Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning: https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about Britain’s top pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode, Gav and Si are joined by writer, broadcaster and former Smash Hits staffer, Miranda Sawyer , as the carousel spins back to the changing music scene of June 1990. Along the way we encounter The Stone Roses, MC Tunes, Roxette, Madonna, Sonia and Big Fun and a whole lot more. Read along with us thanks to ...
Feb 11, 2025•2 hr 9 min•Ep. 36
Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning: https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about Britain’s top pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode, Gav and Si are joined by co-host of film podcast Don't You Want Me?, Catrin Lowe, for a spin on the carousel back to July 1995 and take in Vic & Bob, Jarvis Cocker, East 17, MN8, Ultimate Kaos, Blur, The Boo Radleys and a whole lot more besides! Read along with us thanks to Smash Hits Remembered . And...
Dec 06, 2024•2 hr 29 min•Ep. 35
Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning: https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. Fancy that! In this episode, Gav and Si are joined by music journalist and author of '1984: The Year Pop Went Queer' (Nine Eight Books), Ian Wade, for a spin on the carousel back to February 1987 and an issue edited by former Smash Hits staffer Neil Tennant. Along the way, we discuss Boy George, Carly Simon, Mental ...
Aug 27, 2024•2 hr 37 min
Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning: https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the elegant pop tome, Smash Hits. In this episode, Gav and Si are joined by fellow pop kid Jeni Brennan as the carousel spins back to June 1988. Under discussion are: Boy George, Mandy Smith, Debbie Gibson, Tiffany, Hothouse Flowers, Bros, Scritti Politti, Aswad and many more. Read along with us. Like Punk Never Happened: https://likepunkneverhappened.blog...
Jun 19, 2024•2 hr
Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning: https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this episode, Gav and Si are joined by pop critic, author, DJ and Chart Music podcast regular, Simon Price. The carousel spins us back to October 1979, Simon's very first issue, and inside we discover punk, mod, disco and a whole lot more! We also discuss Simon's recent book on The Cure, Curepedia. This episode is dedicated to the great Neil Kulkarni. Read Simon's tribute t...
Mar 04, 2024•2 hr 23 min
Welcome to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this episode, we take a trip to the Carousel's reading room to talk to find out all about Phew, Eh Readers? , a new book collecting selected works of Smash Hits and Q scribe Tom Hibbert, with the book's co-editor Jasper Murison-Bowie and designer (and former Smash Hits staffer) Caroline Grimshaw. We also hear from Hibbert's Smash Hits colleagues Barry McIlhenney, Sylvia Patterson* and Mark Ellen who share their memories of working with him. Here's the boo...
Feb 02, 2024•51 min
Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning: https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. Award-winning journalist, author and Smash Hits legend Chris Heath (Details, Rolling Stone, GQ, Pet Shop Boys, Robbie Williams) joins us on the carousel as it spins back to March 1987. Chris gives us a taste of life at Ver Hits as he visits Boy George at home, goes on the road with the Beastie Boys, chats to Men...
Dec 22, 2023•2 hr 5 min
Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning: https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode we go back to December 1982 with musician Miki Berenyi (Lush, Piroshka) for a slice of life as a true pop kid! Along the way we discuss Tears For Fears, Madness, Culture Club, the results of the 1982 Smash Hits poll and a whole lot more! New York looms large throughout, but did Miki ever own a pa...
Oct 27, 2023•2 hr 7 min
Simon and Gavin pop up for a quick spin on the carousel to share some exciting news! Listen and all will be revealed... Then get down to your nearest newsagent on Sunday 6th August! We'll be back with a full episode in the autumn. CONTACT DETAILS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/GiddyPopPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiddyPopPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giddypoppod/ Website: https://giddypoppod.home.blog/ Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Hosted on Acast. See acast....
Aug 04, 2023•5 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode we go back to August 1982 with Gav's old school mate Sue Humphreys. The cover star is John Taylor, and inside the mag are features on Duran Duran, The Stranglers and Sting, with the usual Bitz, RSVP, singles reviews and lyrics. Read along with us. Like Punk Never Happened: https://likepunkneverhappened.blogspot.com/2012/08/august-19-september-1-1982.html Smash Hits Remembered: ...
Jun 08, 2023•2 hr
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode we are joined by popular culture and sport writer Nige Tassell as we spin the carousel back October 1981. The cover stars are The Fun Boy Three and inside the mag are Julian Cope, Japan, Girls At Our Best and a whole lot more, alongside the usual Bitz, RSVP, singles reviews and lyrics. Read along with us. Like Punk Never Happened: https://likepunkneverhappened.blogspot.com/2011...
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 52 min
Welcome to The Giddy Carousel of Pop's Christmas Bonus! A little episode to round up/round off the year, as Simon and Gavin pick out some of their fave podcasts, books and music-related films and tv of the last 12 months. Plus a shoutout to recent Ko-Fi supporters. We'll be back for a full ride on the carousel in 2023. Until then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! CONTACT DETAILS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/GiddyPopPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiddyPopPod Instagram: https://www.i...
Dec 12, 2022•45 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode we are joined by our American podcast cousins, Brian and Sarah from Permanent Record Podcast - https://www.permanentrecordpodcast.com/ - as the carousel spins us back to August 1986. And there's much to discuss! The cover stars are The Human League. Also featured are Doctor & The Medics, Paul McCartney, Killing Joke, Tina Turner, Katrina & The Waves, Spandau Ballet, Sig...
Nov 08, 2022•2 hr 40 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode we are joined by musician Helen O'Hara (Dexys, Tanita Tikaram, Tim Burgess) for a spin back to December 1982, when Helen, as part of Dexys, was literally riding high on the giddy carousel of pop (sometimes a little too giddy). Artists discussed include Dexy's Midnight Runners, Yazoo, Abba, Whitesnake, Shalamar, Julian Cope and many more. Former Smash Hits editor Mark Ellen also...
Aug 19, 2022•2 hr 30 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the 'so called' pop mag Smash Hits. In this episode we are joined by voiceover, writer, composer and podcaster Emma Clarke, as we spin back to May 1982 for the confessions of a pre-teen pop fan. Artists discussed include Associates, Toyah, Adam Ant, Echo & The Bunnymen and many more. Read along with us. Like Punk Never Happened: https://likepunkneverhappened.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-27-june-9-1982.html Smash Hits Remembered: https://...
Jun 29, 2022•1 hr 48 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the 'so called' pop mag Smash Hits. In this episode we are joined by PR guru and musician Julian Henry joins us on the carousel as we spin back to January 1989. Julian gives us a little peep behind the pop curtain as we discuss Holly Johnson, Then Jericho, Brother Beyond, Milli Vanilli, Climie Fisher, Neneh Cherry and a whole lot more. Read along with us. Like Punk Never Happened: https://likepunkneverhappened.blogspot.com/2019/01/januar...
Apr 29, 2022•1 hr 55 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride. In this episode we are joined by author/illustrator and former Smash Hits staffer Nadia Shireen on the carousel as we spin back to September 1988. Under discussion are Pet Shop Boys, Glenn Medeiros, the Smash Hits Readers' Poll, The Pasadenas, Bros and a whole lot more. Read along with us. Like Punk Never Happened: https://likepunkneverhappened.blogspot.com/2018/09/september-7-20-1988.html Smash Hits Remembered: https:/...
Feb 25, 2022•1 hr 42 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride. In this episode we are joined by Australian writer and columnist Sarina Rowell [ http://imaginedslights.com/ ] to talk about her Smash Hits memories as an 80s pop kid in a land down under, looking at the bumper December 1983 issue of Ver Hits. Discussed are Duran Duran, Nik Kershaw, Paul Young, Tina Turner, Status Quo, Robert Smith and a whole lot more. Read along with us. Like Punk Never Happened: https://likepunknever...
Dec 07, 2021•1 hr 41 min
Welcome to a special bonus episode of The Giddy Carousel of Pop. If you heard our last episode with Mark Ellen, you'll know that we spoke to Adam & The Ants' guitarist Marco Pirroni about his memories of Smash Hits. But we talked about so much more and thought that you might like to hear it. So here it is! HOSTS: Simon Galloway and Gavin Hogg GUEST: Marco Pirroni CONTACT DETAILS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/GiddyPopPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiddyPopPod Instagram: https://www.in...
Oct 26, 2021•28 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride. In this episode we are joined by music mag legend and former Smash Hits editor Mark Ellen, as the carousel spins back to June 1981. There's also a second guest on the carousel - Adam & The Ants guitarist Marc Pirroni, who shares his memories of the cover story, Smash Hits and a whole lot more (look out for a bonus episode coming soon). Read along with us. Like Punk Never Happened: https://likepunkneverhappened.blogs...
Oct 12, 2021•1 hr 54 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride. In this episode we are joined by pop kid and deputy chair of the Philip Larkin Society, Lyn Lockwood to look at the Smash Hits of 3-16 July 1985. Along the way we encounter Howard Jones, Humpe Humpe, Madonna, Duran Duran, The Style Council, Elton John, The Damned, Russ Abott, The Grumbleweeds, Max Headroom and Simply Red among others, plus the usual Bitz, RSVP and reviews. Read along with us. Like Punk Never Happened: h...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr 33 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride. In this episode writer, podcaster and former drummer with The Fall (1980-85) Paul Hanley joins us to peruse a 'double A side' issue of Smash Hits from 1981 and a whole lot more. Along the way we encounter Adam & The Ants, Stray Cats, Kim Wilde, Prince, Kraftwerk, Sparks, Stars On 45, Landscape, The Jam and Spandau Ballet among others, plus the usual Bitz, Letters and reviews. Paul also talks about his time with The ...
May 29, 2021•1 hr 43 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride. In this episode, writer Jude Rogers (The Guardian, The Quietus, Mojo and more) takes us back to her days as a day 10 year-old pop kid in August 1988 and the very first Smash Hits she ever bought. Along the way we discuss Kylie Minogue, Pat Benatar, Tanita Tikaram, Yazz, Bomb The Bass, Bros, Nik Kershaw, Billy Idol, R.E.M., Brother Beyond, band t-shirts, Prince, Michael Jackson and loads more! Plus the usual RSVP and sin...
Apr 08, 2021•1 hr 36 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride. In the this bumper episode, TV and film production designer and (most importantly) pop kid Richard Drew joins us on the carousel as it spins back to the Smash Hits of late February 1983. OMD are on the front cover and inside we find Musical Youth, Spandau Ballet, Thompson Twins, The Belle Stars, David Bowie, Marillion, Toto, Level 42, China Crisis, The Gap Band, Haysi Fantayzee, JoBoxers, Bonnie Tyler, Orange Juice, Eur...
Mar 03, 2021•1 hr 50 min
Grab some paper and a pen and prepare yourselves for The Giddy Carousel of Pop's Quizorilliant Christmas Quiz! 10 rounds. 50 questions. And all taken from the pages of Smash Hits (so if any of the answers are wrong, blame them!). There are no prizes, it's just a bit of fun. But do let us know how you get on. Are you ready? Don't forget, you're in control, so use pause and rewind if you must, but no cheating. HOSTS: Simon Galloway and Gavin Hogg CONTACT DETAILS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Giddy...
Dec 23, 2020•47 min
In our first foray into the 1990s, journalist and podcaster Laura Kelly from The Big Issue joins us on the carousel and takes us back to the Smash Hits of 1-14 April 1992. And it's a very different Smash Hits from what we've covered so far on the podcast, with TV and film stars getting as much attention as pop stars. We're also introduced to a raft of new features including 'No! Not The Biscuit Tin!' and Sylvia Patterson steals the show with her glorious feature on the Manic Street Preachers. La...
Oct 27, 2020•1 hr 34 min
Andrew Harrison, former editor of Select, Q and Mixmag and co-host of Bigmouth podcast (among many other things) joins us on the carousel to look at the Smash Hits of 29 May - 11 June 1980. In a wide-ranging conversation, artists discussed include Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, The Specials, Hot Chocolate and many more. Andrew also tells us about his own involvement in Smash Hits and reflects on a career in music mags and some of the lessons learned. Read along with us! Thanks to Like Punk N...
Sep 08, 2020•1 hr 32 min
Welcome to The Giddy Carousel of Pop's swingorilliant summer special! Simon and Gavin snip out their favourite bits from the ten issues of Smash Hits they've covered so far on the podcast, and stick them in their audio scrapbook to share with you. It'll brighten up your summer! HOSTS: Simon Galloway and Gavin Hogg GUESTS: Julie Hamill, David Hepworth, Rachael Galletly, Simon Philo, Catherine Sked, Barry McIlheney, Patricia Caliskan, Tim Robinson, Hannah Verdier. CONTACT DETAILS: Twitter: https:/...
Aug 07, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride! To mark the 35th anniversary of Live Aid, we go back to the Smash Hits of 17-30 July 1985 with the help of Tim Robinson from DJ/production duo Nightdubbing. We look at Ver Hits coverage of the historic concerts and hear from people who were there or watched from home. We also speak to three former Smash Hits editors - David Hepworth, Mark Ellen and Barry McIlheney - about their memories of the day along with BBC TV director...
Jul 10, 2020•2 hr 49 min
Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride! In this episode we go back to the Smash Hits of 9-22 October 1985 with broadcaster, writer and pop geek Julie Hamill. Pete Burns and Morrissey grace the cover and other artists discussed include Simon Le Bon, The Cure, Five Star, Lloyd Cole, Depeche Mode, Billy Idol and many more. Read along with us! Thanks to Like Punk Never Happened and Smash Hits Remembered. http://likepunkneverhappened.blogspot.com/2015/10/october-9-22-...
Jun 05, 2020•1 hr 22 min
