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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

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.

‘Erotica’: How Madonna’s Playful Tease Of An Album Climaxed In All-Out Provocation

In Depth

‘Erotica’: How Madonna’s Playful Tease Of An Album Climaxed In All-Out Provocation

A journey through a range of sexually-charged fantasies, the ‘Erotica’ album found Madonna at the frontline of gender politics.

Introspective: Inside Pet Shop Boys’ “Most Imperial Album”

In Depth

Introspective: Inside Pet Shop Boys’ “Most Imperial Album”

Magnificently bridging the gap between dance and pop music, ‘Introspective’ found Pet Shop Boys doing ‘as we liked’.

Scoundrel Days: How a-ha Signalled Their Pop Years Were Over

In Depth

Scoundrel Days: How a-ha Signalled Their Pop Years Were Over

A reaction to the fame brought on by Take On Me, the ‘Scoundrel Days’ album found a-ha forging a darker symphonic statement.

‘Fever’: When Kylie Minogue Hit Boiling Point

In Depth

‘Fever’: When Kylie Minogue Hit Boiling Point

With her ‘Fever’ album, Kylie Minogue consolidated her grip on the global charts, satisfying both her creative drive and her fans’ demands.

Best Nile Rodgers Songs: 10 Classics From Chic’s Floor-Filling Freak

List & Guides

Best Nile Rodgers Songs: 10 Classics From Chic’s Floor-Filling Freak

He made his name with Chic, but the best Nile Rodgers songs can be found scattered across records by Bowie, Madonna and more…

Music: Making The People Come Together Over Madonna In The 2000s

In Depth

Music: Making The People Come Together Over Madonna In The 2000s

With the ‘Music’ album, Madonna proved the new queens on the block had little chance of catching her critical and commercial momentum.

Can’t Get You Out Of My Head: Behind Kylie’s Unforgettable Comeback

In Depth

Can’t Get You Out Of My Head: Behind Kylie’s Unforgettable Comeback

The high point of Kylie Minogue’s dancefloor reinvention in the early 2000s, Can’t Get You Out Of My Head almost overwhelms her whole career.