Mojo (magazine)
Mojo magazine first appeared on the 15th of October 1993. Publishers Emap launched the title to capture a growing interest in classic rock music among adults aged 30 to 45 plus. The baby boomer generation formed the core demographic for this new publication. That initial issue featured Bob Dylan and John Lennon as cover stars. Paul Du Noyer served as the launch editor of the magazine. He was followed by Mat Snow, then Paul Trynka, Pat Gilbert, and Phil Alexander. John Mulvey currently holds the position of editor. Many noted music critics have contributed to its pages over the years. Charles Shaar Murray wrote extensively for the publication. Greil Marcus also contributed his insights to the magazine. Nick Kent and David Fricke were regular voices within its columns. Jon Savage and Mick Wall added their perspectives to the mix.
The magazine frequently covers classic rock acts such as the Beatles and David Bowie. It has also featured many newer and left-field acts throughout its history. Mojo became the first mainstream magazine in the UK to focus on the White Stripes. Modern cover stars of recent years include Lana Del Rey and Arctic Monkeys. Each issue regularly includes a covermount CD that ties in with a current article or theme. The publication introduced the Mojo Honours List in 2004. This awards ceremony is a mixture of readers' and critics' awards. Its approach acted as the inspiration for Blender and Uncut. These competitors emerged later to fill similar market niches. The editorial team maintained a balance between established legends and emerging talent. They covered artists like Paul Weller alongside historical giants. This strategy allowed them to remain relevant while honoring their roots.
In early 2010, Mojo was involved in a controversial move by its new parent company. Bauer imposed a new contract on all photographers and writers unilaterally. The terms removed copyright ownership from contributing creators entirely. Liability for libel or copyright infringement shifted from the publisher onto the contributor. Two hundred photographers and writers from Mojo and Bauer's other music magazines refused to work under these new terms. Kerrang! and Q were the other titles affected by this dispute. The conflict highlighted tensions between corporate cost-cutting measures and creative rights. Contributors felt their legal protections had been stripped away without negotiation. The situation drew attention to the precarious nature of freelance work in the music press industry.
The magazine has taken to publishing many Top 100 lists over recent years. Issue number 109 focused on drug songs while issue 125 examined rock epics. Protest songs appeared as the subject of issue 126. Even the most miserable songs of all time received an issue dedicated to them in number 127. To celebrate 150 issues, the magazine published a Top 100 Albums of Mojo's Lifetime list covering 1993 to 2006. Grace by Jeff Buckley ranked first on that specific list. American Recordings by Johnny Cash came in second place. OK Computer by Radiohead took third spot. Time Out of Mind by Bob Dylan finished fourth. Definitely Maybe by Oasis rounded out the top five. In 2007, the magazine set out to determine The Top 100 Records That Changed the World. Little Richard's 1955 hit Tutti Frutti took the number one spot. Richard's record beat the Beatles' I Want to Hold My Hand which placed second. Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel finished third on that influential ranking.
After the success of an all-Beatles issue published to mark The Beatles Anthology release in 1995, many stand-alone special editions followed. Three of the most successful were series produced by then special editions editor Chris Hunt. These told the story of the Beatles one thousand days at a time. Hunter Davies and Mark Lewisohn contributed articles to these magazines. Richard Williams, Ian MacDonald, Peter Doggett, and Alan Clayson also wrote for them. The three magazines were published between 2002 and 2003 before being collected together. Editor-in-chief Paul Trynka compiled them into the book The Beatles: Ten Years That Shook The World. Dorling Kindersley published this volume in 2004. Other special editions have focused on Pink Floyd, psychedelia, punk, and the 1960s. Mojo has also published four editions of The MOJO Collection: The Greatest Albums Of All Time. Canongate Books released these volumes originally edited by founding features editor Jim Irvin. A series of short definitive biographies under the imprint Mojo Heroes started in 2002. Neil Young: Reflections In Broken Glass written by Sylvie Simmons was the first title.
The company behind the magazine, Bauer, also produced a digital radio station called Mojo Radio. This station was transmitted on digital television networks in the UK via Freeview channel 721. It appeared on Sky Digital channel 0182 but not on Virgin Media. The output of the station was based on that of the magazine itself. An announcement came on the 5th of November 2008 stating Mojo Radio would cease broadcasting. The shutdown occurred on the 30th of November 2008 to save Bauer financial outlay. Phil Alexander had a regular show on the UK digital radio station Planet Rock entitled Mojo Rocks. He followed a Mojo-inspired playlist during his broadcasts there. The brief existence of the radio venture ended less than two years after its launch.
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Common questions
When did Mojo magazine first appear?
Mojo magazine first appeared on the 15th of October 1993. Publishers Emap launched the title to capture a growing interest in classic rock music among adults aged 30 to 45 plus.
Who is the current editor of Mojo magazine?
John Mulvey currently holds the position of editor at Mojo magazine. He followed Paul Du Noyer, Mat Snow, Paul Trynka, Pat Gilbert, and Phil Alexander as editors.
What was the result of the 2010 contract dispute involving Bauer and Mojo contributors?
Two hundred photographers and writers from Mojo and Bauer's other music magazines refused to work under new terms imposed by Bauer in early 2010. The conflict highlighted tensions between corporate cost-cutting measures and creative rights regarding copyright ownership and liability.
Which album ranked number one on the Top 100 Albums of Mojo's Lifetime list published for issue 150?
Grace by Jeff Buckley ranked first on the Top 100 Albums of Mojo's Lifetime list covering 1993 to 2006. American Recordings by Johnny Cash came in second place while OK Computer by Radiohead took third spot.
When did Mojo Radio cease broadcasting after its launch?
Mojo Radio ceased broadcasting on the 30th of November 2008 following an announcement made on the 5th of November 2008. The shutdown occurred to save Bauer financial outlay less than two years after its launch.