The Giddy Carousel of Pop

Grab some paper and a pen and prepare yourselves for The Giddy Carousel of Pop's Quizorilliant Christmas Quiz! 10 rounds. 50 questions. And all taken from the pages of Smash Hits (so if any of the answers are wrong, blame them!). There are no prizes, it's just a bit of fun. But do let us know how you get on. Are you ready? Don't forget, you're in control, so use pause and rewind if you must, but n...

In our first foray into the 1990s, journalist and podcaster Laura Kelly from The Big Issue joins us on the carousel and takes us back to the Smash Hits of 1-14 April 1992. And it's a very different Smash Hits from what we've covered so far on the podcast, with TV and film stars getting as much attention as pop stars. We're also introduced to a raft of new features including 'No! Not The Biscuit Ti...

Andrew Harrison, former editor of Select, Q and Mixmag and co-host of Bigmouth podcast (among many other things) joins us on the carousel to look at the Smash Hits of 29 May - 11 June 1980. In a wide-ranging conversation, artists discussed include Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, The Specials, Hot Chocolate and many more. Andrew also tells us about his own involvement in Smash Hits and reflects...

Welcome to The Giddy Carousel of Pop's swingorilliant summer special! Simon and Gavin snip out their favourite bits from the ten issues of Smash Hits they've covered so far on the podcast, and stick them in their audio scrapbook to share with you. It'll brighten up your summer! HOSTS: Simon Galloway and Gavin Hogg GUESTS: Julie Hamill, David Hepworth, Rachael Galletly, Simon Philo, Catherine Sked,...

Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride! To mark the 35th anniversary of Live Aid, we go back to the Smash Hits of 17-30 July 1985 with the help of Tim Robinson from DJ/production duo Nightdubbing. We look at Ver Hits coverage of the historic concerts and hear from people who were there or watched from home. We also speak to three former Smash Hits editors - David H...

Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride! In this episode we go back to the Smash Hits of 9-22 October 1985 with broadcaster, writer and pop geek Julie Hamill. Pete Burns and Morrissey grace the cover and other artists discussed include Simon Le Bon, The Cure, Five Star, Lloyd Cole, Depeche Mode, Billy Idol and many more. Read along with us! Thanks to Like Punk Never...

Buy us a coffee and help keep the Carousel spinning: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod⁠ Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride! Simon and Gavin chat to former Smash Hits editor Barry McIlheney about his time at Ver Hits (October 1986 to January 1989) and the 25 March - 7 April 1987 issue in particular. In just three years, Barry went from being a library assistant liv...

Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride! In this episode we go back to the Smash Hits of 4-17 November 1987 with pop kid Catherine Sked. U2 grace the cover and other artists featured include T'Pau, Marillion, Communards, Blue Mercedes, Pet Shop Boys (again!), Heartbeat, Sting and Wet Wet Wet, not to mention Billy Idol's 'perv breeks' and Rick Astley's ruddy big pig....

Simon and Gavin welcome you once again to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In the first of two parts, we have a good look through the Smash Hits of 23 March - 5 April 1988 (the Easter hols!) with the help of our special guest, freelance pop culture writer, contributor to The Guardian and former Smash Hits deputy editor in the late 90s/early 00s, Hannah Verdier. Hannah tells us about her time at the mag...

Simon and Gavin welcome you aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this episode we go all the way back to February 1979 to dissect issue 4 of Smash Hits. The last of the mag's initial monthly issues, it only takes a moment to realise that this actually hit the streets in the January of 1979, tying up the loose ends of 1978 with its mix of pop, punk and disco before moving to fortnightly publication...

Former Smash Hits editor David Hepworth joins Simon and Gavin on The Giddy Carousel of Pop, looking at the Smash Hits of 4-17 March 1982, in a wide-ranging conversation that takes us behind the scenes of the magazine, the people who worked on it, the pop stars who appeared in it, and the invaluable part played by its readers, including David's proudest professional moment. Artists discussed in par...

Simon and Gavin welcome you aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this third episode of the Smash Hits appreciation podcast, we have a good look at Ver Hits from 6-19 December 1984, with our guest, author and journalist Patricia Caliskan lending a helping hand in this rummage through the highlights of a very festive edition from the biggest Christmas of the 1980s and in pop music history. Among the...

Simon and Gavin welcome you aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this second episode of the Smash Hits appreciation podcast, we have a good look at Ver Hits from 17-30 May 1989, with our guest Rachael Galletly lending a helping hand in this rummage through the back issues of pop. Among the regular fortnightly features (Bitz, RVSP, Singles & Albums Reviews, lyrics and posters), artists discusse...

Simon and Gavin welcome you aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this first edition of the Smash Hits appreciation podcast, we have a good look at Ver Hits from 6-19 November 1985, with our good buddy Tim Robinson (of Manchester-based production/DJ outfit Nightdubbing) lending a helping hand in this rummage through the back issues of pop. Among the regular fortnightly columns (Bitz, Get Smart, Sin...

Simon and Gavin bring you a little taste of what to expect on The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Beware the dumper! First full episode coming on 26 November 2019. Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - just search for The Giddy Carousel of Pop or GiddyPopPod. CONTACT DETAILS: Twitter:  https://twitter.com/GiddyPopPod Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GiddyPopPod Instagram:  https://www.instagram.c...