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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

Come Undone: How Duran Duran Tied Off Another Hit Song

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Come Undone: How Duran Duran Tied Off Another Hit Song

There was a lot riding on Come Undone. Could Duran Duran deliver a second hit song after the comeback of Ordinary World?

Vogue: The Story Behind Madonna’s Biggest-Ever Hit

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Vogue: The Story Behind Madonna’s Biggest-Ever Hit

Vogue started life as a planned B-side, but it would go on to earn a place in pop history as Madonna’s biggest hit song.

4 Minutes: The Story Behind Madonna’s Quickie With Justin Timberlake

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4 Minutes: The Story Behind Madonna’s Quickie With Justin Timberlake

4 Minutes was a first for Madonna – inviting Justin Timberlake into the studio, the “Queen Of Pop” shared the billing on one of her records!

‘True’: Behind Spandau Ballet’s Masterpiece 80s Pop Album

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‘True’: Behind Spandau Ballet’s Masterpiece 80s Pop Album

Make-or-break for Spandau Ballet, the ‘True’ album lived up to Gary Kemp’s ambition to record ‘an album that would… become timeless’.

How Kylie Minogue Became An LGBTQ+ Icon

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How Kylie Minogue Became An LGBTQ+ Icon

From ‘Neighbours’ soap star to WorldPride headliner, this is the story of how Kylie Minogue became an LGBTQ+ icon.

Borderline: The Story Behind Madonna’s Breakout Hit Song

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Borderline: The Story Behind Madonna’s Breakout Hit Song

Revealing Madonna as a premier-league mainstream star and a compelling dance act, Borderline was a landmark song for the “Queen Of Pop”.

Bedtime Story: The Tale Behind Madonna’s Classic Dance-Pop Cut

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Bedtime Story: The Tale Behind Madonna’s Classic Dance-Pop Cut

A bold creative move and a massive club success, Bedtime Story is the song that first hinted towards Madonna’s electronica reinvention in the 90s.

Too Shy: The Story Behind Kajagoogoo’s Definitive 80s Pop Song

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Too Shy: The Story Behind Kajagoogoo’s Definitive 80s Pop Song

Kajagoogoo’s Too Shy sold millions around the world, but as the band tell Dig!, the song’s phenomenal success threatened to overwhelm them.

Frozen: The Song That Fuelled Madonna’s Surprise Sonic Revolution

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Frozen: The Song That Fuelled Madonna’s Surprise Sonic Revolution

Marking a turning point for Madonna, Frozen was a hypnotic electro ballad that launched the ‘Ray Of Light’ album perfectly.

In Your Eyes: How Kylie Honed Her Perfect Pop Vision

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In Your Eyes: How Kylie Honed Her Perfect Pop Vision

How do you follow one of the biggest-selling singles of all time? Kylie Minogue had an ace up her sleeve with 2002’s In Your Eyes.