TODAY MARKS A SAD DAY FOR MUSIC PUBLICATION, AS THE WEEKLY NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS MAGAZINE CLOSES IT’S DOORS

The paper was established in 1952 after London music promoter Maurice Kinn bought the “Accordion Times and Musical Express” for just £1,000, 15 minutes before it was due to officially close. It was soon relaunched as the New Musical Express and printed on a non-glossy, standard newsprint format. The NME took inspiration from US magazine Billboard and launched the first UK Singles Chart.

During the 1960’s, the NME went on to champion popular British bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. By the 1970’s, the magazine was struggling against it’s primary competition, The Melody Maker. They were forced to adapt quickly or close. Underground writers were hired and a more serious coverage of music was added, alongside the rise of glam-rock and then punk. This succeeded, returning the NME to the top spot in UK music journalism, where it remained for the 80’s and 90’s.

From 1998, the format was changed to a glossy tabloid print, in full colour. It remained in this format until 2015, when it was announced the publication would become free. The magazine was applauded for this decision, receiving awards in 2016, with statements claiming the NME had “bounced back from an uncertain future and established itself confidently and creatively in a new market.” Sadly, it appears this didn’t last as the magazine announces it’s permanent closure today, claiming the print was no longer financially viable. NME will continue publishing material online, and is reportedly investigating new possibilities and potential new digital services.

Ritchie Yorke himself contributed a number of features to the NME throughout his career, including responses to major moments in music history, like the Kent State shootings and the rise of Led Zeppelin.