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Mark Elliott

Mark Elliott balances a passion for all things pop with a day-job managing the content and commercial fortunes of one of Britain’s largest specialist magazine publishers. His career has taken him from the boardroom of Time Out London (where he was Managing Director) to the publishing hotseat at brands such as Closer and Empire. All of this interesting career stuff pales in comparison besides his – frankly ridiculous – record-collecting habit (how many overseas variant covers of Like A Virgin does anyone really need?) and The Ministry Of Pop, his book on Stock Aitken Waterman, published in 2017.

Articles by Mark Elliott

Music: Making The People Come Together Over Madonna In The 2000s

In Depth

Music: Making The People Come Together Over Madonna In The 2000s

With the ‘Music’ album, Madonna proved the new queens on the block had little chance of catching her critical and commercial momentum.

Can’t Get You Out Of My Head: Behind Kylie’s Unforgettable Comeback

In Depth

Can’t Get You Out Of My Head: Behind Kylie’s Unforgettable Comeback

The high point of Kylie Minogue’s dancefloor reinvention in the early 2000s, Can’t Get You Out Of My Head almost overwhelms her whole career.

Actually: How Pet Shop Boys Became Pop Revolutionaries

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Actually: How Pet Shop Boys Became Pop Revolutionaries

Determined to shape things their own way, Pet Shop Boys’ sophomore album, ‘Actually’, was an even bigger success than their first.

Bilingual: How Pet Shop Boys Caught The Latin-Pop Wave First

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Bilingual: How Pet Shop Boys Caught The Latin-Pop Wave First

With ‘Bilingual’, Pet Shop Boys took their time and looked further afield for the most diverse album of their career to date.

Best Madonna Songs: 20 Classics To Help You Get Into The Groove

List & Guides

Best Madonna Songs: 20 Classics To Help You Get Into The Groove

The best Madonna songs prove the Queen Of Pop to be the ultimate chameleon, turning out classic tracks while effortlessly staying on-trend.

Best Spandau Ballet Songs: 20 Gold-Standard 80s Pop Classics

List & Guides

Best Spandau Ballet Songs: 20 Gold-Standard 80s Pop Classics

From widescreen ballads to slick pop-funk, the best Spandau Ballet songs define the New Romantic era with dazzling confidence.

Gold: Behind Spandau Ballet’s Winning 80s Anthem

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Gold: Behind Spandau Ballet’s Winning 80s Anthem

Placing Spandau Ballet on the podium, Gold is a defining 80s ballad that brings home the medal every time.

Go West: How Pet Shop Boys Led The Way To A New Utopia

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Go West: How Pet Shop Boys Led The Way To A New Utopia

Pet Shop Boys’ iconic cover of Go West rescued the song from the pop footnotes. ‘I think it’s our greatest achievement,’ said Chris Lowe.

Pet Shop Boys: Behind One Of The Finest Pop Packages Of All Time

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Pet Shop Boys: Behind One Of The Finest Pop Packages Of All Time

With their maverick musicality and arresting visuals, Pet Shop Boys established themselves as a genius singles act – and much more besides.

True Blue: How Madonna Committed Herself To The “Queen Of Pop” Role

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True Blue: How Madonna Committed Herself To The “Queen Of Pop” Role

An exercise in unashamed hit-making, ‘True Blue’ saw Madonna pitch herself at superstar status, landing in a league of her own.