The Bynx collection takes you back to 1960’s thru the Mid-Eighties.
A long time ago, in a galaxy where the Internet didn’t exist, there were music magazines. Gossip, interviews, album reviews, edgy photographs… these magazines weren’t mere tabloids, they were sacred tomes for music fans. They were so often the only place one could get news of their favorite artists or learn about the latest music sensation.
Then came the Internet. Most music magazines either fell to the wayside or swapped the shop racks for .coms. In a few cases, some managed to do both (ahem, Rolling Stone). Nowadays most music magazines are relics of a not-so-distant past. Although their intrigue might now be nostalgia instead of news, they’re fascinating nonetheless.
The Music Magazine Craze
The Beatles changed the world. Ok, we all know it, but what does that really mean? Well, music magazines can certainly be one indicator of the Fab Four’s impact. It’s not that they didn’t exist before, but Beatlemania changed what it meant to be a “fan.” Bands and musicians became larger than life.
Foretelling today’s world, the public suddenly wanted to know everything, wanted to get as close to the music (and musicians) as possible. The music magazines helped dictate fashion trends, music and art tastes and even political beliefs. They were a force to be reckoned with — and before anyone knew it, new publications constantly appeared on the scene.
Stocking The Shelves With Music Mania
Magazines like Rave and New Musical Express began to highlight rock and pop culture, while Rolling Stone did the same with an emphasis on bold journalism (think Hunter S Thompson). Then there were Melody Maker, ZigZag, Mojo Navigator, Maximum Rock ‘n Roll, Creem and Dark Star — all favorites of ours here at Bynx. Oh, and we can’t forget the Beatles Monthly Book, a gem that ran for 77 issues from 1963 to 1969. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Our last post discussed the magazine Punk, a great magazine that documented the late 70s movement of the same name. It’s just one such example of music magazines being such an important part of music culture. There are countless other examples — like the underground, hand-stapled fanzines or less-circulated magazines like New York Rocker.
Curating Yesterday’s Treasures
Magazines may (or may not) be a thing of the past, but that’s exactly why it’s surreal to hold these old items in your hands. Any music fan can appreciate the history they entail. As big fans ourselves, we continue to curate a diverse, quality selection of publications that tell music’s incredible story.
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