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Mark Elliott

Mark Elliott balances a passion for all things pop with a day-job managing the content and commercial fortunes of one of Britain’s largest specialist magazine publishers. His career has taken him from the boardroom of Time Out London (where he was Managing Director) to the publishing hotseat at brands such as Closer and Empire. All of this interesting career stuff pales in comparison besides his – frankly ridiculous – record-collecting habit (how many overseas variant covers of Like A Virgin does anyone really need?) and The Ministry Of Pop, his book on Stock Aitken Waterman, published in 2017.

Articles by Mark Elliott

Best Madonna Albums: Her Studio Discography, Ranked, Reviewed

List & Guides

Best Madonna Albums: Her Studio Discography, Ranked, Reviewed

Balancing her hit-making instincts with a flair for controversy, the best Madonna albums make for a discography that straddles art and pop.

‘Hotspot’: A Slow-Burn Classic In Pet Shop Boys’ Rich Body Of Work

In Depth

‘Hotspot’: A Slow-Burn Classic In Pet Shop Boys’ Rich Body Of Work

With especially pertinent timing, ‘Hotspot’ found Pet Shop boys dialling down the hedonism as the world was plunged into a unique crisis.

Madonna Number Ones: All 20 US And UK Chart-Topping Singles

List & Guides

Madonna Number Ones: All 20 US And UK Chart-Topping Singles

As this list of every one of Madonna’s US and UK number ones shows, the “Queen Of Pop” has well and truly earned her crown.

‘Kylie Christmas’: How The Snow Queen Claimed Her Throne

In Depth

‘Kylie Christmas’: How The Snow Queen Claimed Her Throne

Kylie Minogue and Christmas – it’s an obvious combination, but it took three decades for the Princess Of Pop to record her Christmas album.

‘X’: How Kylie Minogue Made Her Post-Recovery Mark

‘X’: How Kylie Minogue Made Her Post-Recovery Mark

Kylie Minogue’s tenth studio album, ‘X’ was less calculated reinvention or exhaustive confessional than simply a return to business as usual.

‘Seven And The Ragged Tiger’: How Duran Duran Roared To The Top Spot

In Depth

‘Seven And The Ragged Tiger’: How Duran Duran Roared To The Top Spot

Recorded amid an overwhelming flood of fame, ‘Seven And The Ragged Tiger’ found Duran Duran revelling in glorious 80s excess.

‘Like A Virgin’: The Album That Proved Madonna Had The Touch

In Depth

‘Like A Virgin’: The Album That Proved Madonna Had The Touch

Pairing up with Chic’s Nile Rodgers, Madonna created ‘Like A Virgin’, arguably the most significant record ever released by a woman.

Hunting High And Low: How a-ha Ensnared A Classic Debut Album

In Depth

Hunting High And Low: How a-ha Ensnared A Classic Debut Album

In ‘Hunting High And Low’, a-ha created one of the 80s’ classic albums, aided by the charm of their songwriting and a certain video…

Bedtime Stories: Under The Covers Of Madonna’s Seductive Sixth Album

Bedtime Stories: Under The Covers Of Madonna’s Seductive Sixth Album

On her ‘Bedtime Stories’ album, Madonna’s tease remained evident, but had become more soft seduction than confrontational come-on.

Behaviour: When Pet Shop Boys Proved They Could Not Be Tamed

In Depth

Behaviour: When Pet Shop Boys Proved They Could Not Be Tamed

Their most introspective album to date, ‘Behaviour’ was an often exhilarating example of Pet Shop Boys flexing their musical agility.