The History of Music Magazines

• The first ever music magazine was released by Billboard magazine in 1894. Their charts started however in the 1930's.

• June 1926, Melody maker was released along the honours list and the charts list of that time. In the 50's it came into competition with NME. It became more popular with the younger generation when it started to post about the latest artists.

• New Musical Express know as 'NME' was founded in 1952 and was the best selling British magazine in the 1970's.

• In 1967 the Rollin' Stone magazine was introduced. It was more about the culture of music than the facts.
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• In 1978, Smash Hits was released in a glossy cover designed for fans of pop.
• The Face was released in 1980, aimed for an older audience.
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• Vibe included gossip about a lot of artists, e.g. the story 'Rihanna exposed.' And is popular today as well as in 1993.

 

• In the present there are now all different magazines of all different genres to cater for all different audiences whether it's Kerrang for rock lovers or Opera magazine for classical fans.

Music magazines were used to inform different fans of different artists the news about them, now however they have become less popular because you can get this information via the internet. Magazines have also got a lot more colourful and visual to the reader. gradually over time magazines are made for specific types of genres rather than cater for all.