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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

‘Kiss Me Once’: A Track-By-Track Guide To Kylie Minogue’s Eclectic Album

List & Guides

‘Kiss Me Once’: A Track-By-Track Guide To Kylie Minogue’s Eclectic Album

An eclectic album packed with fabulous pop, ‘Kiss Me Once’ deserves repeat adoration, as proven by this track-by-track guide to its 11 songs.

Burning Up: Behind The Madonna Classic That Lit Up The Dance Charts

In Depth

Burning Up: Behind The Madonna Classic That Lit Up The Dance Charts

Part of the demo collection that scored Madonna a record deal, Burning Up remains a fascinating outlier among her early hits.

How Spandau Ballet’s Live Debut Launched The New Romantic Movement

In Depth

How Spandau Ballet’s Live Debut Launched The New Romantic Movement

With Christmas 1979 approaching, Spandau Ballet made their debut live show, igniting a pop revolution soon billed the New Romantic movement.

‘The Immaculate Collection’: How Madonna Reinvented The Greatest-Hits Album

In Depth

‘The Immaculate Collection’: How Madonna Reinvented The Greatest-Hits Album

Breaking sales records and pushing the bounds of technology, Madonna’s ‘The Immaculate Collection’ set the bar for all hits albums to come.

Open Your Heart: The Story Behind Madonna’s First Art-Pop “Performance” Song

In Depth

Open Your Heart: The Story Behind Madonna’s First Art-Pop “Performance” Song

The fourth single from the ‘True Blue’ album, Open Your Heart found Madonna creating her most ambitious artistic statement yet.

‘Body Language’: A Track-By-Track Guide To Kylie Minogue’s 2003 Album

In Depth

‘Body Language’: A Track-By-Track Guide To Kylie Minogue’s 2003 Album

Pleasingly experimental, Kylie Minogue’s ‘Body Language’ album mixed hip-hop and R&B with 80s touchstones and her trademark frothy pop.

Rio: The Story Behind Duran Duran’s Most Celebrated Party Anthem

In Depth

Rio: The Story Behind Duran Duran’s Most Celebrated Party Anthem

The 1982 hit single guaranteed to pack any dancefloor, Rio has proved to be Duran Duran’s most enduring song.

Madonna’s ‘Sex’ Book: The Full Story Behind Pop’s Most Controversial Move

In Depth

Madonna’s ‘Sex’ Book: The Full Story Behind Pop’s Most Controversial Move

Released to widespread outrage, Madonna’s ‘Sex’ book was the “Queen Of Pop”’s most political moment, and the biggest gamble she ever took.

Very: How Pet Shop Boys Became New Cultural Stakeholders

In Depth

Very: How Pet Shop Boys Became New Cultural Stakeholders

Pet Shop Boys’ most successful album, ‘Very’ was released against the backdrop of a health crisis that was decimating the LGBTQ+ community.

Why Madonna’s Girlie Show Tour Was A Two-Fingered Triumph

In Depth

Why Madonna’s Girlie Show Tour Was A Two-Fingered Triumph

Madonna’s Girlie Show world tour set new standards not only for the “Queen Of Pop”, but also for the blockbuster live shows of the future.