
"Sir William Idol, our Greatest Living Englishman".
He nicked it from Auberon Waugh. Almost.)


-----------------------------------------------------
The only Smash Hits editor ever to get fired
was Kate Thornton.
-----------------------------------------------------

[One of the crowd]

And has Neil left a message on the Smash Hits Forever website? (Or and imposter?)

Neil Tennant
I loved working at Smash Hits all those years ago. Amazing to see how much people care. WIll Boy George ever forgive me for my review of Culture Club at Heaven in 1982? (Probably not.)
10 February 2006

http://www.smashhitsforever.com/

[Dipso]

And has Neil left a message on the Smash Hits Forever website? (Or and imposter?)

Neil Tennant
I loved working at Smash Hits all those years ago. Amazing to see how much people care. WIll Boy George ever forgive me for my review of Culture Club at Heaven in 1982? (Probably not.)
10 February 2006

http://www.smashhitsforever.com/

Ooh, rather interesting. It does sound like Neil in tone. I would imagine that a fake Neil would write something a bit more elaborate?

[Pani]

He could also have written 'Will Depeche Mode ever for-
give me for my comments on 'Blasphemous Rumours' ?'
which is mentioned in the DM biography by Steve Malins.