Smash Hits has closed. The last issue is out on February 13.
Smash Hits was the first pop magazine I ever bought and the 1988 Smash Hits Pollwinners Party was my first ever pop concert. After the show I touched Donny Osmond's hand through a car window. (He was the one in the car.)
When I was fifteen, Smash Hits gave me one week's work experience. The Editor showed me how to fold a banknote so that it looked like the Queen was giving head and they let me review an Eddie Murphy album, which I awarded 4/5.
Later on I got the chance to write for the magazine in exchange for cash. I think it's fair to say that my two cover features — interviews with A1 and One True Voice — will be the ones for which the magazine is remembered in years to come.
Popjustice wouldn't ever have existed without Smash Hits and if you've never seen one of the late 1980s issues then eBay is awash with people who'll live to regret clearing out their lofts.
For once, The Dumper's gain is everyone's loss…
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