NME – 13 September 1997 – Mark Morrison – Radiohead – Return of the Mack

Original vintage British NME (New Musical Express) weekly music newspaper dated 13 September 1997, featuring R&B singer Mark Morrison on the front cover.

This issue includes an extensive, illustrated interview with Morrison, the British singer best known for his international hit single Return of the Mack.

The cover advertises a major exclusive discussing Morrison's career, legal troubles, public image and experiences following his commercial breakthrough.

Also featured on the cover are Radiohead, Ocean Colour Scene, Frank Skinner, The Sundays, Cornershop, Finley Quaye and Hurricane #1.

A distinctive original 1990s music newspaper combining British R&B, alternative rock, Britpop and contemporary music journalism.

Front Cover – Mark Morrison

The front cover features a large, striking colour photograph of Mark Morrison, presented against a vivid orange-red background.

Morrison is photographed wearing dark sunglasses, a navy Nike T-shirt and a substantial gold-coloured chain necklace.

He is holding a pair of metallic handcuffs prominently towards the camera, creating a deliberately confrontational and theatrical image.

The photograph references the singer's widely publicised legal difficulties and the subject matter of the accompanying interview.

His short hairstyle, sunglasses, jewellery and sportswear are characteristic of the late-1990s British R&B and urban music scene.

The cover photograph is credited to Ian Jennings.

Main Cover Headlines

"BRITAIN'S MOST WANTED!"

"MARK MORRISON"

"World exclusive! Prison! Stun guns! Oasis! Mince pies!... The Mack tells all"

The headline dominates the lower half of the cover in enormous white lettering with contrasting red and blue outlines.

The composition combines the orange background, Morrison's dark clothing and the prominent handcuffs to create a memorable piece of 1990s music journalism.

Main Feature – Mark Morrison Exclusive Interview

The supplied interior photograph shows an extensive illustrated feature devoted to Mark Morrison.

The article is presented across a large double-page spread, combining full-colour photography, bold editorial typography and several columns of interview text.

The feature is particularly interesting because it documents Morrison during the height of his fame, following the success of Return of the Mack.

Double-Page Feature Headline

The large headline reads:

"THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO KILL ME TO STOP ME... MAYBE ONE DAY I'LL WIN!"

The words extend across the upper portion of the two-page spread, printed in large, multicoloured lettering.

The headline reflects the interview's focus on Morrison's determination, public reputation and experiences within the music industry.

Left-Hand Page Photograph

The left-hand page contains a substantial colour photograph of Mark Morrison standing against a background of overlapping newspaper headlines and graphic text.

He is wearing:

• Dark sunglasses.

• A navy Nike T-shirt.

• A heavy gold-coloured chain necklace.

• A prominent wristwatch.

• Dark trousers with a patterned belt.

A large pair of handcuffs is visible hanging from his waistband.

The photograph presents Morrison in a confident, carefully styled pose and reinforces the article's references to his public image and legal controversies.

The background includes numerous overlapping headlines, creating a collage-like effect that reflects the media attention surrounding the singer.

Right-Hand Page Photograph

The right-hand page contains a second colour photograph of Morrison.

He is shown wearing dark sunglasses and a navy Nike T-shirt while holding a small metallic object close to his face.

The photograph is positioned beneath the main headline and surrounded by extensive interview text.

The overall layout is an excellent example of NME's bold late-1990s editorial design.

Interview Content and Historical Context

The photographed article discusses several aspects of Morrison's career and personal experiences.

Subjects visible in the interview include:

Return of the Mack

The article discusses Morrison's internationally successful single Return of the Mack, which became one of the most recognisable British R&B recordings of the decade.

Originally released in 1996, the song achieved substantial commercial success and established Morrison as a major name in British popular music.

Legal Troubles and Public Controversies

The interview discusses Morrison's legal difficulties, including references to court proceedings, prison and media coverage.

These subjects are presented as part of the original 1997 interview and provide a contemporary record of how the singer's public reputation was being discussed at the time.

Career and Musical Ambitions

Morrison discusses his determination to continue recording music and developing his career despite the controversies surrounding him.

Music Industry and Public Image

The article explores his experiences with publicity, journalists and the wider entertainment industry.

Oasis References

The front cover specifically advertises references to Oasis within the interview, illustrating the crossover between British R&B and the wider Britpop-dominated music culture of the period.

The combination of personal commentary, music industry discussion and contemporary controversy makes this a particularly interesting historical interview.

Radiohead – Live Coverage

The front cover also advertises coverage of Radiohead, accompanied by a small live-performance photograph.

The headline reads:

"OK! ALL SYSTEMS GO! RADIOHEAD live in London and, erm, Bridlington"

The cover photograph shows a singer performing into a microphone.

This coverage dates from the period following the release of Radiohead's acclaimed 1997 album OK Computer.

The issue therefore provides an interesting connection to one of the most significant alternative rock albums of the 1990s.

Radiohead collectors may find the contemporary concert coverage particularly appealing.

Other Featured Artists and Subjects

The upper-right section of the cover advertises several additional artists and personalities:

Ocean Colour Scene

British rock band associated with the Britpop movement and albums including Moseley Shoals.

Frank Skinner

British comedian and television personality, reflecting NME's coverage of popular entertainment beyond music.

The Sundays

British alternative rock band known for their distinctive melodic sound and the vocals of Harriet Wheeler.

Cornershop

British alternative rock group whose music combined indie rock with a range of other musical influences.

Finley Quaye

British musician whose reggae-influenced recordings attracted considerable attention during 1997.

Hurricane #1

British alternative rock band associated with the post-Britpop music scene.

The top banner additionally advertises:

"NEW PULP SINGLE / IAN BROWN LP – PAGE 3"

This references contemporary news concerning Pulp and former Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown.

Together, these subjects illustrate the diversity of British popular music and entertainment covered by NME in September 1997.

Historical and Collectable Interest

This original September 1997 issue captures a particularly significant period in British music.

Mark Morrison had achieved international recognition through Return of the Mack, while alternative rock and Britpop continued to dominate British music journalism.

Radiohead were enjoying the critical and commercial success of OK Computer, and artists including Pulp, Ian Brown, Ocean Colour Scene and Cornershop remained important figures within the contemporary music scene.

The issue is particularly interesting because its main feature documents the intersection of music, celebrity, public controversy and the British tabloid press.

The extensive Mark Morrison interview and accompanying photographs make it a distinctive collectible for fans of 1990s British R&B.

Especially suitable for collectors interested in:

• Mark Morrison memorabilia.

• Return of the Mack-era music journalism.

• British R&B and 1990s popular music.

• Radiohead and OK Computer-era coverage.

• Original NME music newspapers.

• Britpop and British alternative rock.

• Vintage music photography.

• 1990s British music culture.

Publication Details

Publication: NME – New Musical Express

Full Publication Date: 13 September 1997

Main Cover Artist: Mark Morrison

Main Cover Headline: Britain's Most Wanted! Mark Morrison

Cover Photography: Ian Jennings

Main Interior Feature: Mark Morrison exclusive interview

Other Featured Artists: Radiohead, Ocean Colour Scene, The Sundays, Cornershop, Finley Quaye, Hurricane #1, Pulp and Ian Brown

Additional Featured Personality: Frank Skinner

Original Cover Price: 95p

Country of Publication: United Kingdom

Language: English

Format: Large-format weekly music newspaper

Era: 1990s / British R&B / Britpop / Alternative Rock

Condition: Pre-owned vintage condition

SKU: NP010

Condition – Important Information

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

The supplied photographs show the front cover and the Mark Morrison double-page interior feature.

Front Cover

The front cover remains visually striking, with the Mark Morrison photograph, NME masthead and principal headlines clearly visible.

There are visible handling creases, slight surface rippling and general signs of wear.

Paper Discolouration

The white newspaper margins show noticeable age-related yellowing and toning.

This is particularly apparent along the outer edges and upper margin.

Top Edge

The upper edge is slightly uneven, with minor waviness and light corner wear.

Left Edge / Spine

The left-hand folded edge shows visible creasing and handling wear, particularly around the upper and central sections.

Right Edge

The right-hand edge shows slight waviness, minor irregularities and age-related wear.

Bottom Edge

The lower edge is slightly uneven, with visible minor creasing and wear around the corners.

Corners

The corners show some softening and light bending consistent with the newspaper's age and previous handling.

Surface Marks and Creases

Light horizontal creases and general surface wear are visible across the front cover.

There is some slight rippling through the newspaper paper, particularly around the outer margins.

Interior Pages

The photographed Mark Morrison double-page feature remains clear and colourful.

Both large photographs, the headline and the accompanying article text are visible.

There is natural curvature around the centre fold, with some minor creasing and handling wear.

The paper shows age-related toning consistent with the publication's age.

Writing and Other Imperfections

No obvious handwritten annotations are visible in the photographed areas.

The complete page count and presence of every original page have not been independently verified.

Overall Condition

Pre-owned vintage condition, with visible age-related yellowing, surface creases, edge wear and minor corner bending.

Despite these imperfections, the main cover photograph and photographed interior feature remain clear, colourful and attractive.

This is an original newspaper from 1997 and should not be considered mint or pristine.

Please examine all supplied photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Packaging and Postage

The newspaper will be carefully folded and securely packaged inside a protective cardboard box for postage, with care taken to minimise further damage during transit.

An appealing original 13 September 1997 NME featuring Mark Morrison on the cover, an extensive illustrated interview and additional Radiohead coverage.

An interesting addition to collections of Mark Morrison, Return of the Mack, British R&B, Radiohead, Britpop and vintage NME music newspapers.

SKU: NP010