Melody Maker – 13 December 1997 – Travis, Fran Healy, Oasis, Natalie Imbruglia, The Charlatans

Original vintage British Melody Maker music newspaper dated Saturday, 13 December 1997, featuring Scottish indie rock band Travis on the front cover.

This issue is particularly interesting for collectors because it captures Travis during their early career, shortly after the release of their debut album Good Feeling and before their major commercial breakthrough.

The newspaper also features Oasis, Natalie Imbruglia, The Charlatans, Salt-N-Pepa, The Prodigy, Foo Fighters, The Chemical Brothers and Texas, among other artists.

The supplied photographs show both the original front cover and the internal contents page, providing a useful look at the newspaper's featured articles, photographs and overall condition.

Front Cover – Travis and Fran Healy

The striking colour front cover is dominated by a group photograph of all four members of Travis.

Lead singer Fran Healy stands prominently in the centre, smiling and raising his right fist above his head. He wears a brown knitted cardigan over a blue top.

The remaining band members stand around him, with one wearing an orange top on the right.

The photograph has a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere, contrasting with the band's developing reputation for thoughtful, melodic alternative rock.

The main headline reads:

"It's getting better, Fran!"

Followed by the band's name in large blue lettering:

"TRAVIS"

And the accompanying headline:

"1997's best-kept secret take on the States"

This is an appealing early Travis cover, documenting the band's growing profile during the late-1990s British indie music scene.

Travis Feature – Pages 28–29

The photographed contents page confirms a substantial Travis feature on pages 28–29.

The description reads:

"In his most candid interview ever, Fran Healy reveals the history behind Travis"

A smaller colour photograph shows the band seated together, providing another contemporary image of the group.

The feature is particularly relevant to collectors interested in the band's formation, early experiences and development before their mainstream success.

At the time, Travis had released their debut album Good Feeling, which included songs such as All I Want to Do Is Rock, U16 Girls, Tied to the 90's and Happy.

Natalie Imbruglia – Pages 16

The upper-left section of the front cover features Australian singer and actress Natalie Imbruglia, photographed wearing a grey T-shirt.

The cover headline reads:

"That's 'Torn' it! Natalie Imbruglia lets rip"

The contents page confirms a Natalie Imbruglia feature on page 16, describing her as being interviewed about her breakthrough single Torn.

The large central photograph on the contents page also features Natalie Imbruglia, making her one of the most visually prominent artists in the issue despite Travis being the main cover act.

She is pictured standing against a brick wall, wearing a dark grey printed T-shirt and dark trousers, with one hand resting in her pocket.

The feature dates from the early success of her debut album Left of the Middle and the international popularity of Torn.

The Charlatans – Pages 22–23

The front cover advertises:

"North Country joy! The Charlatans come home"

The contents page confirms coverage on pages 22–23.

The article is described as following the band in Manchester with the North Country Boys.

The Charlatans were one of Britain's influential alternative rock bands, associated with the Madchester movement and the wider indie music scene.

This issue appeared during the Tellin' Stories era, making the feature especially interesting to fans of the band's 1990s recordings.

Oasis – Pages 31 and Additional News

The top of the front cover announces:

"Oasis On-The-Road Mayhem – Full Report"

The contents page confirms Oasis coverage on page 31.

The accompanying description states that the newspaper catches Oasis live during their three-spread pre-Christmas appearance in Dublin.

This coverage appeared during the band's Be Here Now touring period.

The contents page also advertises additional Oasis-related news, including a reference to Liam Gallagher.

For Oasis collectors, this provides a contemporary account of the band's live activity during one of the most heavily publicised periods of their career.

Salt-N-Pepa – Pages 24–25

The contents page includes a prominent colour photograph of American hip-hop trio Salt-N-Pepa.

The group are pictured together in a posed promotional photograph.

The feature appears on pages 24–25 and concerns the group's influence on female representation in hip-hop and popular music.

This adds another interesting dimension to the issue, which covers both British alternative rock and international pop and hip-hop artists.

The Great Debate – Pages 26–27

The contents page advertises a feature titled "The Great Debate" on pages 26–27.

The article discusses the decriminalisation of cannabis and is presented as a contemporary music press debate.

It provides an example of Melody Maker's broader editorial coverage of social and cultural issues alongside its music journalism.

Live Music Coverage

The bottom of the front cover prominently advertises:

"LIVE MADNESS!"

Followed by:

"Rocking the house with Oasis, The Prodigy, Foos, Chemicals and Texas"

The photographed contents page confirms that the live section begins on page 31.

Featured artists include:

• Oasis – British rock band during the Be Here Now period.

• The Prodigy – Electronic music group associated with The Fat of the Land.

• Foo Fighters – American alternative rock band led by Dave Grohl.

• The Chemical Brothers – British electronic music duo Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons.

• Texas – Scottish pop-rock band fronted by Sharleen Spiteri.

• Mogwai – Scottish post-rock band.

The front cover also includes two small live performance photographs, one featuring a guitarist playing a Union Jack-style guitar and another showing a vocalist performing on stage.

Other Confirmed Contents

The photographed contents page identifies several additional regular features and articles:

Pages 2–15 – News and Features

• Your Shout – Readers' letters

• Charts – UK and US music charts

• News – Music industry developments

• The Knowledge – New bands and entertainment coverage

• Steve Lamacq – Column on page 15

Pages 18–20 – Orbit

A look back at the alternative music and cultural events of 1997.

Page 30 – Rebellious Jukebox

Music selections and commentary.

Page 38 – Coming Up

Upcoming artists and music developments.

Pages 39–40 – Gig Guide

Concert listings and upcoming performances.

Page 41 – Now Booking

Tour announcements and forthcoming live events.

Pages 42–43 – Singles

Reviews of new single releases.

Pages 44–45 – Albums

Reviews of contemporary album releases.

Pages 47–48 – Control Zone

Part of the newspaper's technology and interactive entertainment coverage.

Page 49 – Demo Hell

Coverage of emerging artists and demo recordings.

Page 52 – Studio Eye

Recording studio news and artist updates.

Page 53 – Musicians' Diary

Music industry information.

Page 55 – Talk Talk Talk

The newspaper's regular entertainment and commentary section.

Original 1997 Music Newspaper

Melody Maker was one of Britain's longest-running and most influential weekly music newspapers.

The publication became especially important to the alternative music scene, documenting the rise of indie rock, Britpop, electronic music and numerous emerging bands.

This December 1997 issue provides a particularly interesting snapshot of the period.

It combines coverage of established acts such as Oasis and The Charlatans with artists who were developing their international careers, including Travis and Natalie Imbruglia.

The colourful cover photography, oversized typography, artist interviews, album reviews and concert coverage are all characteristic of the British music press of the late 1990s.

Publication Details

Publication: Melody Maker

Full Publication Date: Saturday, 13 December 1997

Issue Number: 50

Volume: 74

Main Cover Artist: Travis

Featured Frontman: Fran Healy

Additional Featured Artists: Natalie Imbruglia, Oasis, The Charlatans, Salt-N-Pepa, The Prodigy, Foo Fighters, The Chemical Brothers, Texas and Mogwai

Original Cover Price: 90p

Publication Country: United Kingdom

Language: English

Format: Large-format weekly music newspaper

Era: 1990s / Britpop / Indie Rock / Alternative Music

Condition: Pre-owned vintage condition

SKU: NP011

Condition – Please Read Carefully

This is an original vintage newspaper dating from December 1997 and shows visible signs of age, handling and storage.

The supplied photographs show the front cover and an opened internal contents page.

Front Cover

The front cover retains its colourful original appearance.

The main Travis photograph remains clear and visually appealing, with the large blue headline and accompanying cover text easily readable.

There are light creases, surface wrinkles and general handling marks visible across the paper.

Paper Discolouration

There is visible age-related yellowing, particularly around the white outer margins.

The upper edge, right-hand margin and lower border show slight discolouration.

The internal contents page also displays some age-related yellowing, particularly towards the outer edges.

Edges and Corners

The top edge shows minor waviness and unevenness in the paper layers.

The right-hand edge has some visible roughness, minor bending and age-related wear.

The bottom edge shows slight waviness and handling wear.

The corners are not perfectly sharp, with some minor rounding and compression.

Fold and Spine Area

The left-hand folded edge shows light handling creases.

The opened photograph confirms that the newspaper can be opened to display the internal pages.

There is some natural curvature and waviness around the central fold.

Internal Pages

The photographed contents page remains colourful and readable.

The large Natalie Imbruglia photograph, smaller artist images and page listings are clearly visible.

Some light creasing, paper waviness and age-related discolouration can be seen.

The full newspaper has not been photographed page by page, so the condition of every internal page cannot be independently confirmed.

Writing, Tears and Marks

No obvious handwritten annotations are visible on the photographed pages.

No major tears are clearly apparent in the supplied photographs.

There may be minor imperfections around the edges and folds consistent with the newspaper's age.

Overall Condition

Good, presentable pre-owned vintage condition for its age, with visible yellowing, light creasing, edge wear, slight corner bending, paper waviness and general handling marks.

The main front cover and photographed contents page remain attractive and readable.

This is an original used newspaper rather than a mint or pristine example.

Please study all supplied photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description and show the actual item being sold.

Collector Interest

This is a particularly appealing issue for collectors of Travis and Fran Healy, featuring a prominent early-career front cover and a confirmed two-page interview exploring the band's history.

The additional Natalie Imbruglia coverage, including a large colour photograph on the contents page, adds further collector interest.

The issue also documents major names from the late-1990s British and international music scene, including Oasis, The Charlatans, Salt-N-Pepa, The Prodigy, Foo Fighters and The Chemical Brothers.

An original piece of British music press history, ideal for collectors of 1990s indie rock, Britpop, vintage music newspapers and contemporary artist interviews.

SKU: NP011