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| U2 WORLD SERVICE MAGAZINE |
| U2 started publishing their own fan magazine in the fall
of 1981. The magazine was originally written by Geoff Parkyn, and
was a simple affair - a black and white one colour print magazine, stapled
in the center. It was 8.5"x11" in size, folded in half. For
a touch of colour, the early versions of the magazine covers were often
done on colour paper.
As the magazine grew in size, eventually it began to have a more professional
look. Full colour covers replaced the one colour montone covers,
and the page count started to increase. In the spring of 1986, the
magazine was replaced by Propaganda Magazine, a true printed, full colour
magazine.
Over the years, the original magazine often featured lyrics, and music
from different songs, exclusive looks into the band, interviews, and penpal
type pages, where U2 fans learned to communicate with one another before
the internet.
Today finding these magazines becomes harder and harder, as in the early
days they were very limited in number, and only went to fans who would
be unlikely to sell them. From time to time an occasional issue will
show up on eBay. When U2 released a compilation book from their fan
club magazine throughout the years entitled, The Best of Propaganda, these
earlier fan magazines were not forgotten, and some images of the early
mags were included, as well as some of the earlier articles reprinted. |
| ISSUE CONTENTS |
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| Issue: |
1 |
| Date: |
November 1981 |
| Contents: |
October Tour Notes, Hot Press National Poll Results, Lyrics
from the Boy Album, U2's First American Write Up (Article by Jim Henke,
Originally Published in Rolling Stone) |
| Notes: |
The article from Rolling Stone was written by Jim Henke,
who was employed with Rolling Stone at the time. He went on to become
the curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and he kept strong ties
to U2 throughout the years. |
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| Issue: |
2 |
| Date: |
February 1982 |
| Contents: |
News from U2 (A Celebration, Tour Notes, Awards), U2 at
the RDS Review, Lyrics to Gloria, Lyrics to Fire, Music to Is That All?,
Reviews from U2 at the Lyceum, U2 Technical Details, Letters. |
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| Issue: |
3 |
| Date: |
May 1982 |
| Contents: |
Update from the Edge, Bono interview in San Antonio, Edge
interview, Music to October, Lyrics for A Celebration, Lyrics for I Fall
Down, Lyrics for Stranger in a Strange Land, Lyrics for With a Shout, Steve
Lillywhite talks about U2, Press clippings, Letters. |
| Notes: |
The update from the Edge presents a letter handwritten from
the Edge about the bands recent and upcoming activities. |
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| Issue: |
4 |
| Date: |
August 1982 |
| Contents: |
News (Summer Tour), Belgian Show review, Coming Up for Eire
(U2 Article), Music to Stranger in a Strange Land, Lyrics for Tomorrow,
Lyrics for Rejoice, Lyrics for October, Lyrics for 11 O'Clock Tick Tock,
Music to Scarlet, Bono Vox and the Lypton Village, Pen Pals and Swops,
Letters. |
| Notes: |
The article "Coming up for Eire" was initially published
in Sounds magazine in September of 1979, and was one of the first articles
on U2 in a British music paper. At the end of this issue is a best
wishes for Ali and Bono on their wedding. |
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| Issue: |
5 |
| Date: |
November 1982 |
| Contents: |
News (New album, tour, 4U2Play), Recollections of U2's Initial
UK tour, Lyrics for Stories for Boys, Lyrics for An Cat Dubh, Lyrics for
Into the Heart, Lyrics for Out of Control, Lyrics for A Day Without Me,
Lyrics for I Threw a Brick Through a Window, Music to A Day Without Me,
U2 Pen Pals / Swops, U2 Competition, Bono's Choice, Letters. |
| Notes: |
"Bono's Choice" was a small section where Bono listed his
favorite records, films, books, TV, food and people. Of note is his
enjoyment of eating Smarties with a spoon. |
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| Issue: |
6 |
| Date: |
March 1983 |
| Contents: |
News (War release, UK tour, Hot Press Poll), Bono Quoted
on War, December '82 Tour Review, Pen Pals / Swops, Vinyl Rarities Discography,
Competition Results (Song Interpretations), Letters. |
| Notes: |
One of the earliest discographies in print of the band's
work to date. Winners of the competition announced last issue won
a copy of the 4U2Play pack of singles. |
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| Issue: |
7 |
| Date: |
May 1983 |
| Contents: |
News (End of UK Tour, Upcoming dates, They Call it an Accident),
U2 on the Tube Fan Reviews, A Visit to Dublin with Bono, The Unsinkable
U2 by Carter Alan, Lyrics (Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year's Day, Seconds,
Like a Song, Surrender, Drowning Man), Pen Pals / Swops, U2 Equipment Update,
Competition Results (Gig Review), Letters. |
| Notes: |
The Unsinkable U2 was written by WBWC disc jockey, Carter
Alan, an early supporter of U2 in the US. The article details their 1982
opening US show in New Oreleans. |
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| Issue: |
8 |
| Date: |
August 1983 |
| Contents: |
News (Summer festivals, Edge's Marriage), U2 in Worcester
Review, A Visit to Dublin with U2 (Continued from Previous Issue), U2 at
the Orpheum Review, Pen Pals / Swops, U2 Quiz, Belgium 83 Review, Competition
Results (Gig Review). |
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| Issue: |
9 |
| Date: |
November 1983 |
| Contents: |
News (Under a Blood Red Sky, U2 in Japan, Other News, Snakecharmer
Project), Phoenix Park Concert Review, U2 in the USA), Lyrics (Two Hearts
Beat As One, Red Light, The Refugee), Pen Pals / Swops, U2 Word Search,
Reader's Poem, Edge's Recent Favorite Tracks. |
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| Issue: |
10 |
| Date: |
February 1984 |
| Contents: |
U2 News (Recording of new album, Various Magazine Polls,
The Big One show), Bono on new album, Lyrics (40, Trash Trampoline and
the Party Girl), Pen Pals, Under a Blood Red Sky Review, U2 Lyric Puzzle,
U2 Equipment Update. |
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| Issue: |
11 |
| Date: |
Summer 1984 |
| Contents: |
News (New album), Love Devotion and Surrender (War analysis),
U2 Lyric Competition, Band Aid, Pen Pals / Swops, U2 Favorite Songs Poll,
Bono's Top 10 of 1983. |
| Notes: |
"Band Aid" was a note in the magazine asking U2 fans who
had a band to send in a demo tape, and they would mention the band in future
issues of the magazine, and might pass it along, and they mention selling
a fan single as well. |
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| Issue: |
12 |
| Date: |
Autumn 1984 |
| Contents: |
News (Unforgettable Fire album, Pride single, UF Tour, Bono
at Slane '84, Edge's daughter Hollie), Adam Clayton interview, U2 Favorite
Songs Poll Results, Lyric Competition Winners, Pen Pals / Swops, In Tua
Nua, U2 Crossword, Bono talks about The Unforgettable Fire. |
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| Issue: |
13 |
| Date: |
Winter 1984 |
| Contents: |
October Tour Notes, Hot Press National Poll Results, Lyrics
from the Boy Album, U2's First American Write Up (Article by Jim Henke,
Rolling Stone) |
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| Issue: |
14 |
| Date: |
Spring 1985 |
| Contents: |
October Tour Notes, Hot Press National Poll Results, Lyrics
from the Boy Album, U2's First American Write Up (Article by Jim Henke,
Rolling Stone) |
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| Issue: |
15 |
| Date: |
Summer 1985 |
| Contents: |
October Tour Notes, Hot Press National Poll Results, Lyrics
from the Boy Album, U2's First American Write Up (Article by Jim Henke,
Rolling Stone) |
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| Issue: |
16 |
| Date: |
Autumn / Fall 1985 |
| Contents: |
October Tour Notes, Hot Press National Poll Results, Lyrics
from the Boy Album, U2's First American Write Up (Article by Jim Henke,
Rolling Stone) |
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Propaganda Magazine Vol. 1 (#1 - 10) |
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