Smash Hits was a British pop music based magazine, aimed at teenagers and young adults and was originally published in the

UK by EMAP. 

 

Smash Hits was founded in 1978 by Nick Logan, who had previously edited the New Musical Express during one of its most creative periods and went on to create '80s fashion bible The Face.

 

After releasing a test issue in September 1978, with Belgian's Plastic Bertrand on the front and a centre spread of Sham 69, the first issue was published in November 1978 and featured Blondie on the cover.

 

The publication was initially monthly but switched to fortnightly after only three issues, due to massive sales, which it remained until its demise. The backbone of the magazine in its early years, and one of its major early selling points, was the publication of Top 20 song lyrics.

 

The magazine ran from November 1978 to March 2006.