Rock of Pages: Creem Magazine 2022: David Bowie Special Edition

Brassneck | October 18, 2022

Rock of Pages

Creem #001

David Bowie Special Edition

by Jeff Elbel

Rolling Stone be hanged; Creem brashly billed itself long ago as “America’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Magazine.” The magazine was originally published from 1969 to 1989, featuring character-driven content brimming with opinion and attitude. Notable writers included Lester Bangs, Cameron Crowe, punk priestess Patti Smith, and Robert Christgau. Relaunched under Chairman JJ Kramer (son of original publisher Barry Kramer), issue #001 is the first in 33 years. Former writer Jaan Uhelszki returns as editor. #001 features cover art by Sonic Youth Goo artist Raymond Pettibon. Subjects include the Who, NYC thrash-punks Warthog and their ghoulish mascot Larry, and Eric Renner Brown’s new oral history of the Osmond Brothers’ unlikely staying power as heavy metal heroes. Former teen heartthrob Donny Osmond is quoted saying that Ozzy Osbourne “told me to my face that ‘Crazy Horses’ is one of his favorite rock ‘n’ roll songs of all time.” Rising rockers Amyl and the Sniffers receive six pages with photos and talk between writer Jamie Ludwig and human exclamation point Amy Taylor. The magazine revives the familiar Stars Cars column with Guns ‘n’ Roses guitarist Slash. You’ll find off-kilter fashion coverage and pinup Kurt Vile as this issue’s Creem Dreem. Contemporary coverage reaches beyond rock to include emo rapper Lil Aaron and soul artist KeiyaA. Physical issues are now available in an oversized subscription-only print format. The 2022 premiere issue is accompanied by a Special Edition with ample appeal of its own, focused on David Bowie in celebration of Brett Morgen’s film Moonage Daydream. In addition to fresh stories on the biopic with Morgen, the special issue includes a vintage story from 1973 by Crowe, a classic Stars Cars with Bowie’s unkempt Mercedes-Benz, contemporary reassessment of Bowie’s impact, album reviews of Bowie’s output through the ‘70s, and Bowie photos from the original Creem era. (creem.com)

– Jeff Elbel

Tags: Creem Magazine 2022, featured, Jeff Elbel, Rock of Pages