Roxy Music (July 28 1973) – “What Gives with Roxy?” Cover Feature – New Musical Express

This New Musical Express front‑page feature from July 1973 spotlights Roxy Music under the headline “What Gives with Roxy?” The issue teases an inside news story exploring the band’s internal dynamics and creative direction at the height of their early success, reflecting the intrigue surrounding their avant‑garde image and experimental sound.

Publication: New Musical Express   Date: July 28 1973 Country: United Kingdom

THE STORY  

The cover presents a monochrome photograph of Roxy Music’s lineup — Bryan Ferry, Brian Eno, Andy Mackay, Phil Manzanera, and Paul Thompson — posed in their signature art‑rock style.

The bold headline “What Gives with Roxy?” suggests speculation about the band’s future, coinciding with growing rumours of tension between Ferry and Eno.

The accompanying text directs readers to the full feature inside, where NME examines the group’s evolving sound and visual identity following the release of For Your Pleasure earlier that year.

Surrounding articles on the front page include tour announcements for The Moody Blues, news of upcoming Rolling Stones concerts at Wembley, and a brief obituary for guitarist Clarence White of The Byrds. The layout typifies NME’s early‑1970s design — bold typography, dense columns, and a mix of breaking news and cultural commentary.

CONTEXT AND NOTES  

By mid‑1973, Roxy Music had become one of Britain’s most talked‑about bands, blending glam‑rock flamboyance with avant‑garde experimentation.

Their second album For Your Pleasure had solidified their reputation for innovation, while internal creative differences foreshadowed Brian Eno’s departure later that year.

This NME cover captures the moment when Roxy Music’s artistic tension was both a source of fascination and a driver of their unique sound. The issue also reflects the broader musical landscape of 1973 — a year dominated by glam, progressive rock, and the rise of theatrical performance in British pop

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