In many ways, Creem - self-proclaimed as “America’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Magazine” - set the template for current music blogs and new media sites. The outsider perspective, personal and subjective approach to stories and content, willingness to champion relatively unknown bands, and ability to spot trends early (Creem allegedly coined the term “punk rock”) are just some of the ways this Detroit-based publication helped revolutionize music journalism for future generations.
Of course, while Creem may share these characteristics with contemporary blogs, it also did all of these things about a hundred times better than anything out there right now. Where else could you read a live review of a Rolling Stones show written by Charles Bukowski (framed entirely around the venue’s coincidental proximity to a racetrack he enjoyed visiting)? Or enjoy a glossy cover hand-drawn by R. Crumb? Or have Lester Bangs, Cameron Crowe, Robert Christgau and Nick Tosches all on the same masthead? Exactly. From 1969 to 1989, Creem dared to elevate music journalism as a form of artistic expression in its own right.
I highly recommend checking out the recent hardcover Creem retrospective for an absolute assault on the senses. From this collection, we’ve culled some of our favorite cover shots over the years that we feel capture the spirit and energy of their particular era as well as of Creem’s own reckless bravado.
October 1969 - Mitch Ryder. An uncharacteristic display of restraint and proof of the magazine’s showcasing of local, homegrown artists from day one.
November 1971 - R. Crumb Illustration. Subversive, raunchy, and impossible to look away from - much like the pages within - by one of the masters.
January 1972 - Alice Cooper. More Midwestern love from the mag, this time in an unexpected package. Cooper as Kris Kringle? Now that’s spooky.
April 1974 - Iggy Pop. While there’s been no shortage of iconic Iggy Pop poses over the past 40 years, this is certainly among the best. Posed but honest, destructive but methodical, choose your own meaning; the symbols are all there.
November 1975 -Rod Stewart & Britt Ekland. Was Creem poking fun of Rod the Bod here by putting him in matching sailor suits with former Bond girl Ekland? Does it matter? Dude can wear a sailor suit and still get the girl, i.e. he’s definitely “in” on this joke.
August 1976 - Paul McCartney. Not only a resourceful solution to when one of the most famous faces on earth doesn’t want to be on your cover, but also one of the most accurate depictions of 70s era Macca. Wings = fast food?
September 1977 - Ted Nugent. One of the magazine’s favorite cover subjects, the Nuge encapsulates the Creem spirit: a brash, eccentric, unapologetic free spirit representing Motor City.
November 1983 - The Police. An example of a perfect snapshot of time; you can pretty much tell from their faces and poses (and clothes?) here that they’ve absolutely had enough and are ready to break up (which they kinda sorta did a few months later, after the Synchronicity tour).
August 1984 - Judas Priest’s Rob Halford. Look at this and just try and tell me you were surprised when Halford came out of the closet in 1998.
October 1986 - David Lee Roth. Worth inclusion if nothing else than as the antithesis to Creem’s usual look. Might as well JUMP!
February 1987 - David Byrne. This cover is simple, cool, but slightly askew, just like its subject. It also brings home an essential point: from Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels to David Byrne and all unfathomable points between, “America’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Magazine” had it covered.
