David Bowie (May 17, 1979) Smash Hits Cover

Publication: Smash Hits

Date: May 17–31, 1979

Format: Magazine Cover + Feature

A bright, confident cover featuring David Bowie with tousled blonde hair, capturing the fresh energy of his late-1970s pop phase and promoting an in-depth interview.A bright, confident close-up of David Bowie with tousled blonde hair and a slight smile lights up the cover of Smash Hits, capturing the fresh, approachable energy of his late-1970s pop phase.

The bold pink-and-white “SMASH HITS” masthead paired with the simple “DAVID BOWIE” headline promises fans an intimate look at the star.

SOURCE DETAILS

Publication: Smash Hits

Date: May 17–31, 1979

Country: United Kingdom

Section / Pages: Front Cover

CONTEXT AND NOTES

Published in the lead-up to the release of Lodger, this Smash Hits cover reflects Bowie’s strong presence in British teen pop media. The magazine’s accessible style, mixing interviews, lyrics, and gossip, helped introduce or reintroduce Bowie to a younger audience during a key transitional period in his career.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: David Bowie cover and interview feature

Era: 1979 – Lodger / late Berlin period

Tone: Fresh, colourful and youthful

Photography: Close-up colour portrait of David Bowie

Audience: UK teen pop magazine readers

THE STORY

This issue features an in-depth interview with David Bowie discussing his recent work, the creation of “Boys Keep Swinging”, his thoughts on fame, music, and the industry. The cover perfectly captures Bowie’s fresh, approachable energy during his late-1970s pop phase as he moved toward mainstream success.

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

A glossy, vibrant Smash Hits cover dominated by a smiling close-up of David Bowie. The bold pink-and-white masthead and simple “DAVID BOWIE” headline promise fans an intimate look at the star, typical of the magazine’s fun, accessible late-1970s design.

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