NME Magazine 17 August 1996 Jarvis Cocker Pulp Oasis Knebworth Special NP009

Original vintage NME (New Musical Express) Magazine, dated 17 August 1996, featuring Jarvis Cocker, frontman of British rock band Pulp, as the main cover star.

This is a particularly interesting issue from the height of the Britpop era, combining a prominent Jarvis Cocker cover interview with an Oasis Knebworth Special, alongside coverage of numerous influential British indie and alternative music artists.

The front cover features a dramatic, tightly cropped photograph of Jarvis Cocker, photographed by Kevin Westenberg.

Jarvis is pictured looking directly towards the camera, with his characteristic dark hair falling across his forehead and an intense, wide-eyed expression.

The photograph is presented in warm orange and red tones, creating a striking portrait that dominates almost the entire front cover.

The main headline reads:

"JARVIS – I can't believe I did that!"

With the accompanying cover text:

"JACKO! DRUGS! SEX! FAME! PULP'S LEAD SINGER TELLS ALL"

This advertises an extensive interview exploring Jarvis Cocker's experiences with fame, public attention and his life as the frontman of Pulp.

Jarvis Cocker – Main Cover Interview

The principal attraction is a major interview with Jarvis Cocker during one of the most significant periods of his career.

By August 1996, Pulp had achieved considerable commercial and critical success following their breakthrough album Different Class, released in 1995.

The band had become one of the defining acts of the Britpop movement, alongside Oasis, Blur and Suede.

The cover's reference to "Jacko" relates to the widely publicised incident involving Jarvis Cocker and Michael Jackson at the 1996 BRIT Awards.

The interview is advertised as covering controversial moments, personal experiences, celebrity culture and the pressures of fame.

The dramatic Kevin Westenberg cover portrait makes this an especially distinctive issue for collectors of Jarvis Cocker and Pulp memorabilia.

Oasis – Knebworth Special

Across the very top of the front cover is the prominent headline:

"OASIS KNEBWORTH SPECIAL"

This is an important historical feature because the issue was published immediately after Oasis's famous Knebworth concerts on 10 and 11 August 1996.

These performances became defining events of the Britpop era and are remembered as among the most celebrated concerts in British rock music history.

The special coverage is particularly interesting for collectors because it represents contemporary music journalism published only days after the concerts.

The issue provides a period connection to Oasis at the height of their popularity, when brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher were among the most prominent figures in British music.

For collectors of Oasis, Knebworth 1996 and Britpop memorabilia, this advertised special feature is a major attraction.

72-Page Issue

The upper-right section advertises:

"Class 72 page issue"

This identifies the magazine as a substantial 72-page edition, offering a broad selection of contemporary music journalism, reviews and features.

The advertised page count is particularly useful for collectors seeking original NME issues from the mid-1990s.

Other Featured Artists and Subjects

The left-hand cover panel advertises additional coverage involving:

• My Life Story – British orchestral pop and indie band.

• Throwing Muses – American alternative rock band.

• Patti Smith – American singer-songwriter and influential punk rock artist.

• Independence Day – the 1996 science-fiction film.

• Orbital – British electronic music duo.

• The Wannadies – Swedish alternative rock band.

• The Levellers – British folk rock band.

• Tiger – British indie rock group.

• Sarah Cracknell – singer associated with Saint Etienne.

• Kula Shaker – British psychedelic rock band.

The combination of these artists demonstrates NME's wide-ranging coverage during the summer of 1996.

The magazine reflects the period's mixture of Britpop, alternative rock, electronic music, punk influences and emerging indie acts.

Historical and Collector Interest

This issue is particularly appealing because it brings together two major subjects from British music history.

The first is the extensive Jarvis Cocker cover interview, published during Pulp's commercial peak and following his highly publicised appearance at the 1996 BRIT Awards.

The second is the Oasis Knebworth Special, documenting the immediate aftermath of one of the most significant British concert events of the decade.

The distinctive Kevin Westenberg portrait, 72-page format and selection of contemporary artists make this an interesting original publication for collectors of 1990s British music culture.

Magazine / Item Details

Condition

Pre-owned vintage condition with visible age-related handling and storage wear.

The following assessment is based on the single supplied front-cover photograph.

Front Cover: The large Jarvis Cocker photograph remains clearly visible, with strong orange and red colouring. The main headlines and printed text remain readable. There is noticeable surface waviness, light creasing and general handling wear.

Spine / Left Edge: The left-hand folded edge shows visible compression, bending and creasing. There are several small irregularities along the edge, particularly towards the upper and lower sections.

Right Edge: The right-hand margin shows noticeable age-related discolouration, including yellowing and darker marks. The edge appears uneven and slightly curled, with light fraying and handling wear.

Top Edge: The upper edge has visible waviness and slight curling. The top-left corner shows some bending and compression, while the top-right corner appears slightly softened.

Bottom Edge: The bottom edge shows noticeable creasing, unevenness and minor folding. The lower-right corner is visibly bent upwards, with several overlapping paper edges apparent.

Corners: All four corners show some degree of age-related wear. The lower-right corner has the most noticeable curling and bending. The lower-left corner is slightly softened and compressed.

Discolouration: Yellowing and age-related toning are visible around the pale outer margins, especially along the right-hand edge and upper sections.

Surface Marks: Light rubbing, small marks and minor surface scuffs are visible. There are faint horizontal creases across portions of the printed cover, particularly towards the middle and lower areas.

Tears / Damage: No major missing sections are apparent on the photographed front cover. Minor edge irregularities and small areas of paper wear are visible.

Interior Pages: The interior pages and back cover have not been photographed, so their condition and completeness cannot be fully assessed.

Overall, this is a vintage reading and collecting copy showing noticeable age-related handling and storage wear, while retaining an attractive and distinctive Jarvis Cocker cover.

Please examine the supplied photograph carefully, as it forms an important part of the condition description.

Packaging & Postage

The magazine will be carefully and safely folded and packed inside a protective cardboard box for posting.

It will be securely packed to help reduce the risk of crushing, excessive bending and further damage during transit.