Mark Ellen

Mark Ellen

Mark Ellen is a British magazine editor, journalist and broadcaster. He wrote for Record Mirror, NME and Time Out before signing up as Features Editor of Smash Hits in 1981, where he became the editor in 1983. He was the launch editor of Q, the re-launch editor of Select and the launch managing editor of Mojo. He later became the editor-in-chief of EMAP Metro, before becoming the editor of The Word, a music magazine started with long-time colleague, business partner and The Old Grey Whistle Test co-presenter David Hepworth. He now collaborates with Hepworth on Word In Your Ear, a series of music-themed live events and podcasts.

Latest articles by Mark Ellen

David Gilmour studio portrait

David Gilmour on the past, the present, and the future of Pink Floyd

By Mark Ellen published

David Gilmour on Rattle That Lock, Endless River, and 50 years of Pink Floyd

Albums
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“He was incapable of saying anything fond about anyone or anything. Affection didn’t exist in his life, only weird sex”: how Frank Zappa survived the 70s

By Mark Ellen published

Throughout the 1970s, he hated the hippies, loved jazz as much as rock and played dumb with incredible technical prowess, making his music thrillingly unique

Tracks & Singles
George Martin at Abbey Road in 1987

George Martin: 10 recordings to demonstrate his revolutionary musical genius

By Mark Ellen published

Paul McCartney called George Martin the "most musical person" he ever met, but there was more to Martin than The Beatles

Tracks & Singles
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Phil Collins interview: the Live Aid fiasco, going solo, and coping with criticism

By Mark Ellen last updated

Phil Collins talks about Genesis, Led Zeppelin, George Harrison and the unexplained paint pot on Top Of The Tops

Interviews
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Meet the man who took the Grateful Dead to Egypt

By Mark Ellen last updated

Richard Loren smuggled drugs for Jefferson Airplane, looked after a maced Jim Morrison, and was the Grateful Dead's business manager. His memoir tells all

Interviews
a shot of danny fields and the ramones

Meet Danny Fields, the man responsible for bringing punk to Britain

By Mark Ellen published

He signed the Stooges, managed the Ramones and introduced punk rock to Britain. Now Danny Fields looks back at a career spent on the cutting edge

Interviews
The Beatles in Washington, February 1964

The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years review

By Mark Ellen published

Ron Howard's new Beatles documentary hits UK cinemas on September 15. Our reviewer thinks even non-believers will love it

Concerts & Shows
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Hippie Archeology: the lost vinyl of Olompali

By Mark Ellen published

The Grateful Dead's former commune proves an enlightening dig for California archeologist

Culture