1970s Magazines

The Rise of Music Publications in the 1970s

The 1970s marked a significant expansion in music journalism. Established titles from the previous decade continued to thrive, including Melody Maker, NME and Rolling Stone. Alongside these, new publications emerged to meet growing demand from music fans eager to read about their favourite artists.

British readers gained access to Sounds, another weekly music paper that launched in 1970. Meanwhile, publications like Zigzag started life as fanzines before developing into professionally distributed magazines. This variety gave readers plenty of choice and created a competitive market for music writing.

Today, many of these publications can be picked up cheaply, though prices vary considerably depending on condition and what appears in a particular issue. Average copies hold more appeal for enthusiasts than as financial investments, but issues featuring landmark reviews or notable interviews can attract serious interest from collectors and music historians.

The Weekly Music Papers

Britain had several weekly music papers competing for readers during this period. Melody Maker, New Musical Express and Sounds all published throughout the decade. Disc and Music Echo also contributed to this competitive landscape until its merger with Record Mirror in 1972.

Each paper developed its own character and readership. Melody Maker became closely associated with progressive rock bands, giving extensive coverage to acts in that genre. NME threw its weight behind punk as the decade progressed, becoming a key voice for that movement. Writers like Nick Kent and Charles Shaar Murray built reputations that still resonate with collectors today.

These editorial positions mean that collectors often focus on specific papers depending on their musical interests. Someone researching the prog rock scene will find Melody Maker more useful, while punk enthusiasts will naturally gravitate towards NME from the mid to late 1970s. The political and social upheavals of the era also shaped coverage, with papers reflecting the tensions and energy of the times.

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Collecting Music Magazines Today

Building a collection of 1970s music publications is more accessible than many assume. Unlike some vintage items, music papers from this era appear regularly on the secondary market. The volume originally printed means copies still circulate.

Some collectors aim to gather complete runs of particular publications. Others search for specific issues featuring interviews, reviews or cover stories about bands they follow. Costs for either approach depend heavily on what you're after and the condition you'll accept.

Condition matters, as with most paper collectables. Issues with intact covers, minimal yellowing and no missing pages will fetch more than damaged copies. Storage also affects longevity, so collectors should keep issues away from direct sunlight and humidity.

For researchers, digital archives and occasional reprints offer alternatives to hunting down original copies, providing access to complete runs without the challenges of physical storage.

Where to Buy

eBay is a common source for 1970s music publications, though availability and shipping costs vary by location. Individual issues sometimes sell for very little, while others fetch more depending on content and condition. Bulk lots occasionally appear, offering multiple issues together.

Record fairs can be productive hunting grounds. Many dealers bring boxes of old music papers alongside their vinyl stock. Charity shops occasionally turn up copies, though this requires patience and regular visits.

Specialist dealers exist for those seeking particular items or better condition copies. Prices will typically be higher through these channels, but the selection may be more targeted and grading more reliable.

When buying online, check photographs carefully for condition issues and ask sellers about any defects not shown in listings. Combining orders or buying lots often reduces the impact of postage costs on single purchases.

For anyone interested in music history, these magazines offer something retrospective accounts cannot: the immediate response to artists and movements as they happened. That contemporary perspective shaped how we discuss music journalism today.