The ’80s and ’90s were the golden age of magazines, just before the eventual takeover of the digital age.
It wasn’t just the headlines grabbing your eye; it was also the visuals. The magazine business was hugely competitive, and the real money was in the newsstands and magazine racks at the grocery store. Covers that demanded attention made all the difference.
Rolling Stone John Lennon and Yoko Ono Cover
The Rise and Fall of Magazine Cover Power
Consider Rolling Stone’s final portrait of John Lennon with Yoko Ono or People‘s 1997 tribute to Princess Diana. In both cases, the covers went beyond the story, one symbolizing a culture shift, the other becoming a keepsake to be saved.
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Obviously, the power of magazines has largely faded. According to Poynter, newsstand sales have plummeted from around 35% of the total circulation in the late 1970s to less than 10% in the early 2000s, and as low as 3% in 2023. With less attention to grab on newsstands, you could say that there’s no longer a need to be hugely provocative when it comes to covers.
LOOK: The Most Iconic Magazine Covers of the ’80s and ’90s
From Demi Moore’s groundbreaking pregnancy portrait to Janet Jackson’s provocative Rolling Stone cover — and even “Bat Boy” makes an appearance — these unforgettable ’80s and ’90s magazine moments defined pop culture and captured an era before the internet took over.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
Guess the ’80s Faces: How Many Do You Recognize?
Before social media, these ’80s icons earned their fame the hard way — and while some are still in the spotlight, others may be harder to place today.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
